Getting a delicate shipment across Europe often feels like navigating a maze of rules and variables. UN Europe dry ice pack solves the temperature challenge by keeping goods at ultra low temperatures while complying with 2025 règlements. You’ll discover how these specialised packs maintain product quality, meet tough ADR and IATA rules and align with new EU packaging laws. We’ll look at real market data, compare dry ice with gel and phase change materials and provide tips tailored to your shipment needs.
Choose the right Europe dry ice pack for your product while complying with ADR and IATA regulations.
Understand how dry ice packs work and why sublimation is key to keeping goods frozen in transit.
Navigate new EU packaging and waste laws that come into force in 2025–2026.
Compare dry ice packs with gel packs and phase change materials, highlighting temperature ranges and sustainability.
Explore market trends and growth forecasts for Europe’s cold chain and dry ice industries.
Find answers to common questions about handling, disposal and regulatory compliance specific to Europe.
Why choose a Europe dry ice pack for shipping in 2025?
Dry ice packs provide reliable, ultra cold conditions for high value shipments in Europe. They maintain temperatures well below freezing without liquid melt, making them ideal for vaccines, biologique, seafood and gourmet desserts. Compared to loose dry ice pellets, dry ice packs are pre sealed and easier to handle; they minimise CO₂ vapour release and reduce frostbite risk. When saturated, a pack keeps its shape and can be stacked neatly in insulated boxes, saving space and weight. This combination of cold stability and convenience explains why dry ice packs are increasingly popular for cross border shipments.
Europe’s diverse climate and stringent regulations mean shippers need a solution that balances performance and compliance. ADR (European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) and IATA rules govern dry ice because it’s classified as a hazardous material. Carriers like UPS remind customers that ground shipments must comply with ADR and air shipments must follow IATA rules; packaging must be correctly marked, labelled and documented. Dry ice packs simplify compliance because they are standardized and often incorporate proper labeling and weight markings from the manufacturer, but shippers still need to follow the rules described below.
How dry ice packs keep products frozen across Europe
La glace sèche est un dioxyde de carbone solide. It sublimates directly from a solid to a gas at 78.5 °C ( 109.3 °F), absorbing heat and leaving no liquid residue. A dry ice pack encases this solid CO₂ in a leak proof composite film. The pack’s outer layer protects the user’s hands and equipment, while a super absorbent polymer matrix traps the CO₂ crystals. Comme la glace sèche sublime, it draws heat from the surroundings, maintaining sub freezing temperatures for 24–72 heures, en fonction de la taille du paquet et de l'isolation. Because there is no melting water, there is less risk of damaging packaging or product labels.
The flexibility of dry ice packs is particularly valuable in the European logistics network. Cross border trucks, trains and last mile deliveries experience variable transit times; packs can be layered or combined with foam insulation to prolong cooling periods. Contrairement aux packs de gel, which freeze into solid bricks, dry ice packs remain flexible after freezing, making them easier to position around irregular items and enabling better contact with product surfaces. Their lightweight design reduces shipping costs compared with heavier alternativeseuropeanbusinessreview.com.
Tableau: Dry ice pack features and what they mean for you
| Fonctionnalité | Pourquoi ça compte | Votre avantage |
| Sub zero temperature | Maintains 60 °C to 40 °C ranges depending on pack type | Keeps vaccines, seafood and research samples deeply frozen without thawing |
| Leak proof composite film | Prevents CO₂ crystals from escaping while allowing gas venting | Reduces frostbite risk and avoids dangerous gas build up |
| Flexible after freezing | Pack remains pliable, unlike hard dry ice blocks | Easy to wrap around irregular products and optimise spaceeuropeanbusinessreview.com |
| Lightweight structure | Uses thin layers and a polymer matrix | Lowers shipping costs and improves handlingeuropeanbusinessreview.com |
| Non hazardous alternative packs available | Some packs encase CO₂ snow within sealed cells, classifying them as non hazardous | Can bypass certain ADR/IATA requirements and avoid hazmat fees |
Practical tips and advice
Pre condition your product: Chill or freeze goods before packing to minimise the cooling load on the dry ice pack.
Estimate duration carefully: One dry ice pack sheet (24 cellules) often provides about 12 hours of cooling for a 100 L container; longer trips require multiple sheets or larger packs.
Position strategically: Place packs around and on top of items to ensure even cooling; puits d'air froid, so top placement helps maintain uniform temperature.
