Un outdoor dry ice pack sheet acts like a portable freezer, combining a flexible insulating sheet with dry ice to maintain ultra low temperatures. Whether you’re shipping frozen meats, sending vaccine kits or keeping food cold on a camping trip, you’ll need to understand weight ratios, safe handling and the latest 2025 tendances. Glace sèche, la forme solide de dioxyde de carbone, sublimates at –78.5 °C and provides deep freeze cooling. Cependant, it is classified as a hazardous material; packages must allow gas venting and adhere to strict labeling rules. This guide will show you how to choose, pack and use outdoor dry ice pack sheets safely and explore new alternatives such as phase change materials (PCM) and reusable packaging.
What is an outdoor dry ice pack sheet and how does it work in the cold chain?
How do you use outdoor dry ice sheets safely and what are the regulatory requirements?
When should you choose dry ice sheets versus gel packs or PCM packs?
How much dry ice should you use for various payload weights and shipping durations?
What are the latest trends in cold chain packaging and sustainable alternatives in 2025?
What is an outdoor dry ice pack sheet and why use one?
A dry ice pack sheet combines flexible insulation with dry ice to keep products frozen outdoors. The sheet is typically made from absorbent textile or polymer pockets that hold dry ice pellets. When exposed to ambient air, dry ice sublimates—turning directly from solid to gas—creating a continuous cold source without leaving liquid residue. Because it maintains temperatures around –109 °F (–78,5 ° C), it’s ideal for transporting ice cream, viandes surgelées, biotech samples and other products that must remain below 0 °F.
How does sublimation make dry ice sheets effective?
Sublimation ensures even, ultra low cooling: dry ice absorbs heat from the payload as it changes from solid carbon dioxide to gas. Contrairement à la glace d'eau, qui fond en liquide, dry ice leaves no residue and prevents soggy packaging. Because carbon dioxide gas expands rapidly, the sheet must be placed in a vented container to prevent pressure build up. The gas also displaces oxygen, which can slow microbial growth, further protecting perishable goods.
Fiches de glace sèches vs. loose dry ice pellets
| Fonctionnalité | Feuille de glace carbonique | Loose Dry Ice Pellets | Pourquoi ça compte |
| Structure | Fabric or polymer sheet with pockets holding dry ice | Loose pellets or blocks | Sheets prevent pellets from moving around, giving uniform coverage |
| Flexibilité | Can be wrapped around products or line box walls | Requires rigid container | Sheets provide better contact and insulation |
| Manutention | Reduced direct contact with dry ice, plus sûr à gérer | Direct pellet handling risk frostbite | Sheets integrate gloves and minimize exposure |
| Réutilisabilité | Some sheets are reusable with new dry ice | Pellets are single use | Sheets reduce waste and cost over time |
| Propreté | No loose pieces, less contamination | Pellets can scatter and contaminate goods | Important for food and pharmaceuticals |
Tips and practical advice
Wrap your product tightly: Use moisture resistant packaging or vacuum seal to prevent freezer burn when packing meat or seafood. Extra insulation, like a thermal bag, protects items from direct contact with dry ice.
Vent your container: Always store dry ice sheets in a vented cooler or insulated box. Never seal them in airtight containers.
Use insulated liners: Pair sheets with insulated liners to slow sublimation, prolonging cooling for up to 72 heures.
Real world example: A meal kit company uses custom dry ice sheets to ship frozen steaks during summer. They wrap the meat in vacuum sealed pouches and insert two 10 lb dry ice sheets—one above and one below the cargo. The payload remains frozen for 48 heures; the company found that using equal weight dry ice to product weight extends shipping time.
How to use outdoor dry ice pack sheets safely?
Safety is paramount when working with dry ice because it is extremely cold and sublimates into carbon dioxide gas. The following guidelines, drawn from university safety fact sheets and international regulations, ensure safe handling and legal compliance.
