Keeping temperature sensitive goods safe during transport isn’t just about putting ice in a box—it’s about choosing the right refrigerant and packaging. Dry ice bags and dry ice packs are now central to modern cold chain logistics because they provide ultra low temperatures without adding moisture. As new materials and smart sensors emerge, essas soluções continuam a evoluir. In this guide you’ll learn how dry ice bags and packs work, why they’re crucial for food, pharmaceuticals and e commerce deliveries, and what innovations are reshaping cold chain operations in 2025.
Understand what dry ice bags and dry ice packs are – including how they’re made and why they’re different from traditional gel packs.
Compare performance, custo e sustentabilidade de gelo seco, pacotes de gelo seco premium, PCM bricks and gel packs.
Siga as diretrizes regulatórias e de segurança to package dry ice properly and avoid hazards.
Size and handle dry ice packs effectively using practical formulas and tips.
Explorar 2025 inovações e tendências como sensores IoT, blockchain traceability and portable cryogenic freezers.
What Are Dry Ice Bags and Dry Ice Packs?
Sacos de gelo seco are insulated shipping bags designed to hold dry ice or dry ice packs. They typically feature multiple layers of insulation and a leak proof outer shell to prevent condensation and CO₂ vapor from escaping. Pacotes de gelo seco, also called dry type ice packs, are portable refrigerant modules made from Polímero Super Absorvente (SEIVA) and non woven or permeable films that absorb water, form a gel and then freeze. Ao contrário da água congelada, dry ice packs do not create melt water; em vez de, the gel inside slowly releases ultra cold temperatures as it sublimates.
Como funcionam as bolsas de gelo seco
Dry ice packs usually consist of three layers: um camada externa of polyethylene or non woven fabric for strength and permeability, um SAP layer that absorbs water and forms a gel, e a leak proof composite film para evitar vazamentos. To activate a pack, you immerse it in water for several minutes until the SAP absorbs water and swells. Depois de congelar, the gel slowly releases its stored cold energy. Because the packs remain somewhat flexible after freezing, they can conform to the shape of the products, improving cooling efficiency.
| Componente | Função | Beneficiar para você |
| Camada externa (PE or non woven) | Provides permeability and structural strength | Prevents tearing and allows CO₂ vapor to escape safely |
| SAP layer | Absorbs and locks in water to form a stable gel | Creates long lasting cold without melt water |
| Filme à prova de vazamentos | Adds a safety barrier to contain the gel | Minimizes risk of leaks during transport |
Dry Ice Bags vs Dry Ice Packs
Dry ice bags and dry ice packs complement each other but serve different purposes. O bolsa acts as the insulated container, often made from multi layer materials like high density polyethylene (PEAD) and reflective foil. It holds the refrigerant and cargo, preventing heat ingress. UM pacote de gelo seco is the refrigerant itself. Modern premium packs use HDPE or EVA shells around a PCM matrix and insulated liner to hold –78.5 °C for 72–120 horas, whereas ordinary dry ice typically lasts 24–48 horas. Because premium packs are reusable for 100–200 ciclos, they significantly reduce waste and total shipping cost.
Why Choose Dry Ice Bags and Packs for Cold Chain Shipping?
Superior Temperature Control and Flexibility
Traditional gel packs can become rigid when frozen, and their cooling performance degrades quickly. Dry ice packs remain flexible, allowing them to conform to products and maintain consistent temperatures. They’re lightweight and compact, economizando espaço de armazenamento. Premium designs leverage composite shells, PCM matrices and insulated liners, giving them five times longer hold time than single use gel or dry ice packs. For vaccines and biologics requiring ultra cold conditions, dry ice packs can maintain –78,5 ° C. for multiple days.
Safety and Environmental Friendliness
The base materials in dry ice packs—non toxic SAP and water—do not contaminate products, and any leakage poses minimal environmental risk. Premium packs integrate safety features such as enclosed shells that prevent direct contact with solid CO₂, reducing the risk of cold burns. Because they are reusable, premium packs cut packaging waste and carbon footprint; some solutions such as the Marken InfiniDI reduce dry ice use by 50 % e reduzir o desperdício em até 90 %.
