If you ship temperature sensitive goods, um disposable dry ice pack can be a game changer. Unlike ordinary ice or gel packs, these flexible sheets use solid carbon dioxide that sublimates at –78.5 °C, maintaining sub zero temperatures for 24–72 horas without leaving moisture or soggy packaging. The global cold chain refrigerants market is projected to grow from $1.69 bilhão em 2025 para $2.92 bilhão por 2032, while the broader cold chain market may exceed $1.6 trilhão por 2033. Understanding how disposable dry ice packs work—and their safety, environmental and regulatory aspects—helps you choose the right solution and stay competitive.
How do disposable dry ice packs work, and how are they different from gel packs? We explain sublimation and compare temperature ranges and durations.
How can you size and pack your shipment correctly? Aprenda o 1:1 weight ratio rule and how to adjust for seasons, complexidade da rota e isolamento.
What safety and regulatory practices should you follow? We cover venting, protective gear and labeling requirements for UN1845.
How do environmental factors and sustainability influence dry ice shipping? Discover recycled CO₂ production, biodegradable packaging and hybrid solutions.
Quais são as últimas tendências e inovações em 2025? Explore o monitoramento habilitado para IoT, blockchain traceability and market insights.
How Do Disposable Dry Ice Packs Work and Why Choose Them Over Gel Packs?
Dry ice packs use sublimation to deliver ultra cold temperatures without creating moisture. Each pack encases solid carbon dioxide pellets that turn directly into gas at –78.5 °C. As the dry ice absorbs heat from your shipment, it keeps goods frozen for 24–72 horas dependendo do tamanho da embalagem e do isolamento. Em comparação, gel packs maintain 2–8 °C for up to 48 hours and often leak water as they thaw. Porque o gelo seco sublima, packages stay dry and there’s no risk of condensation or soggy products.
For shippers of frozen meat, frutos do mar, vacinas e produtos biológicos, disposable dry ice packs are invaluable. Eles fornecem temperaturas ultrabaixas—as low as –78,5 ° C.—that gel packs cannot achieve. This makes them the preferred choice for long distance shipments or routes through warm climates. While dry ice requires special handling and labeling as a hazardous material, its performance and leak free design deliver reliable, consistent cooling for high value products.
Temperature Range and Duration Comparison
The table below highlights the key differences between common refrigerants. Use it to select the right pack for your shipment.
| Método de resfriamento | Faixa de temperatura | Duração típica | Implicações Práticas |
| Mini placa de gelo seco | –78,5 °C a –18 °C | 24–48 h | Ideal para produtos farmacêuticos ou biológicos que exigem temperaturas ultrabaixas constantes; avoids moisture and is suitable for short to medium distances. |
| Bolsa de gelo seco descartável | –78,5 ° C. | Até 72 h | Perfeito para transporte de longa distância de carne congelada, frutos do mar ou vacinas; conveniência de uso único e sem água derretida. |
| Pacote de gel (2–8 ° C.) | 2 °C–8 °C | Até 48 h | Mantém a produção, laticínios ou medicamentos resfriados sem congelar; reusable but may leak water and cannot maintain deep freeze temperatures. |
| Pacote de água tradicional | ≈0°C | 24–36 h | Cheap solution for short journeys; massa térmica limitada e risco de vazamento de umidade. |
Dicas Práticas e Recomendações
Hidrate e congele adequadamente: Activate disposable dry ice sheets by hydrating the polymer cells and freezing for at least 24 horas.
Pré-resfrie seus produtos: Congelar ou resfriar produtos antes de embalá-los reduz a carga de calor e prolonga a duração do resfriamento.
Use lençóis maiores para viagens mais longas: Embalagens maiores contêm mais CO₂ e duram mais.
Selecione o layout certo: Place dry ice on top of your goods to allow cold air to sink and ensure uniform cooling. Para viagens prolongadas, use hybrid layouts with dry ice around the sides and combine with phase change materials (PCMs).
Monitorar temperatura: Empregue registradores de dados ou sensores IoT para rastrear temperaturas internas e ajustar os números dos pacotes de acordo.