Gas venting and packaging integrity
The Pace University dry ice shipping fact sheet highlights that packages must allow release of carbon dioxide gas and should never be sealed in airtight containers. Packages must be strong enough to withstand handling and resist vibration or temperature changes. Avoid plastics that become brittle at low temperatures; instead, use containers designed specifically for dry ice. Packaging should also secure the inner payload so it doesn’t move as the dry ice sublimates.
Personal protective equipment (EPP)
La glace sèche peut provoquer des engelures au contact. The Insulated Products Corporation recommends using loose fitting, thermally insulated gloves and tongs Pour gérer la glace sèche. Never handle dry ice with bare hands or allow it to touch your skin. Eye protection is recommended in case particles break off when cutting dry ice blocks.
Labeling and documentation
Because dry ice is classified as a hazardous material (Et 1845), shipments must follow strict documentation. The Pace University fact sheet notes that the airway bill must list the statement “Dry ice, 9, UN1845, number of packages X net weight in kilograms”. The outer container must be marked with «Dioxyde de carbone, solid” or “Dry Ice,” the shipper’s and receiver’s full addresses, et le poids net de neige carbonique. A hazard class 9 label is required on two opposing sides of the box. The IATA acceptance checklist restricts dry ice quantity to 200 kg par forfait and requires that packages be vented.
Weight limits and packaging calculations
To avoid overpacking or undercooling, follow these rules of thumb:
Overnight shipment: Pack half the weight of your product in dry ice (Par exemple, 5 lb dry ice for 10 lb payload).
48 hour shipment: Use equal weight dry ice and product.
72 hour shipment: Utiliser 1.5 times the weight of your product in dry ice.
General recommendation: 5 10 pounds (2.27 4.54 kg) de glace sèche par 24 heures.
Disposal and ventilation
Never dispose of dry ice in sinks or enclosed spaces. Comme il sublime, dry ice releases large volumes of carbon dioxide; store and dispose of it in well ventilated areas. Once all dry ice has sublimated, you can recycle or reuse the outer pack sheet if it remains intact.
Regulatory considerations
Shipments with more than 5.5 kg (2.5 kg) de glace sèche are subject to U.S. Ministère des Transports (49 CFR) and IATA rules. For smaller quantities (non medical shipments under 5.5 kg), minimal marking is required. Always consult your carrier for specific rules, as carriers may have additional restrictions.
When should you choose a dry ice pack sheet versus gel packs or PCMs?
Selecting the right refrigerant depends on your product’s temperature range and transit duration. Dry ice sheets, gel ice packs and phase change materials each have distinct characteristics.
Glace sèche vs. packs de glace en gel
Use dry ice sheets for products that need to remain frozen. Dry ice maintains ultra low temperatures around –109 °F and can lower product temperature quickly. This makes it ideal for ice cream, sorbet, frozen meats and seafood. Cependant, you should never pack dry ice with items sensitive to freezing—such as fresh produce, flowers or certain pharmaceuticals—because they can get damaged by extreme cold.
Use gel ice packs for goods that must stay chilled but not frozen. Gel packs are water based and have a melting point around 32 °F (0 °C); they help maintain the 2–8 °C range. Gel packs are suitable for vaccines, nourriture fraîche, chocolate or cosmetics that would be damaged by freezing. Because gel packs don’t require hazmat labeling and can be reused, they’re easier and more economical for many shipments.
| Réfrigérant | Plage de température | Mieux pour | Notes |
| Dry ice pack sheet | Keeps cargo below 0 °F (–17.8 °C) and can reach –109 °F (–78,5 ° C) | Glace, viandes surgelées, échantillons biologiques, deep frozen pharma | Dangereux; requires venting and special labels; single use |
| Pack de glace en gel | Maintains 2–8 °C range | Vaccins, produits frais, chocolat, produits de beauté | Non hazardous; réutilisable; cannot keep goods frozen |
| Phase change material (PCM) | Engineered temperature range (Par exemple, 2–8 °C or –20 °C) | Médicaments, biologique, clinical trial kits | Réutilisable; stable temperatures; non hazardous |
Deciding factors and hybrid approaches
Product sensitivity: Choose dry ice for items that must remain frozen throughout transit. Use gel packs or PCMs for chilled goods or items sensitive to freezing.
