Emballage de glace carbonique jetable pour l'expédition de produits congelés – Avantages, Dimensionnement, 2025 Tendances

Emballage de glace carbonique jetable pour les envois congelés: Pourquoi ça compte

Shipping frozen goods demands a solution that keeps products rocksolid while minimising mess and complying with hazardous material rules. UN disposable dry ice wrap combines a reflective or insulating sleeve with solid carbon dioxide (glace carbonique) qui se sublime à −78,5 °C. Contrairement aux blocs en vrac ou aux packs de gel, l'emballage sécurise la neige carbonique, évacue le gaz en toute sécurité et maintient des températures ultra froides pendant 24 à 72 heures. Ce guide démystifie le fonctionnement des emballages de glace carbonique, quand les utiliser, comment les dimensionner et les emballer, et quelles réglementations et facteurs de durabilité prendre en compte.

Qu'est-ce qui définit un emballage de glace carbonique jetable et en quoi diffère-t-il des packs de gel et autres réfrigérants?

Comment calculer la bonne quantité de neige carbonique pour 24 heures, 48 and 72hour shipments using simple field formulas

Stepbystep packing instructions to reduce temperature spikes and protect your payload

Regulatory requirements, safety practices and labeling guidelines for dry ice shipments

Innovations and market trends for 2025 that make dry ice wraps more efficient and sustainable

What Exactly Is a Disposable Dry Ice Wrap and How Does It Work?

A disposable dry ice wrap is a breathable pouch or sleeve lined with reflective or insulated material that holds solid dry ice (co₂ solide). La glace sèche sublime directement du solide au gaz, absorbing heat as it does so. Because the wrap traps the dry ice and vents CO₂ gas, it prevents pressure buildup and protects the product from frostbite, unlike loose pellets that can directly burn packaging or food. When paired with thick insulation, a wrap can keep cargo below −10 °C for 48–72 hours—far longer than gel packs. The reflective liner reduces radiant heat and the vented design prevents explosions, making dry ice wraps ideal for frozen meat, glace, seafood and biologics.

Why Use Dry Ice Wraps Instead of Loose Dry Ice or Gel Packs?

Ultracold temperature range: Dry ice maintains temperatures from about −78 °C up to −10 °C, enabling deep freezing of meats, seafood and ice cream. Gel packs typically hold 2–8 °C and are insufficient for products that must remain frozen.

Clean and moisturefree: La glace sèche sublime dans le gaz co₂, leaving no liquid puddles. Gel packs thaw to water, which can leak and damage packaging.

Space efficiency: Dry ice has over twice the cooling energy per pound and three times the cooling power per volume compared with water ice. This allows smaller, lighter packages and reduces shipping costs.

Conformité réglementaire: Wraps provide controlled venting and secure the dry ice, helping you meet airline and ground transport regulations. Loose blocks require more robust labeling and present greater risk of pressure buildup.

Types of Disposable Dry Ice Wraps

How Cold and How Long? Sizing Your Dry Ice Wrap

Understanding Key Factors

Several variables determine how much dry ice you need:

Payload size and insulation: Larger volumes and thin corrugate walls require more dry ice; highRvalue EPS or vacuum insulation panels (VIP) reduce heat ingress and can lower dry ice mass by 20–40 %.

Ambient temperature band: Mild routes (10–20 ° C), warm routes (20–30 ° C) et routes chaudes (30–40 °C) influence sublimation rate. Hotter environments burn CO₂ faster.

Durée: The longer the shipment, the greater the dry ice needed. Dry ice sublimates at roughly 5–10 lb (2.3–4,5 kg) per day depending on container quality.

Void space and venting: Unfilled space speeds up sublimation; fill voids with inserts to reduce airflow.

Field Rule for Quick Sizing

A simple rule of thumb derived from cold chain tests is 0.8–1.9 kg of dry ice per 10 L of internal volume per 24 heures, depending on route temperature:

Mild routes (10–20 ° C): 0.8–1.0 kg per 10 L per day.

Warm routes (20–30 ° C): 1.0–1.4 kg per 10 L per day.

Routes chaudes (30–40 °C): 1.4–1.9 kg per 10 L per day.

Example calculation: Pour un 24 L box traveling on a warm route for 48 heures, multiply 1.2 kg (average of warm band) × (24 L ÷ 10) × 2 days ≈ 5.8 kg de glace sèche. Add a 10–20 % buffer for delays and lid openings.

Carrierspecific Guidelines and Limits

Carriers often impose weight limits and surcharges for dry ice:

Expéditions aériennes: Many airlines cap dry ice at 5.5 kg (2.5 kg) par forfait. UPS notes that five to ten pounds can sublimate every 24 heures, so they recommend adding an extra day of dry ice to cover delays.

Ground shipments: There is no universal weight cap, but you must vent the package and follow DOT or local rules.

