Shipping frozen meals, biologics and other temperaturesensitive goods isn’t simple — one wrong packaging choice can ruin an entire shipment. A vacuum sealed dry ice pack sheet is a flexible pouch filled with solid carbon dioxide pellets that sublimate at −78.5 °C to deliver ultracold temperatures without creating messy meltwater. Unlike loose dry ice pellets or gel packs, the sheet format spreads cold evenly across your products and keeps moisture out. As cold chain logistics continue to evolve in 2025, understanding how these innovative pack sheets work, where to use them and how they compare to other refrigeration methods will help you maintain product quality, minimize waste and comply with strict regulations.
What is a vacuum sealed dry ice pack sheet and how does it work?
How do you select and use vacuum sealed dry ice pack sheets for different shipments?
What benefits do these sheets offer over gel packs and loose dry ice?
What are the safety, handling and regulatory considerations?
How are 2025 trends shaping vacuum sealed dry ice technology and the wider cold chain industry?
What Is a Vacuum Sealed Dry Ice Pack Sheet?
Definition and Composition
A vacuum sealed dry ice pack sheet is a thin, sealed pouch that contains solid CO₂ pellets or blocks. The pouch is vacuum sealed to remove excess air and moisture, preserving the dry ice and slowing heat transfer. At atmospheric pressure, solid CO₂ sublimates directly into gas instead of melting, which keeps products dry. The sheet’s flexible design allows it to wrap around meals, vials or other items, distributing cold evenly and minimizing thermal shock.
These pack sheets typically consist of three layers:
Inner refrigerant core – solid CO₂ pellets or blocks deliver ultralow temperatures down to −78.5 °C.
Vacuumsealed pouch – an airtight film or nylon barrier prevents moisture ingress and keeps CO₂ inside while allowing gas to vent slowly through microperforations.
Outer protective layer – a moisture barrier made of LDPE or foil provides strength and minimizes condensation.
This construction allows the sheet to remain lightweight and easy to handle while delivering powerful cooling for 24–72 hours depending on its size and insulation.
Vacuum Insulated Panels vs. Vacuum Sealed Pouches
It’s important to distinguish between vacuum sealed dry ice pack sheets Dan vacuum insulated panels (VIP). The latter are rigid insulation panels with air removed to create a vacuum, dramatically reducing heat transfer. According to Aztec Container’s 2025 memandu, VIPs are a premium insulation option that “remove almost all air between panels, creating an incredibly effective barrier against heat transfer”. By pairing VIPs with dry ice, shipments require less ice, save weight and maintain precise temperature control. Vacuum sealed pack sheets focus on the refrigerant itself; VIPs are part of the outer packaging and can be used with dry ice sheets to boost performance.
How Vacuum Sealed Dry Ice Pack Sheets Work
Sublimation Science Simplified
Es kering (co₂ solid) does not melt; it sublimates directly to gas at −78.5 °C. When the CO₂ inside a vacuum sealed pack sheet absorbs heat from its surroundings, it transitions to gas and draws thermal energy away from the shipment. Because there’s no liquid phase, no water accumulates, preventing soggy boxes or damaged labels. The vacuumsealed barrier slows this heat exchange by reducing convection and keeping the cold concentrated inside the pouch.
Step by Step Cooling Process
Preconditioning – prefreeze the vacuum sealed dry ice pack sheet or fill refillable cells with dry ice pellets while wearing insulated gloves. Preconditioning ensures the sheet starts at its coldest temperature.
Penempatan – position the sheet on top of or around the product. Udara dingin tenggelam, so top placement provides even cooling; surrounding placement offers longer duration.
Sublimation and venting – as the dry ice absorbs heat, CO₂ gas escapes through microvents or container vents. Never seal a dry ice sheet in an airtight container; proper venting prevents dangerous pressure buildup.
Lamanya – a properly insulated and vacuum sealed dry ice sheet maintains temperatures from −78.5 °C to −18 °C for 24–72 hours depending on size and insulation quality.