Transit duration: For shipments under 72 heures, gel packs or PCM may suffice. Dry ice provides longer deep freeze capacity but must be replenished if transit exceeds 72 heures.
Regulatory constraints: Dry ice shipments require hazardous goods training and documentation. PCM and gel packs avoid these regulations.
Durabilité: Dry ice is inexpensive per shipment but single use and contributes to CO₂ emissions. Reusable PCMs have higher upfront costs but reduce waste over time.
Exemple de cas: A biotech startup sends enzyme kits requiring –70 °C. They initially used gel packs but found temperature excursions. Switching to dry ice sheets maintained stability but increased hazmat compliance. Récemment, the company adopted PCM packs engineered to –20 °C combined with gel packs, balancing regulatory simplicity and temperature control.
How much dry ice should you use and how to pack it?
Proper quantity and placement ensure that your outdoor dry ice pack sheet maintains the desired temperature throughout transit.
Weight ratios and duration
Insulated Products Corporation provides a rule of thumb chart for dry ice quantity versus payload weight and shipping duration. Par exemple, a 10 lb payload requires 5 lb dry ice for a 12 hour trip, 10 lb for 24–48 hours, et 15 lb for 48–72 hours. The chart suggests positioning dry ice on top of the product; larger payloads may also require placement at the bottom.
Placement and layering
Top loading: Place the dry ice sheet on top of the cargo so cold air falls downward, enveloping the contents.
Couche inférieure: For shipments longer than 48 hours or payloads above 30 kg, add a second sheet beneath the product to maintain uniform cooling.
Use separators: Insert corrugated cardboard or foam between the dry ice sheet and the product to prevent direct contact and avoid freezer burn.
Practical packing steps
Pre condition the container: Chill or freeze your insulated container before loading to reduce initial temperature load.
Wrap your product: Use vacuum sealed or moisture resistant packaging.
Place insulation and dry ice: Line the bottom with an insulating sheet if shipping for >48 heures. Add the product, then cover it with the dry ice sheet. Ensure the sheet’s dry ice pockets face downward towards the product.
Combler les lacunes: Use foam or crumpled paper to prevent movement inside the box.
Sceller et étiqueter: Close the container securely but ensure it remains vented; affix hazard labels and documentation.
Small vs. large shipments
Petites expéditions (<5 lb de glace sèche): Under IATA rules, shipments below 5.5 kg (2.5 kg) require minimal marking. These are ideal for personal shipments like outdoor camping or meal kits.
Grandes expéditions: For volumes approaching the 200 kg per package limit, work with carriers experienced in hazardous materials and consider hybrid solutions (glace carbonique + PCM) to reduce quantity.
Interactive tool suggestion
To help users estimate how much dry ice they need, embed an interactive Dry Ice Weight Calculator on your webpage. Users can input payload weight and desired shipment duration; the tool calculates recommended dry ice quantity based on the rule of thumb chart. This improves user engagement and reduces guesswork.
Sécurité, regulatory compliance and environmental considerations
Hazards and PPE
Skin contact with dry ice can cause severe frostbite because tissue freezes almost instantly. Always use tongs and thermally insulated gloves when handling. When shipping to end consumers, ensure clear instructions accompany the package so recipients know not to touch residual dry ice.
Ventilation and storage
Store dry ice in a well ventilated area. Carbon dioxide is heavier than air and can accumulate in confined spaces, posing suffocation risk. Keep dry ice in a purpose designed container that allows gas to escape; never store it in sealed freezers or refrigerators.
Labeling rules
Dry ice shipments must display hazard class 9 étiquettes, the UN1845 identifier and net weight. Remove or obliterate previous labels when reusing boxes. Some carriers (Par exemple, FedEx) offer check boxes on the airway bill to simplify compliance. Ensure you know your carrier’s specific policies because UPS and USPS restrict dry ice shipments.