Monitor and record temperatures: Use calibrated data loggers and real time monitoring devices as required by EU GDP guidelines
Check local regulations: Some EU countries have additional requirements beyond ADR and IATA; always confirm with carriers or competent authorities.
Real world case: A Los Angeles dessert company switched from loose dry ice to dry ice replacement pack sheets for shipments to Europe. By layering flexible packs within insulated boxes, they extended transit times from 36 à 60 hours while reducing CO₂ use by 20 % and avoiding hazmat fees. The change improved customer satisfaction because cakes arrived intact and frost free.
Navigating Europe’s regulations for dry ice shipping
Europe has a multilayered regulatory landscape for dry ice shipments. Understanding the rules helps you avoid fines, delays and product damage.
ADR and IATA: core rules for transporting dry ice
Dry ice is listed under UN 1845 (Dioxyde de carbone, solide) and is regulated as a classe 9 matières dangereuses. For road transport within Europe, le ADR agreement lays out packaging, labelling and documentation requirements. Pour le transport aérien, le IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) apply worldwide. Key points include:
Emballage ventilé: Packages must allow gaseous CO₂ to escape. Airtight containers are prohibited because pressure build up can cause explosions.
Weight limitations: Les expéditions aériennes ne peuvent pas dépasser 200 kg de glace sèche par colis. Some airlines impose lower limits or require special approval.
Marking and labeling: Each package must be marked “Carbon Dioxide, solid” or “Dry Ice,” display the UN number (Et 1845) et montrer le Poids net de la glace sèche. Packages must also bear a class 9 étiquette de danger.
Documentation: Shippers must provide a Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods when required and note the use of dry ice on the airway bill. Carriers may need an additional Intermodal/International Special Commodity (Isc) agreement.
Carrier guidelines: Companies like FedEx, UPS and DHL have their own protocols. UPS notes that dry ice shipments may not require a dangerous goods contract if the contents are not fully regulated, but you must still have an ISC agreement and follow labelling and quantity limits.
EU Good Distribution Practice (PIB) for pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceutical shipments face stricter requirements. EU GDP guidelines emphasise maintaining product quality through all stages of distribution. Key provisions include:
Temperature mapping and validation: Storage areas and transport vehicles must undergo temperature mapping and validation (Operational Qualification and Performance Qualification) to prove they maintain required ranges
Validated containers: Temperature sensitive medicines must be stored and transported in containers that maintain 2–8 °C or 15–25 °C for controlled drugs. Any deviations must be documented and investigated
Quality management system: Companies must implement quality management systems that include supplier qualification, training and documented procedures. They should calibrate data loggers and use real time monitoring systems to detect
Documentation and traceability: Records of packaging validation, shipping routes and temperature data must be kept for regulatory inspection.
New EU packaging and packaging waste rules (PPWR)
Le Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) 2025/40 replaced much of the earlier Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. The regulation entered into force on 11 Février 2025 and will apply generally from Août 2026. Its objectives are to make all packaging on the EU market recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030, safely increase the use of recycled plastics and reduce virgin materials to put the sector on track toward climate neutrality. The PPWR includes:
Restrictions on single use plastics and substances of concern: Condiment sachets and similar single use items are restricted, and substances like PFAS are limited if they exceed thresholds.
Recyclability requirements: Packaging must meet design for recyclability criteria; depuis 2030, packaging with a recyclability rate below 70 % may not be placed on the market. Deposit return schemes and reusable packaging incentives are encouraged.
Waste reduction goals: EU statistics show that 40 % of plastics used in the Union are for packaging and roughly 186.5 kg of waste per person was generated in 2022. The PPWR aims to cut this waste by promoting reuse, recycling and reduction.
Packaging directive recycling targets
Even though the PPWR supersedes much of Directive 94/62/EC, some provisions remain relevant. The directive set recycling targets for different materials: par 31 Décembre 2025, 50 % of plastic packaging and 70 % of metals and glass must be recycled; par 2030, au moins 70 % of all packaging waste must be recycled. For businesses shipping with dry ice packs, these targets encourage the use of recyclable outer cartons, biodegradable insulation and reusable gel or PCM alternatives.
Selecting the right dry ice pack: factors and formulas
Choosing the optimal dry ice pack requires balancing three variables: plage de température, durée et regulatory classification. Considérez les facteurs suivants:
Product temperature requirements: Ultra cold pharmaceuticals (Par exemple, mRNA vaccines or cellular therapies) need temperatures below 60 °C. Pour les aliments surgelés, the target is typically 20 °C to 40 °C. Dry ice pack sheets deliver the latter range, while cryogenic gel packs or small amounts of dry ice may be necessary for deeper cold.