Why Vacuum Matters
Vacuum sealing eliminates air pockets inside the sheet. Without trapped air, conduction and convection are minimized, so the cold energy from the dry ice stays focused on the product. Removing air also reduces moisture, preventing freezer burn and ensuring that gases vent in a controlled manner rather than causing the pouch to balloon. When paired with VIPs, the overall thermal efficiency improves further. Misalnya, 2025 guidelines suggest that switching from standard foam to vacuum insulated panels can reduce dry ice needs by 20 %.
Choosing the Right Vacuum Sealed Dry Ice Pack Sheet
Faktor kunci
Selecting the correct pack sheet requires careful consideration of your shipment’s requirements:
Duration and temperature range – mini sheets maintain −20 °C for 24 jam, while larger disposable sheets hold −18 °C to −78.5 °C for up to 72 jam. Match the sheet size to your transit time.
Sensitivitas produk – pharmaceuticals and biologics often require temperatures below −70 °C. A biotech case study described using mini dry ice foam sheets inside vacuum insulated shippers to maintain mRNA vaccine potency during a 36hour flight.
Weight and volume – heavier products absorb more heat. Gunakan 1:1 aturan: allocate about one kilogram of dry ice per kilogram of product for 24 jam. Increase the ratio by 15–20 % for hot climates or extended transit.
Kualitas isolasi – VIPs require less dry ice than standard foam because of their superior thermal resistance. Basic cardboard boxes offer minimal insulation and require more ice.
Kepatuhan Pengaturan – carriers like FedEx classify dry ice as UN 1845, requiring labels and weight declarations. Check your carrier’s maximum dry ice limits (MISALNYA., 200 kg for FedEx, 2.5 kg for many postal services).
Size and Weight Guidelines
| Package Weight (kg) | Waktu transit | Jumlah es kering | Tips Praktis |
| 2–5kg | Hingga 12 H | 1–2 kg | One mini sheet on top maintains frozen temperatures. |
| 5–10 kg | 24–48 h | Equal to payload (5–10 kg) | Use two sheets or sandwich method for even cooling. |
| 10–20 kg | 48–72 jam | 1.5× payload (15–30kg) | Combine top and bottom sheets; use VIPs to reduce ice consumption. |
| 20–40 kg | 72 jam+ | Hingga 40 kg | Consider hybrid systems with phase change materials (PCMS) and vacuum panels for long routes. |
SelfAssessment Tool
For better user engagement, embed a simple calculator on your website that asks for product weight, transit duration and insulation type. It can then recommend the number of dry ice sheets and the total dry ice weight. Menurut 2025 memandu, interactive tools not only improve user experience but also reduce guesswork.
How to Use Vacuum Sealed Dry Ice Pack Sheets Safely
Step by Step Packing Instructions
Pilih wadah yang tepat – select a sturdy insulated box, liner or VIP container. According to Insulated Products Corp., after vacuum sealing your product you should assemble your insulated packaging with highperformance liners like PopupLiner or other vacuum insulated panels. Avoid flimsy molded coolers that compress easily and lead to poor insulation.
Prepare the product – vacuum seal or wrap items to prevent freezer burn and moisture exposure. IPC advises vacuum sealed packaging to prevent freezer burn before placing meat inside an insulated box with gel packs or dry ice.
Precondition the sheet – freeze the sheet or fill its cells with dry ice pellets while wearing insulated gloves. Prefreezing ensures maximum cooling power.
Place the sheet – lay the sheet on top of the payload for shorter journeys, or surround the product for longer trips. Use multiple sheets for heavy loads or extended durations.
Vent properly – ensure the container has vent holes or breathable membranes. Never seal dry ice in airtight bags or boxes. IPC’s PopupLiner design allows gas to offgas safely to prevent pressure buildup.
Label – clearly label packages with “Dry Ice (Dan 1845)” and indicate the net weight.