Exemplo do mundo real: Uma empresa farmacêutica envia 8 lb of frozen vaccine vials from Los Angeles to Chicago uses an 8 lb disposable dry ice pack and adds 30 % extra dry ice during peak summer. By pre freezing the vials to –20 °C and using a hybrid layout with vacuum insulated panels, the shipment stays below –70 °C for 72 horas.
How to Choose and Size Disposable Dry Ice Packs for Your Shipment
Selecting the right dry ice pack size depends on product weight, tempo de trânsito, qualidade da rota e do isolamento. Uma regra prática simples é 1:1 relação entre o peso do gelo seco e o peso do produto para remessas de 48 horas. If you’re shipping 8 quilo de frutos do mar congelados, comece com 8 lb de gelo seco. Adjustments are necessary for seasonal temperatures (add 25–35 % more dry ice in summer), complex routes (add 10–15 % for multi hand off lanes) and improved insulation (reduce by 10–25 % ao usar painéis de vácuo).
Estratégias de dimensionamento e layout
Follow these guidelines to optimize pack performance:
Avalie os requisitos de peso e temperatura do produto: Determine how cold your shipment must stay (–70 °C for vaccines, –20 °C for frozen food, 2–8 °C for refrigerated items). Use higher weight ratios for ultra cold shipments.
Consider route complexity and duration: Add extra dry ice when shipping across multiple hubs or when delays are likely.
Upgrade insulation for efficiency: Vacuum insulated panels reduce dry ice requirements by 10–25 %, economizando peso e custo. Even simple improvements like foam pads or crumpled paper to fill voids can reduce sublimation.
Use pacotes híbridos: Combining dry ice with PCMs buffers temperature fluctuations and extends duration to 72 horas ou mais. Hybrid layouts place dry ice on top and PCMs around the sides.
Plan for preconditioning: Freeze products below –18 °C and chill packaging materials before assembly. Doing so reduces initial heat loads and lengthens cooling time.
Segurança, Handling and Regulatory Considerations
O gelo seco é extremamente frio e classificado como material perigoso (E 1845), portanto, o manuseio adequado é essencial. Sempre use luvas isoladas e proteção para os olhos—direct skin contact can cause frostbite. Porque o gelo seco se sublima em gás de dióxido de carbono, never seal it in an airtight container; venting prevents pressure build up and oxygen displacement. Ao transportar gelo seco, keep the vehicle well ventilated and avoid enclosed spaces.
Regulatory agencies like the International Air Transport Association (IATA), os EUA. Departamento de Transporte (PONTO) and national post services have specific guidelines. Packages containing dry ice must display a Class 9 etiqueta de perigo e indicar o peso líquido. Airlines often limit dry ice quantities to 5 kg por pacote e exigem documentação adequada. Training staff and providing clear handling instructions to customers reduces risks and ensures compliance.
Safe Handling and Storage Tips
Use equipamento de proteção: Use luvas grossas, safety goggles and long sleeves to avoid skin contact.
Fornece ventilação: Keep shipping containers vented and never store dry ice in sealed cellars or car trunks.
Rotule e documento: Display UN 1845 rótulos, mark the net weight and provide Material Safety Data Sheets (FISPQ) ou instruções de segurança para destinatários.
Responder ao congelamento: Se ocorrer contato, remova as roupas que não estejam congeladas na pele e mergulhe a área em água morna (abaixo 40 °C) water—do not rub the affected area.
Monitore os níveis de CO₂: In storage rooms or staging areas, use CO₂ monitors to prevent buildup.
Impacto Ambiental e Alternativas Sustentáveis
Dry ice is carbon dioxide in solid form and releases CO₂ gas as it sublimates. This greenhouse gas contributes to climate change if not managed properly. No entanto, most industrial dry ice is produced from recycled CO₂ captured during processes like ammonia synthesis and ethanol production. Recycling repurposes waste CO₂ and reduces the need for virgin fossil fuels. To mitigate the environmental impact:
Use dry ice produced from recycled CO₂.
