Gel Packs vs Dry Ice vs PCM Packs: How to Choose the Right Coolant for Cold Chain Shipping
Choosing a coolant is one of the most important decisions in cold chain packaging. Gel packs, dry ice, and PCM packs can all protect temperature-sensitive products, but they are not interchangeable. The right choice depends on the product temperature range, payload mass, route duration, allowable freeze risk, carrier rules, documentation needs, and customer receiving experience. For B2B buyers, the goal is not to choose the coldest coolant. The goal is to choose the coolant that keeps the product inside its required temperature range for the required time, under realistic handling conditions, with acceptable safety, cost, compliance, and brand experience. Quick answer Gel packs are usually the starting point for chilled and refrigerated shipments. FedEx describes gel coolants for products that should remain between 34°F / 1°C and 50°F / 10°C. Dry ice is used when products must remain frozen, but it sublimates at -78.5°C / -109.3°F and requires venting, marking, and handling controls. PCM packs are used when the packout...