Memantau – use data loggers or IoT sensors to track internal temperatures. Itu 2025 guide recommends logging both core and wall temperatures during bench testing and realworld lane pilots.
Safety Gear and Handling Tips
Gunakan alat pelindung – always wear insulated gloves and eye protection when handling dry ice; direct skin contact can cause frostbite.
Bekerja di area berventilasi – CO₂ gas can build up and displace oxygen, causing headaches or loss of consciousness; always pack dry ice in areas with good airflow.
Store properly – store dry ice in vented, wadah terisolasi; never store in airtight freezers or enclosed spaces.
Educate staff – train personnel on emergency procedures, proper PPE, and disposal methods.
Compliance and Documentation
Shipping dry ice across state or international boundaries is regulated. Under U.S. peraturan DOT (49 CFR 173.217) and IATA PI 954, dry ice shipments must be labeled with UN 1845, kelas bahaya 9, weight and proper shipping name. FedEx guidelines require declaring the net weight on the package. Many postal services restrict dry ice to 2.5 kg per paket; always check your carrier’s policies.
Benefits of Vacuum Sealed Dry Ice Pack Sheets
Superior Cold Performance
Unlike waterbased gel packs that freeze at ~0 °C, vacuum sealed dry ice pack sheets maintain temperatures as low as −78.5 °C. This makes them ideal for pharmaceuticals, biologics and frozen foods that must stay below −18 °C for extended periods. Gel packs are better suited for chilled (2–8 ° C.) goods but cannot keep products frozen.
MoistureFree Cooling
Es kering menyublim langsung menjadi gas, tidak meninggalkan residu cairan. This prevents soggy packaging, avoids water damage and reduces mould growth. Paket gel, di sisi lain, melt and may leak water or polymer gel, contaminating food or labels. Moisturefree cooling is especially beneficial for sensitive foods like pastries, vacuumsealed entrées or electronics.
Extended Duration and Energy Efficiency
Disposable dry ice sheets can maintain frozen conditions for up to 72 jam, far surpassing typical gel packs (24–48 jam). Because dry ice requires no electricity during transit, shipments are not limited by battery life or access to power. This makes vacuum sealed dry ice sheets ideal for remote areas, longdistance exports and emergency scenarios.
Reduced Waste and Environmental Considerations
Many vacuum sealed dry ice sheets are reusable. Setelah es kering menyublim, some formats can be refilled with pellets and revacuum sealed. Even disposable sheets leave no water waste and often use CO₂ captured from industrial processes, supporting circular economy initiatives. Ecofriendly innovations in 2025 include biodegradable outer films and highrecycled content materials. Compared with gel packs that use sodium polyacrylate (a superabsorbent polymer) and nonrecyclable films, dry ice sheets present fewer disposal challenges.
Improved Package Integrity
Vacuum sealed dry ice sheets conform to product shapes, reducing air pockets and thermal gradients. This ensures uniform cooling and minimizes the risk of pointfreezing damage (MISALNYA., protein denaturation in biologics). The sheet format is easier to handle than loose pellets and reduces risk of spillage. By eliminating free pellets, there’s less chance of dry ice contacting bare skin during packing and unpacking.