Cost Effectiveness and Reusability
Although dry ice has a low per shipment cost, it must be replenished for each use and is classified as hazardous. Premium dry ice packs require a higher upfront investment but can be reused dozens or even hundreds of times, lowering total cost per shipment. Compared with gel packs or –21 °C PCM bricks, premium packs provide longer hold times and more reuse cycles. De acordo com pesquisas de mercado, the global reusable icepacks market was em volta $1.2 bilhão em 2023 e espera-se que alcance $2.5 bilhão por 2032, driven by health, food and sustainability trends.
Considerações de segurança e regulatórias
Perigos do gelo seco
Gelo seco é a forma sólida de dióxido de carbono. At approximately –110 ° F. (–78,5 ° C.), sublima diretamente no gás, so it keeps products cold without creating liquid water. No entanto, dry ice itself is hazardous: it can cause frostbite on contact and can displace oxygen in confined spaces, leading to asphyxiation. Packages that don’t allow proper venting may explode from CO₂ buildup.
Regulations for Air and Ground Transport
O gelo seco é regulamentado como E 1845 and classified as a Aula 9 materiais perigosos. When shipping by air, packages must comply with Instrução de embalagem da IATA 954, include the proper shipping name, Número da ONU, net weight of dry ice and Class 9 Etiqueta de perigo. Packaging must allow CO₂ gas to escape—sealed plastic bags or metal containers are prohibited. The maximum allowable amount of dry ice per package in air transport is 200 kg. FedEx notes that plastic coolers must have openings to ensure ventilation and recommends using quality fiberboard, plastic or wooden boxes with polystyrene insulation.
Nos Estados Unidos, dry ice is not regulated for ground transport if packaged correctly, but packages must still be marked with the shipper and recipient’s names and addresses, the proper shipping name and UN number. Training in dangerous goods regulations is required for anyone preparing dry ice shipments.
Best Practices for Safe Handling
Wear protective gloves and goggles when handling dry ice to prevent frostbite and eye injury.
Permitir ventilação: never place dry ice or dry ice packs inside sealed containers. Use insulated bags or boxes with vents.
Etiqueta claramente: mark packages with “Dry Ice” (ou “Dióxido de Carbono, Sólido"), o E 1845 number and the net weight.
Não encha demais: siga o 200 kg limit for air shipments and adjust the amount based on container size and duration.
Include instructions for crew: note in the airway bill that the package contains dry ice.
Dry Ice vs PCM vs Gel: Análise Comparativa
Dry ice isn’t the only refrigerant for cold chain shipments. Materiais de mudança de fase (PCM) e pacotes de gel offer alternatives. PCM packs absorb and release heat at predefined temperatures, normalmente entre +2 °C e –20 °C, and are reusable and non hazardous. Os pacotes de gel congelam em 0 °C and provide chilled conditions. To help you choose, the following table compares typical hold time, ciclos de reutilização, temperature range and practical benefits:
| Tipo de refrigerante | Tempo de espera típico (h) | Ciclos de reutilização | Faixa de temperatura | O que isso significa para você |
| Pacote de gelo seco premium | 72–120 | 100–200 | –78,5 ° C. | Offers deep freeze integrity for multi day routes with lower total cost per shipment |
| Pacote de gelo seco padrão | 24–48 | 10–20 | –78,5 ° C. | Suitable for overnight or two day shipments but generates more waste |
| –21 °C Tijolo PCM | 24–72 | 12–24 | –21ºC | Ideal for ice cream lanes or partial freeze shipments; manuseio mais fácil |
| 0 Pacote de gel °C | 24–48 | 10–20 | 0 °C | Melhor para produtos refrigerados; não é adequado para itens ultracongelados |
| PCM reutilizável (2–8 ° C.) | 48–96 | 50–100 | +2 °C a –20 °C | Offers stable temperatures with minimal regulatory burdens and reduced CO₂ emissions |
Considerações sobre custos e sustentabilidade
Dry ice is inexpensive per shipment but must be replaced each time and contributes to CO₂ emissions. Os EUA. Department of Transportation and IATA classify it as hazardous, exigindo rotulagem e treinamento. PCMs and gel packs have higher upfront costs but are reusable and non hazardous, simplificando a conformidade. Premium dry ice packs bridge the gap: they still use dry ice but integrate PCM matrices and smart insulation to reduce sublimation by up to 30 %, extend hold time and cut re icing touch points.