Optimize quantity and packaging: Efficient use reduces the amount of CO₂ released. Using vacuum insulated panels or hybrid packouts cuts the total dry ice required.
Capture and recycle CO₂: Tecnologias emergentes capturam CO₂ sublimado e o reutilizam em estufas ou na carbonatação de bebidas.
Combine with sustainable materials: Manufacturers are developing recyclable thermal shippers and gel packs with biodegradable polymers. Hybrid solutions using PCMs extend cooling duration and reduce dry ice consumption.
The table below compares dry ice with two greener alternatives.
| Refrigerante | Considerações Ambientais | Benefícios | Como isso ajuda você |
| Gelo seco (Co₂) | Produzido a partir de CO₂ reciclado; releases gas during sublimation that contributes to greenhouse effect if unmanaged. | Off grid ultra cold cooling; evita o desperdício de alimentos e reduz o consumo de eletricidade. | Ideal para remessas que exigem congelamento profundo; choose recycled sources and proper ventilation to mitigate impact. |
| Material de mudança de fase (PCM) pacotes | PCMs can be engineered with non toxic, conchas recicláveisthermalcustompackaging.com. Reutilizável centenas de vezes, reducing waste and long term costthermalcustompackaging.com. | Controle preciso de temperatura; no hazardous handling; easier to comply with regulationsthermalcustompackaging.com. | Adequado para remessas refrigeradas (2–8 °C ou –20 °C). High initial cost but cheaper over multiple uses. |
| Pacotes de gel ecológicos | New gel packs use biodegradable, conteúdo não tóxico e embalagens recicláveis ou compostáveis. | Reutilizável centenas de vezes; forte retenção térmica reduz as necessidades de isolamento. | Good for companies prioritizing sustainability; oferece economia de custos ao longo do tempo e atrai consumidores ecologicamente conscientes. |
Tips to Reduce Environmental Impact
Choose recycled sources: Ask suppliers for dry ice produced from captured CO₂.
Use only what you need: Follow sizing guidelines and adjust for season and route to minimize excess CO₂ release.
Adopt hybrid packouts: Combine dry ice with PCMs or eco friendly gel packs to reduce total dry ice consumption.
Eduque os destinatários: Provide disposal instructions and encourage reuse of packaging materials.
Sustainability case: A meal kit company replaced single use EPS foam and heavy gel packs with hybrid dry ice/PCM kits packaged in recyclable cardboard. By using only the amount of dry ice needed and selecting biodegradable PCM packs, eles reduziram as emissões do transporte marítimo em 20 % e recebeu feedback positivo de clientes ecologicamente conscientes.
Trends and Innovations for 2025 in Cold Chain Logistics
A indústria da cadeia fria está evoluindo rapidamente, impulsionado pelo crescimento do comércio eletrônico, vaccine distribution and consumer demand for sustainability. Tendências importantes para 2025 incluir:
Últimos desenvolvimentos
Monitoramento inteligente de temperatura: Sensores IoT fornecem dados em tempo real sobre temperatura, umidade, light exposure and vibration, giving logistics teams comprehensive visibility and allowing proactive intervention. Predictive analytics helps anticipate temperature excursions and prevent spoilage.
Rastreabilidade de blockchain: Decentralized ledgers create transparent, immutable records of every interaction with a shipment. This improves security, simplifica auditorias e garante conformidade regulatória.
Embalagem sustentável: Os fabricantes estão desenvolvendo transportadores térmicos recicláveis que mantêm a temperatura por 72+ hours and gel packs with biodegradable materials. Circular economy practices repurpose CO₂ from industrial processes to produce dry ice.
Refrigeração híbrida: Unidades de transporte elétricas e híbridas reduzem a dependência do diesel e reduzem as emissões. Combining passive refrigeration (gelo seco, PCMs) with active systems improves efficiency.
Kits prontos para usar: Preassembled thermal kits with pre calculated dry ice and PCMs simplify training and reduce packing errors.