Weight restrictions and international rules
The IATA checklist limits the quantity of dry ice to 200 kg par forfait and requires that packages be vented. Pour les expéditions d'air, the “Nature and Quantity of Goods” box on the airway bill must show “UN1845, Dioxyde de carbone, solide, number of packages and net weight”. Lors de l'expédition à l'international, verify each country’s import rules as some prohibit certain perishables.
Environmental impact and sustainability
Dry ice is produced from recovered CO₂ emitted by industrial processes; while using dry ice does not directly add new CO₂ to the atmosphere, sublimation releases gas into the environment. Dry ice is single use, so each shipment requires new dry ice; disposal and logistics create further emissions. Sustainable alternatives like reusable phase change materials and IoT enabled insulated boxes are gaining popularity. Reusable cold chain packaging market is projected to grow from USD 4.97 milliards en 2025 to USD 9.13 milliards 2034 as companies adopt reusable insulated boxes and PCM packs to reduce waste.
Applications and use cases for outdoor dry ice pack sheets
Outdoor dry ice pack sheets serve a range of industries and situations, especially where conventional refrigeration is unavailable.
Food delivery and meal kits: Companies use dry ice sheets to ship frozen meats, seafood and ice cream across long distances. The FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requires refrigerated foods to stay at 40 °F (4 °C) ou ci-dessous and frozen foods to remain at 0 °F (–18 °C).
Pharmaceuticals and biologics: Vaccins, biologics and clinical trial kits often require strict temperature control. PCM packs maintain 2–8 °C or –20 °C ranges, while dry ice provides ultra cold temperatures for certain biologics.
Outdoor recreation and camping: Campers use compact dry ice sheets to keep food frozen for multi day trips without refrigeration. Because dry ice sheets are more manageable than loose pellets, they are safer for novices.
Emergency preparedness: Hospitals and laboratories rely on dry ice sheets during power outages to maintain freezers and preserve samples.
E commerce grocery and meal kit services: Growing e commerce and meal kit industries drive demand for reliable cold chain packaging; the global cold chain packaging market is valued at USD 32.29 milliards en 2025 and expected to grow at an 8.67 % TCAC.
2025 trends and future developments
Market growth and drivers
The cold chain packaging market is expanding rapidly as demand for biologics, vaccines and meal kits rises. Mordor Intelligence projects the market will grow from USD 32.29 milliards en 2025 to USD 48.93 milliards 2030, avec un compound annual growth rate (TCAC) de 8.67 %. Drivers include growing volumes of biologics and cell/gene therapies, expansion of e commerce grocery, global vaccination programs and the adoption of reusable passive shippers.
The dry ice market itself is also growing; Fortune Business Insights estimates it will increase from USD 1.66 milliards en 2025 to USD 2.73 milliards 2032, un 7.4 % TCAC.
Sustainability and reusable packaging
Environmental concerns are steering companies toward reusable materials. Reusable cold chain packaging—including insulated boxes, pallet shippers and PCM packs—is set to grow from USD 4.97 milliards en 2025 to USD 9.13 milliards 2034. These products reduce waste and long term costs and are supported by corporate ESG goals and regulatory pressure to cut single use plastics.
Technological innovations
Matériaux à changement de phase (PCM): PCMs are engineered to maintain specific temperature ranges and are reusable. They offer more precise thermal stability than dry ice and avoid hazardous labeling.
IoT enabled tracking: Smart temperature and location sensors integrated into packaging provide real time monitoring, ensuring compliance with pharmaceutical Good Distribution Practices. Market analyses note that IoT-enabled tracking containers are expected to grow rapidly.
Hybrid solutions: Combining dry ice with PCM or gel packs can extend cooling duration and reduce the quantity of hazardous materials needed. This trend addresses regulatory constraints and sustainability goals.