Dry ice replenishment: UPS Healthcare™ suggests calculating the amount based on container insulation and factoring in an extra 24 hours to cover delays.

Choosing the Right Form (Dalles, Pellets or Sheets)

Dalles: Release CO₂ slowly; ideal for longer hauls of 48 heures ou plus.

Boulettes: Fill irregular voids and provide rapid cooling but sublimate quickly; best for initial chill or when used with gel packs.

Scored sheets: Flexible sheets that you can cut to size; provide uniform coverage and moderate hold time.

StepbyStep Packing: Building a Frozen Shipment that Lasts

Correct packing reduces hot spots and prolongs frozen hold time. Suivez ces étapes:

Prestage the shipper: Place a bottom pad and corner inserts to reduce convective currents.

Prepare the payload: Wrap your product in a dry ice wrap sleeve, expel excess air and ensure the contents are prefrozen or chilled to shipping temperature. Prechilling reduces the initial heat load.

Add side insulation: Insert side panels or dunnage to minimise void space.

Topload dry ice: Place the dry ice wrap or packs above the product so cold air sinks down. Break large blocks into smaller pieces for even sublimation.

Évacuer le couvercle: Crack the lid or punch vent holes. Do not seal the box airtight—CO₂ expansion can cause explosions.

Étiqueter correctement: Mark the package “Dry Ice (Et 1845), net ___ kg.” Include sender/recipient information and emergency contact numbers.

Weigh and record: Weigh the final package to verify dry ice mass and record the data for replenishment and regulatory documents.

Layout Tips to Avoid Hot Spots

Keep at least 1 cm clearance between the dry ice wrap and outer walls to prevent sweating and cardboard softening.

For fragile desserts, add a thin corrugated shelf below the CO₂ layer to distribute weight.

Use bright “Vent Before Opening” stickers to warn receivers and reduce the risk of suffocation when unboxing.

Disposable Dry Ice Wrap vs Gel Packs vs PCM: Choosing the Right Refrigerant

When to choose each:

Use dry ice wraps when the product must stay below –10 °C; they deliver the longest hold time per liter and keep goods rock solid. Cependant, they require hazardous labeling and careful venting.

Use gel packs for chilled shipments or when the product must not freeze; they are inexpensive, reusable and free of hazardous classification.

Use PCMs for precise temperature control or when reusability is critical; they avoid CO₂ handling but cost more per pack.

Hybrid combinations: For long routes or sensitive items, combine a small dry ice wrap with PCM or gel packs. The dry ice provides an initial ultracold environment, while PCM buffers the temperature as the dry ice sublimates.

Safety and Regulatory Requirements

Shipping with dry ice is safe when you follow regulations and good practices. These rules protect handlers and recipients from frostbite, asphyxiation and explosions.

Hazards and Safe Practices

Étiquetage et documentation

Et 1845 et classe 9 étiquette: Mark packages containing dry ice “Carbon Dioxide, solide,” display the UN1845 identifier and state the net weight in kilograms..

Venting requirement: Puncture holes or provide a vented lid to allow CO₂ gas to escape. Never seal dry ice in an airtight box.

Documentation: Air waybills must reflect dry ice presence; carriers may require an International Special Commodities (Isc) contract and limit perpackage dry ice weight. Hauts, Par exemple, recommends compliance with 49 CFR 173.217 and IATA Packing Instruction 954.

Entraînement: Anyone handling or packing dry ice must receive hazard awareness training. This includes understanding sublimation, manipulation sûre, disposal and emergency procedures.

Sizing and Cost: RealWorld Examples and Budget Considerations

Dry ice consumption and cost are influenced by insulation quality, ambient conditions and route length. Here are practical scenarios based on a retail price of $1.60–$3.00 per pound (0.45 kg).

MoneySaving Tips

Bulk buy with partners: Pool orders to get discounted rates from local suppliers.

Reuse wraps when possible: Dry the sleeve after each use; many commercial wraps last several shipments.

Combine cooling methods: Use gel or PCM packs alongside dry ice to reduce total CO₂ and manage temperature overshoot.

Optimise box size: Plus petit, fully packed containers stay colder and require less dry ice.

Compliance and Regulatory Checklist

Verify that the total dry ice weight does not exceed carrier limits (souvent 5.5 lb for air shipments).

Use packaging that tolerates −78.5 °C and allows gas release.

Apply “Dry Ice (Et 1845)” labels and net weight; include sender, consignee and emergency contacts.

Ensure any accompanying shipping documents (air waybills, declarations) reference dry ice and include hazard statements.

Train staff on safe handling, venting and disposal.

Keep packages in ventilated areas during storage and transit; crack vehicle windows when transporting by car.