Crescimento do mercado: The cold chain refrigerants market is expected to grow from $1.69 bilhão em 2025 para $2.92 bilhão por 2032 com um CAGR de 8.14 %. Enquanto isso, the broader cold chain market may exceed $1.6 trilhão por 2033, underscoring the importance of efficient temperature control solutions.
Visão de mercado e preferências do consumidor
Os consumidores valorizam cada vez mais a sustentabilidade e a transparência. Businesses are balancing performance with eco friendly materials and exploring carbon neutral strategies like CO₂ capture and recycling. Para produtos biológicos de alto valor, PCMs and vacuum insulated panels provide precise control while reducing dry ice requirements. Meal delivery services leverage mini dry ice sheets to keep meals at –20 °C for 24 horas, whereas pharmaceutical companies use mini dry ice packs to maintain –78.5 °C for 48+ horas.
Perguntas frequentes
Q1: How long does a disposable dry ice pack last?
Most disposable packs maintain –78.5 °C for up to 72 horas quando devidamente isolado. Duration depends on pack size, product weight and insulation quality.
Q2: Can disposable dry ice packs be reused?
Sim. Dry ice sheets can be reused multiple times until the textile surface becomes unhygienic. Always inspect for damage and ensure the polymer cells remain intact.
Q3: Is dry ice safe for home delivery?
O gelo seco é seguro quando manuseado corretamente. Use luvas isoladas, provide ventilation and include disposal instructions. Para destinatários não familiarizados com gelo seco, pacotes de gel podem ser mais seguros.
Q4: How can I reduce the environmental impact when using dry ice?
Choose dry ice made from recycled CO₂, size packs carefully to avoid excess, and combine with reusable PCMs or eco friendly gel packs. Consider capturing CO₂ for reuse.
Q5: What are hybrid dry ice and PCM solutions?
Hybrid packouts mix dry ice sheets with phase change materials. O gelo seco proporciona temperaturas ultra frias, while PCMs buffer fluctuations, extend duration and reduce CO₂ consumption.
Resumo & Recomendações
Disposable dry ice packs provide ultra frio, resfriamento sem umidade para até 72 horas, tornando-os ideais para o envio de alimentos congelados, produtos biológicos e vacinas. They outperform gel packs when sub zero temperatures are required and prevent water damage. No entanto, they require careful sizing, ventilação adequada, protective gear and regulatory compliance. Para reduzir o impacto ambiental, source dry ice made from recycled CO₂, use hybrid packouts with PCMs, and minimize waste. The cold chain industry’s rapid growth and 2025 innovations—such as IoT monitoring, blockchain and sustainable packaging—offer new opportunities to optimize your logistics.
Conselhos acionáveis
Avalie suas necessidades de remessa: Determinar o peso do produto, temperatura alvo e duração do trânsito.
Calcular os requisitos de gelo seco: Comece com um 1:1 relação entre gelo seco e peso do produto e ajuste para a estação, rota e isolamento.
Choose your packaging setup: Select top, layouts surround ou híbridos e invista em isolamento de qualidade.
Implementar monitoramento: Use temperature loggers or IoT sensors to verify performance and react quickly to deviations.
Educate and comply: Treine a equipe sobre manuseio seguro, label packages correctly and provide clear instructions to recipients.
Explore opções sustentáveis: Evaluate hybrid solutions with PCMs, use recycled CO₂ sources and consider biodegradable gel packs.
Sobre Tempk
Nós somos a Temp, experts in high performance cold chain solutions. Our disposable dry ice packs and mini sheets maintain –78.5 °C cooling performance while staying moisture free. We also offer insulated packaging, IoT monitoring tools and custom hybrid packouts to suit your specific needs. Com compromisso com a inovação, sustentabilidade e conformidade regulatória, we help you deliver temperature sensitive products safely, cost effectively and on time.
Chamado à ação: Pronto para otimizar sua cadeia de frio? Assess your shipping requirements and explore our range of dry ice packs, PCMs and hybrid kits. Contact Tempk’s cold chain specialists for tailored advice and request a sample kit today.