Regulatory evolution
International agencies are updating guidelines to harmonize temperature ranges and waste reduction. The IATA revised its Dangerous Goods Regulations in its 67th edition (efficace 2026) to streamline acceptance checklists. The U.S. FDA and European regulators are tightening temperature control rules for biologics. Entre-temps, some jurisdictions are implementing bans on expanded polystyrene (PSE) mousse, prompting adoption of eco friendly insulation.
Challenges and outlook
CO₂ supply shortages: The beverage and industrial CO₂ supply chain has experienced disruptions, causing dry ice shortages and price volatility. This pushes companies to consider PCM alternatives.
Gestion des déchets: Single use dry ice sheets generate waste. Recycling or upcycling the insulating sheet components and switching to reusable PCMs help address this.
Skills and compliance: As cold chain technologies become more sophisticated, companies must train staff on new packaging systems and regulatory updates.
Questions fréquemment posées
Q1: Can you reuse outdoor dry ice pack sheets?
Most dry ice sheets themselves are designed for reuse, provided they remain intact. Once the dry ice has sublimated, you can refill the pockets with fresh pellets. Cependant, ensure the sheet shows no cracks or leaks and that all previous labels and markings are removed.
Q2: How long does an outdoor dry ice sheet last?
Duration depends on quantity and insulation. A general rule is 5–10 pounds of dry ice per 24 heures. Using equal weight dry ice to payload weight keeps goods frozen for up to 48 heures. A 1.5x ratio may extend cooling to 72 heures.
Q3: What is the difference between dry ice sheets and gel packs?
Dry ice sheets maintain extremely cold temperatures (around –78.5 °C) and are suitable for frozen goods. Gel packs maintain temperatures around 2–8 °C and do not freeze goods. Dry ice is hazardous and requires special labeling, whereas gel packs do not.
Q4: La glace sèche est-elle sûre pour la nourriture?
Oui, dry ice is food safe when used properly. It does not leave residue and keeps products frozen. Cependant, never place dry ice in direct contact with food; wrap items and use separators to prevent freezer burn.
Q5: What are phase change materials (PCM) and should I consider them?
PCMs are reusable packs that absorb or release heat at specific temperatures, maintaining stable ranges such as 2–8 °C or –20 °C. They avoid hazardous labeling and have lower long term costs but higher upfront expense.
Résumé et recommandations
Outdoor dry ice pack sheets are powerful tools for maintaining frozen temperatures in transit, but they require knowledge and planning. Use insulated containers and proper packaging to allow gas venting, handle dry ice with gloves, and follow documentation rules. Remember the weight ratios: half the payload weight for overnight shipping, equal weight for 48 hours and 1.5x for 72 heures. Choose gel packs or PCMs instead of dry ice when shipping chilled goods, to avoid freezing sensitive items and simplify compliance. Keep containers vented and dispose of dry ice in well ventilated areas.
À mesure que l'industrie de la chaîne du froid évolue, sustainable and reusable packaging is becoming a priority. Market projections show rapid growth for reusable cold chain solutions. Incorporating PCM packs and IoT enabled tracking can reduce waste and improve compliance. When planning your outdoor shipments, consider using hybrid refrigerants, interactive calculators, and eco friendly insulation to stay ahead of 2025’s logistics and regulatory demands.
À propos du tempk
Tempk is a leading provider of passive cold chain solutions, designing and manufacturing insulated box liners, packs de gel, PCM packs and dry ice pack sheets. Our mission is to help businesses preserve product integrity, reduce waste and comply with evolving regulations. We invest in research and development to create eco friendly, emballage réutilisable, including PCMs and insulated pouches. With quality certifications and a focus on sustainability, we support sectors from food delivery to pharmaceuticals.
Appel à l'action: If you need assistance selecting the right outdoor dry ice pack sheet or exploring reusable packaging alternatives, contact Tempk’s experts. We’ll help you design a custom cold chain solution that meets your product, budget and sustainability requirements. Visit our website or reach out via email to discuss your packaging needs.