Shipping duration and volume: For long European journeys (>48 heures), estimate one 24 cell dry ice sheet per 12 hours of cooling for every 100 L of container volume. For short trips or small parcels, a single gel pack may suffice.
Classification des dangers: Packs that encase CO₂ crystals inside sealed cells are often classified as non hazardous, meaning they may not require dangerous goods declarations. This can simplify compliance, but confirm classification with the manufacturer.
Reusability and sustainability: Reusable PCM plates or gel packs have higher upfront costs but can be cycled multiple times, reducing waste and long term expenseshipmercury.com. Dry ice packs are typically single use but can be recycled through appropriate collection programs.
Tableau: Comparing dry ice packs, gel packs and phase change materials (PCMS)
| Cooling method | Plage de températures typique | Durée | Hazmat status | Durabilité | Mieux pour |
| Paquet de glace sec | -60 °C à -40 °C | 36–72 heures | Dangereux (Et 1845) unless fully encased | Single use; CO₂ EMISSIONS | Ultra cold foods, urgent pharmaceutical shipments |
| Pack de gel (water based) | 0 °C à -10 °C | 12–48 heures | Non hazardous | Reusable but prone to melting and weight | Produits frais, laitier, kits de repas |
| PCM (phase change material) | +2 °C à -20 °C depending on formulationshipmercury.com | 24–96 hours | Non hazardous | Réutilisable; can be engineered for specific temperatures | Vaccins, biologique, high value drugs |
User oriented recommendations
Perishable foods: For frozen seafood or meat, use dry ice packs in combination with foam or vacuum insulation. Add at least one pack per day of transit and tape the lid loosely to allow ventilation.
Pharmaceuticals and biologics: Combine cryogenic gel packs or PCMs with validated temperature loggers. Use regulated containers and follow EU GDP guidelines for documentation and monitoring
E commerce and meal kits: Gel packs may suffice for overnight delivery; for 2–3 days, consider dry ice packs but ensure customers understand handling instructions.
Research specimens: For ultra cold biological samples (< 70 °C), dry ice packs or small amounts of loose dry ice in vented containers are necessary. Ensure compliance with IATA documentation requirements.
Practical example: A biotech firm shipping gene editing materials from Germany to Spain required consistent 70 °C températures. They used a combination of dry ice packs and PCM plates, accompanied by a data logger. This hybrid approach maintained the required temperature for 60 hours and complied with ADR and IATA rules. The firm avoided product loss and satisfied EU GDP requirements by providing full temperature records.
Market outlook and trends for dry ice and cold chain logistics in Europe
Understanding market dynamics helps businesses plan investments and packaging strategies.
Growth of Europe’s cold chain logistics market
Le European food cold chain logistics market is estimated at USD 74.70 milliards en 2025 et devrait grandir pour USD 114.78 milliards 2030, représentant un compound annual growth rate (TCAC) of about 8.97 %. Frozen meat and poultry lead product segments, while refrigerated transportation accounts for more than half of revenue. Germany remains the largest market, but Poland and other eastern countries show rapid growth thanks to e commerce expansion and cross border trade.
Dry ice market developments
Le Europe dry ice market was valued at USD 89.39 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a TCAC de 5.2 % depuis 2025 à 2032, reaching roughly USD 134.10 million by 2032. Pellet form currently holds the largest share due to its high density and suitability for food and beverage applications. The industrial segment dominates at about 57 %, while transportation, including pharmaceuticals and online food deliveries, is expanding rapidly. This growth signals increasing demand for dry ice packs and encourages investment in supply chains.
Key trends shaping Europe’s cold chain in 2025 et au-delà
Sustainability and circular economy: With the PPWR requiring all packaging to be recyclable by 2030, manufacturers are redesigning dry ice pack materials to reduce virgin plastics, incorporate recycled content and facilitate reuse. Reusable PCM plates and gel packs reduce waste and carbon footprint, aligning with EU targets.
Digital temperature monitoring: Hydropac notes that calibrated data loggers and real time monitoring systems are essential for maintaining quality and regulatory resilience IoT sensors transmit data to dashboards, allowing shippers to intervene if temperatures deviate.
Automation and smart packaging: Automated packaging lines, pre conditioned pack dispensers and RFID tagged containers streamline operations and reduce human error. Some carriers integrate blockchain to record chain of custody information, enhancing traceability.