2025 Tendances: Innovations and Market Insights

The dry ice market is evolving quickly due to supply constraints, sustainability goals and technological advances. Here’s what to expect in 2025:

Technology and Materials

Fiberbased wraps with reflective films: New fiber composites provide radiant shielding without petroleumbased plastics, aligning with circular economy goals.

Aerogel and VIP liners: High Rvalue materials reduce heat ingress, enabling shippers to cut dry ice mass by up to 30 %.

Smart monitors and IoT: Affordable Bluetooth miniloggers and sensors track temperature and humidity in real time. Routeaware kitting tools automatically adjust dry ice quantities based on weather and transit time.

Systèmes de refroidissement hybrides: Combining dry ice with PCMs or gel packs allows staged temperature control, reducing CO₂ consumption while protecting sensitive products.

Automation and robotics: Highvolume packing lines now use robots to assemble wraps and fill boxes, improving consistency and reducing labor.

Sustainability and Supply

Renewable CO₂ sources: Manufacturers are capturing CO₂ from bioethanol fermentation and carbon capture technology to create more sustainable dry ice..

Recyclable liners and takeback programs: Ecofriendly wraps made with biodegradable films and recyclable insulation are gaining traction.

Localised production: To address supply shortages (dry ice demand grows ~5 % annually while CO₂ supply increases only 0.5 %), companies are building regional production hubs and emphasising justintime manufacturing.

Customer expectations: Frozen ecommerce customers prioritise product integrity over low shipping fees. A onepoint reduction in claim rates pays for stronger dry ice wrap recipes across the board.

FAQ: Common Questions About Dry Ice Wraps for Frozen Shipments

Q1: How long will a disposable dry ice wrap keep my shipment frozen?
Hold times depend on sizing and conditions. As a rule, plan 1.0–1.4 kg of dry ice per 10 L pour 24 hours for warm routes. Proper toploading and venting can keep items below −10 °C for 24–72 hours.

Q2: Can I ship by air using a dry ice wrap?
Oui. You must label the package “Dry Ice (Et 1845), net ___ kg,” vent the container and comply with airline weight limits (souvent 5.5 kg). Some carriers require an International Special Commodities contract.

Q3: Will dry ice affect the taste or quality of my food?
Dry ice is foodsafe when handled correctly, but it can make cardboard brittle. Always wrap the product in the dry ice sleeve and avoid direct contact between dry ice and food.

Q4: What is the best way to dispose of unused dry ice after delivery?
Place the remaining dry ice in a wellventilated area and allow it to sublimate naturally. Do not place it in sinks or enclosed containers.

Q5: How does a dry ice wrap compare to a PCM pack for pharmaceuticals?
PCMs deliver specific temperature bands (2–8 °C or −20 °C) et sont réutilisables; they avoid hazardous labels but cost more per pack. Dry ice wraps produce ultracold temperatures and are ideal for frozen goods but require hazmat compliance.

Résumé: Principaux à retenir

Definition & Avantages: Disposable dry ice wraps secure solid CO₂ in a reflective sleeve, delivering ultracold temperatures without melting. They produce no moisture and reduce the risk of pressure buildup.

Sizing Rule: Utiliser 0.8–1.9 kg of dry ice per 10 L pour 24 heures depending on ambient conditions. Always include a 10–20 % tampon.

Packing Method: Prechill contents, shrink voids, topload dry ice, vent the lid and label “UN 1845”.

Conformité réglementaire: Follow DOT/IATA rules, mark net CO₂ weight, provide ventilation and train staff. Air shipments are often limited to 5.5 LB de glace sèche.

Tendances futures: Expect greener wraps, smarter sensors, hybrid cooling systems and renewable CO₂ sources to dominate in 2025.

Étapes suivantes

Évaluez les besoins en température de votre produit: Does it need to stay below −10 °C? Si oui, a dry ice wrap is suitable; otherwise consider gel or PCM packs.

Measure your box: Calculate internal volume in litres and identify route temperature (bénin, warm or hot). Use the field rule to estimate required dry ice and add a safety margin.

Choose the right wrap format: Select slabs for long hauls, pellets for quick chill or scored sheets for irregular shapes.

Follow the packing steps: Pré-refroidissement, wrap the payload, topload dry ice, vent and label. Record weight and train handlers.

Experiment and optimise: Run a data logger test on a challenging route. Compare hold time and claims with current methods. Use results to standardise recipes and refine kit sizes.

À propos du tempk

Rotation is a cold chain solutions provider specialising in boîtes d'expédition isolées, dry ice wraps, packs de gel et matériaux à changement de phase. Nous help food and lifescience brands deliver their products fresh and safe by developing highRvalue insulation et vented wraps that optimise dry ice use. Our team provides routebased packout testing and compliance support, ensuring your shipments remain frozen while meeting regulatory requirements. If you need tailored advice or custom packaging, contact us for a free consultation.