Pack de glace vs glace sèche: Quelle solution de refroidissement est la meilleure pour l'expédition de la chaîne froide 2025?

Lors de l'expédition de marchandises sensibles à la température, choosing between ice packs and dry ice can be pivotal to ensuring the quality and safety of your shipment. Ice pack vs dry ice—which one is right for your specific needs? This article breaks down the key differences in cooling capabilities, règlements, and costs to help you make an informed decision for your cold chain shipments.

• What is the main difference between ice packs and dry ice?

• How to determine which solution fits your shipping needs?

• What are the key safety and shipping regulations for each?

• What’s new in 2025 for cold chain shipping?

What Are the Key Differences Between Ice Packs and Dry Ice?

When comparing ice packs vs dry ice, the main distinction lies in their cooling duration, temperature range, and handling requirements.

Dry Ice for Extreme Cooling

Glace sèche (co₂ solide) reaches an extremely low temperature of -78.5°C (-109°F), making it ideal for shipping frozen goods such as seafood, viande, et certains produits pharmaceutiques. It sublimates into gas, leaving no liquid residue behind, which helps avoid potential water damage.

Cependant, handling dry ice requires special care. EPP (Personal Protective Equipment) such as insulated gloves and ventilation for CO₂ gas are essential to ensure safety. En plus, shipping with dry ice requires compliance with strict shipping regulations due to its hazardous nature. You must ensure that the shipping container is vented and properly labeled.

Ice Packs for Chilled Goods

Packs de glace, ou packs de gel, are often used for chilled goods that need to stay within a 2°C à 8°C temperature range. These packs can be refrozen and reused multiple times, making them cost-effective for routine shipments. They are ideal for shipping fresh produce, boissons, and pharmaceuticals that require refrigeration, but not freezing.

Cependant, ice packs generally have a shorter cooling duration compared to dry ice. While they can keep goods cool for 12–48 heures depending on the quantity and insulation, they are not effective for deep freezing.

When Should You Use Ice Packs vs Dry Ice?

For Short-Term Shipments: Use Ice Packs

Packs de glace are excellent for short-term shipments (24–48 heures), especially for goods that need to remain chilled, tel que médicaments, boissons, or dairy. They are simple to handle, non toxique, and don’t require hazardous material handling or special shipping labels.

Use ice packs if:

• Your goods need to stay chilled at 2°C à 8°C.

• The shipping time is under 48 heures.

• You want a more cost-effective and reusable solution.

• No special safety precautions are required.

For Long-Duration Shipments: Utiliser la glace sèche

Glace sèche is ideal for products requiring deep freezing pour de longues périodes. It excels in long-distance shipments (sur 48 heures) or where extended freezing is necessary.

Use dry ice if:

• You need to keep products frozen solid (below -18°C).

• Your shipment duration exceeds 48 heures.

• You have the ability to handle and ship hazardous materials.

2025 Tendances de l'expédition de la chaîne du froid: What’s Changing?

Dans 2025, the cold chain industry is evolving with new technologies aimed at improving performance, durabilité, and compliance.

Matériaux à changement de phase (PCMS) – The Future of Ice Packs

PCMS are rapidly becoming a popular alternative to traditional ice packs. These matériels can be engineered to melt at specific temperatures (Par exemple, +5°C or -20°C), offre longer-lasting cooling than standard gel packs. PCMS are particularly useful for temperature-sensitive goods that require precise temperature maintenance over extended periods.

Eco-Friendly Packaging Solutions

The cold chain industry is shifting towards sustainable packaging solutions, tel que biodegradable insulation materials et plant-based gels. These innovations aim to reduce single-use plastics et CO₂ emissions, aligning with the global push for greener practices.

Real-Time Monitoring for Enhanced Safety and Transparency

As cold chain technology advances, real-time temperature monitoring is becoming increasingly common. With the integration of Bluetooth-enabled trackers et AI-driven platforms, businesses can monitor the temperature of shipments in real time, preventing potential temperature excursions.

Safety and Handling Guidelines for Ice Packs and Dry Ice

Dry Ice Safety Precautions

Manutention glace carbonique requires caution due to its extreme cold. Toujours porter gants isolés, and never handle it with bare hands to avoid gelure. Ensure your containers are properly ventilé to allow the CO₂ gas to escape and prevent pressure buildup.

Ice Pack Safety

Ice packs are safer to handle but still require caution. Make sure the packs are properly sealed to avoid leakage. Avoid ingestion of the gel inside, especially if the pack is punctured. Always dispose of gel packs responsibly according to their SDS (Safety Data Sheets).

Conclusion et recommandations

In summary, whether you choose glace carbonique ou packs de glace depends on the specific needs of your shipment. For long-duration, frozen goods, dry ice is the superior choice, offering ultra-cold temperatures and a longer cooling window. For chilled items or shorter trips, packs de glace are ideal due to their cost-effectiveness et réutilisabilité.

Étapes suivantes:

1. Assess Your Product’s Temperature Needs: Does it need to stay frozen or just chilled?

2. Determine Your Shipping Duration: Consider how long the shipment will take and the risks involved.

3. Choose Your Cooling Method: Pour les articles surgelés, choose glace carbonique; for chilled items, go with packs de glace.

4. Optimize Packaging: Utiliser high-performance insulation to maximize cooling efficiency.

5. Train Your Team: Ensure staff are trained in handling dry ice safely, including compliance with regulations.

For more personalized cold chain packaging solutions, reach out to Rotation, a leader in the field offering advanced cooling materials et customized solutions for every cold chain need.