Alternative refrigerants and dry ice replacement: Growing awareness of CO₂ shortages and hazmat restrictions has spurred innovation. Packs de remplacement de glace carbonique—pack sheets containing sealed CO₂ crystals or cryogenic gel packs—offer 60 °C to 20 °C ranges with 36–72+ hour duration and are classified as non hazardous. Case studies show they reduce hazmat fees and CO₂ usage. PCMs offer energy efficient, reusable alternatives that maintain specific temperature bandsshipmercury.com.
Regulatory convergence: ADR updates for 2025 align more closely with UN Model Regulations, clarifying classification, packaging and documentation. Combined with the PPWR, these changes push companies to adopt standardised, environmentally friendly packaging.
Questions fréquemment posées
Q1: Is a Europe dry ice pack considered hazardous?
Dry ice itself is classified as a hazardous material under UN 1845, so if the pack contains unencapsulated solid CO₂, it falls under ADR/IATA rules. Some dry ice replacement packs encase CO₂ in sealed cells, classifying them as non hazardous and exempt from many regulations. Always check the manufacturer’s safety data sheet.
Q2: How much dry ice do I need for a two day shipment from France to Italy?
A common rule is one 24 cell dry ice sheet per 12 hours of cooling for every 100 L of container volume. Pour un 50 L cooler over two days (48 heures), two sheets should suffice. Adjust based on insulation quality and ambient temperatures.
Q3: Puis-je réutiliser les packs de glace sec?
Most dry ice packs are designed for single use because the CO₂ sublimes completely. Reusable alternatives exist—cryogenic gel packs and PCM plates—that can be refrozen and reused multiple timesshipmercury.com. These reduce waste and cost over time.
Q4: What are the new EU packaging waste rules and how do they affect me?
Le PPWR (UE) 2025/40 requires all packaging to be recyclable by 2030 and restricts single use plastics and harmful substances. Businesses must design packaging to meet recyclability thresholds and may need to participate in deposit return or reuse schemes.
Q5: How does a dry ice pack compare with a gel pack for meal delivery?
Dry ice packs maintain much colder temperatures ( 60 °C to 40 °C), which may be unnecessary for meal kits. Gel packs provide 0 °C to 10 °C cooling for 12–48 hours and are generally adequate for food deliveries, lighter and non hazardous.
Conclusion and recommendations
Summary of key points:
Dry ice packs are a powerful tool for maintaining ultra cold temperatures in Europe’s complex logistics network. They provide flexible, leak proof and lightweight cold control pendant 24 à 72 heures, making them ideal for frozen foods, pharmaceuticals and research specimenseuropeanbusinessreview.com. ADR and IATA regulations mandate vented packaging, étiquettes claires, weight limits and documentation. Le EU GDP guidelines require validated containers, temperature mapping and real time monitoring for pharmaceuticals New packaging waste rules (PPWR) demand recyclable packaging by 2030 and restrict certain single use plastics. Market data shows that Europe’s cold chain logistics and dry ice markets are growing rapidly, while sustainable alternatives like PCMs and dry ice replacement packs gain tractionshipmercury.com.
Prochaines étapes réalisables:
Assess your product’s temperature requirements and shipping duration. Use the one sheet per 12 hours per 100 L rule as a starting point.
Select appropriate packaging: Combine dry ice packs with insulated containers that meet ADR/IATA venting and labelling standards. For non hazardous shipments, consider dry ice replacement packs or PCM plates to simplify compliance.
Implement monitoring systems: Invest in calibrated data loggers and IoT solutions to track temperatures and comply with EU GDP requirements
Review your packaging design: Ensure outer packaging is recyclable and reusable to meet PPWR targets. Consider deposit return schemes or leasing arrangements to reduce waste.
Stay informed on regulations: Monitor updates to ADR, IATA and EU packaging laws, and adjust your processes accordingly. Work with carriers and regulatory experts to maintain compliance.
À propos du tempk
Tempk is a specialist in temperature controlled packaging for cold chain logistics. We design and manufacture dry ice packs, gel packs and PCM solutions that maintain precise temperature ranges for pharmaceuticals, food and research materials. Our engineers develop léger, leak proof packs that comply with ADR and IATA rules and align with EU sustainability goals. With our in house testing and calibration facilities, we help clients validate packaging, monitor temperatures and meet EU GDP and PPWR requirements.
Appel à l'action: If you need guidance on selecting the right Europe dry ice pack or want to explore sustainable alternatives, contacter Tempk. We offer custom solutions, regulatory support and real time monitoring tools to safeguard your products throughout the cold chain journey.