Vacuum Sealed Dry Ice Pack Sheets vs. Other Refrigerants
| Jenis Refrigeran | Kisaran suhu | Lamanya | Kelembaban | Reusability | Best Use Cases |
| Vacuum sealed dry ice pack sheet | −78.5 °C to −18 °C | 24–72 jam | No moisture | Some formats reusable | Makanan beku, vaksin, Biologi, longdistance shipments |
| Loose dry ice pellets/blocks | −78,5 °C | 24–48 h | No moisture | Sekali pakai | Daging beku dalam jumlah besar, hidangan laut, dry shippers |
| Paket gel | 2 °C–8 °C | 24–48 h | Meltwater | Dapat digunakan kembali | Produk segar, susu, shortdistance deliveries |
| Bahan perubahan fase (PCMS) | −21 °C to 8 °C depending on formulation | 24–72 jam | Usually no moisture | Dapat digunakan kembali | Temperaturespecific vaccines, Makanan Khusus |
| Panel terisolasi vakum (VIP) | N/a (isolasi, not refrigerant) | N/a | N/a | N/a | Combined with dry ice or PCMs to reduce ice needs |
Practical Applications
Farmasi dan Biologi
Vaksin, biologics and gene therapies often require ultracold storage (−70 °C or below). Mini vacuum sealed dry ice sheets maintain these temperatures during distribution and finalmile delivery. Misalnya, a biotech firm shipping mRNA vaccines maintained potency during a 36hour flight using mini dry ice foam sheets inside vacuum insulated shippers. The combination of vacuum sealed refrigerant and VIPs reduced the dry ice quantity and ensured compliance with stringent cold chain standards.
Meal Kits and Frozen Foods
Meal kit companies use vacuum sealed dry ice sheets to keep frozen entrées at −20 °C for 30–72 hours. A regional meal delivery service switched from gel packs to small dry ice sheets and, with proper insulation, maintained −20 °C for 30 hours during summer, reducing spoilage and boosting customer satisfaction. These sheets are ideal for directtoconsumer deliveries, subscription services and longdistance shipping of meat, seafood and ice cream.
Biotech and Laboratory Samples
Laboratories ship reagents, enzymes and patient samples requiring –78.5 °C to preserve molecular integrity. Vacuum sealed dry ice sheets prevent thawing and contamination. By using VIPs, labs reduce dry ice consumption and simplify compliance with IATA PI 954 peraturan.
Medical Supplies and Diagnostics
Organ transplants and diagnostic kits often need to stay below –20 °C. Dry ice sheets provide the cold environment without water; moisture could compromise sterile packaging or electronics. Combined with data loggers, they allow realtime temperature monitoring during transit.
Remote and Emergency Logistics
In disaster response or rural healthcare, access to powered refrigeration is limited. Vacuum sealed dry ice sheets offer energyfree cooling, enabling vaccine and medicine delivery to remote clinics. Their long shelf life and low weight make them easy to stockpile for emergencies.
2025 Tren dan Inovasi
Perkembangan Teknologi
Pemantauan Suhu Cerdas – IoT sensors integrated into pack sheets send realtime temperature and location data. These sensors trigger alerts when temperatures deviate and allow proactive intervention. They also support compliance documentation and help carriers meet regulatory requirements.
Bahan berkelanjutan - - 2025 marks a shift towards recyclable or biodegradable films for vacuum sealed dry ice sheets. Manufacturers are using recycled CO₂ captured from industrial processes to produce dry ice, lowering carbon footprints. VIPs made from recyclable materials and PCMs derived from biobased sources are also gaining popularity.
Hybrid Refrigeration – Combining dry ice sheets with PCMs or gel packs extends duration while smoothing temperature fluctuations. Hybrid packouts placed around the product deliver up to 72 hours of protection. PCMs provide buffer periods at specific temperatures, reducing thermal shock when the dry ice starts sublimating.
ReadytoUse Kits – Preassembled thermal kits including vacuum sealed dry ice sheets, VIP containers, data loggers and instructions simplify training and reduce packout errors. This lowers the barrier for small businesses to adopt advanced cold chain practices.
Circular Economy Initiatives – New production methods capture CO₂ from industrial processes to manufacture dry ice, mengurangi emisi gas rumah kaca. Companies encourage customers to return used sheets for refilling and recycling, creating a closed loop supply chain.
Wawasan pasar
Pasar rantai dingin sedang booming. Grand View Research projects the global market to exceed $1.6 trillion by 2033, with North America holding over 33 % revenue share. The dry ice shipping market for frozen food alone is projected to grow at a 7.8 % CAGR dari 2025 ke 2033, mencapai $2.79 miliar. Rising demand for ecommerce, directtoconsumer meal kits and global distribution of pharmaceuticals is driving adoption of advanced refrigerants and insulation.
Consumers increasingly value sustainability, pushing businesses to balance performance with ecofriendly materials and carbonneutral strategies. Phase change materials and vacuum insulated panels allow companies to reduce dry ice usage while maintaining stringent temperature control.
Pertanyaan yang sering diajukan
Q1: How long does a vacuum sealed dry ice pack sheet last?
Most vacuum sealed dry ice sheets maintain −78.5 °C to −18 °C for 24–72 jam, depending on size and insulation. Mini sheets provide about 24–48 hours, while larger packs combined with VIPs can protect shipments for up to three days.
Q2: Are vacuum sealed dry ice pack sheets reusable?
Some formats are refillable; you can replenish the sheet with dry ice pellets and reseal it. Always inspect the pouch for tears or compromised vents before reuse. Disposable sheets are designed for single use but leave no water waste.
Q3: How do these sheets compare with gel packs?
Dry ice pack sheets reach much colder temperatures (hingga −78,5 °C) and produce no liquid residue. Gel packs freeze around 0 °C and are best for chilled goods (2–8 ° C.). Gel packs may leak and are often reused, whereas dry ice sheets provide moisturefree freezing for longer durations.
Q4: Are vacuum sealed dry ice pack sheets safe for food?
Ya, if handled properly. Always vacuum seal or wrap food to prevent contact with dry ice and avoid freezer burn. Use gloves when handling and ensure packages are vented to release CO₂ gas.
Q5: Can I combine vacuum sealed dry ice pack sheets with other refrigerants?
Sangat. Hybrid packouts using dry ice sheets with PCMs or gel packs can extend duration and provide temperature buffering. This is useful for weekend deliveries or extreme climates.
Ringkasan dan Rekomendasi
Vacuum sealed dry ice pack sheets provide an efficient, moisturefree solution for maintaining ultracold temperatures during transit. By encapsulating solid CO₂ in a vacuum sealed pouch, they deliver uniform cooling, prevent water damage and extend frozen conditions for up to 72 jam. When paired with vacuum insulated panels, they reduce dry ice requirements and offer precise temperature control. Their flexibility and ease of handling make them suitable for pharmaceuticals, kit makan, laboratory samples and emergency logistics. Adhering to safety guidelines—wearing protective gear, venting containers, proper labeling and compliance with carrier regulations—is crucial for safe use.
Langkah selanjutnya yang dapat ditindaklanjuti
Menilai kebutuhan Anda – determine product sensitivity, transit time and regulatory requirements. Gunakan 1:1 rule and adjust for ambient conditions.
Select highquality insulation – pair vacuum sealed dry ice sheets with VIPs or highdensity foam to maximize performance.
Develop a packing protocol – incorporate vacuum sealing of products, proper venting, labeling and data logging. Standardize procedures and train staff.
Integrate monitoring technology – use IoT sensors and data loggers to track temperature and CO₂ levels in real time.
Jelajahi opsi berkelanjutan – choose sheets made from recycled CO₂ and biodegradable films, and implement a return and refill program.
Tentang tempk
Tempk adalah penyedia terkemuka solusi rantai dingin, offering a broad range of insulated packaging products, dry ice packs and temperature monitoring devices. We focus on delivering dapat diandalkan, ecofriendly cold chain technologies that keep goods safe from origin to destination. Our engineers continuously develop advanced materials such as vacuum insulated panels and reusable refrigerants to reduce waste and improve sustainability. Apakah Anda mengirim vaksin, gourmet meals or laboratory samples, we have the expertise to design a tailored solution that protects your product and supports your business.
Need help designing your cold chain package? Contact us for a personalized consultation and discover how our vacuum sealed dry ice pack sheets and insulation products can improve your shipping performance.