Exemplo do mundo real: A frozen meal brand switched from four small gel packs to two high mass premium dry ice packs. The change cut packing time by about 25 % and maintained –20 °C for 48 horas during July’s hot lanes. The longer hold time and reduced labor improved efficiency and reduced waste.
Sizing and Handling Dry Ice Packs: Dicas práticas
Right Sizing the Refrigerant
For medium sized insulated shippers (20–30 litros), comece com 5–7 lb. (2.3–3.2 kg) de gelo seco por 24 horas. Increase to 10–15 lb. para caixas de 40–60 L acima 48 horas e 18–22 lb. para caixas de 60–80 L acima 72 horas, adding insulation for hot routes. A simple formula from Tempk multiplies box volume by duration and applies multipliers for ambient conditions and insulation:
# Dry ice mass estimatordef estimate_dry_ice_mass(volume_liters, duration_hours, ambient=’moderate’, insulation=’good’):
“””Estimate dry ice mass (Libra) based on volume, duração, ambient temperature and insulation.”””
base_mass = 0.25 * volume_liters * (duration_hours / 24) # baseline for moderate ambient & bom isolamento
multiplicador_ambiente = {‘cool’: 0.9, ‘moderate’: 1.0, ‘hot’: 1.35}[ambiente]
multiplicador_isolamento = {‘good’: 1.0, ‘better’: 0.8, ‘best’: 0.65}[isolamento]
return round(base_mass * ambient_multiplier * insulation_multiplier, 1)
# Example usage:
required_mass = estimate_dry_ice_mass(volume_liters=40, duration_hours=48, ambient=’hot’, insulation=’better’)imprimir(f”Estimated dry ice mass: {required_mass} Libra”)
Dicas de manuseio
Pre chill products and liners to slow sublimation and maximize hold time.
Use espaçadores e fluxo de ar: leave space around the packs or surround the payload with dry ice to improve contact and airflow.
Isolamento de camada: combine foil or vapor barriers with expanded polystyrene (EPS) ou painéis isolados a vácuo (VIPs) to boost thermal resistance.
Adjust mass for weather: double the dry ice mass for hot lanes; adicione 25–50 % buffer and validate with a data logger.
Validar com registradores de dados: insert temperature and humidity data loggers to ensure the shipment stays within required ranges.
2025 Innovations and Trends in Cold Chain Logistics
IoT Enabled Monitoring and Predictive Analytics
Cold chain monitoring solutions now use sensores, registradores de dados, GPS trackers and cloud platforms to provide real time temperature and humidity data. These systems send alerts when deviations occur, allowing immediate corrective action and reducing waste. The market for cold chain monitoring was valued at USD 5.3 bilhão em 2022 e espera-se que alcançar USD 10.2 bilhão por 2026, crescendo em um CAGR de 16.6 %. Grand View Research estimates the market at USD 35.03 bilhão em 2024 com uma projeção 23 % CAGR de 2025 para 2030, reflecting rapid adoption driven by regulations and IoT advances.
Blockchain para rastreabilidade
Blockchain technology creates a tamper proof ledger of shipment events, garantindo rastreabilidade de ponta a ponta. Registros de temperatura em tempo real, humidity and travel time can be shared with stakeholders to enhance trust and compliance. This is particularly valuable for pharmaceuticals, where data integrity and IP protection are critical.
Armazenamento frio movido a energia solar
Em regiões com eletricidade não confiável, unidades de armazenamento refrigerado movidas a energia solar provide sustainable solutions for temperature sensitive medicines. Solar installations can reduce energy costs—commercial solar rates range from 3.2 para 15.5 centavos por kWh, comparado com 13.10 centavos from utility grids. This helps bridge energy gaps in rural areas and lowers operating costs.
Smart Sensors and AI Driven Route Optimisation
IoT sensors with GPS functionality monitor temperature and location in real time. When unsafe temperatures are detected, the system automatically alerts operators via text or app notifications. Integrating artificial intelligence allows route optimisation based on real time traffic and weather data, reducing transit times and the risk of temperature excursions. Predictive analytics identify potential failures before they occur, further enhancing reliability.
Congeladores criogênicos portáteis
For biologics and cell therapies needing –80 °C a –150 °C, portable cryogenic freezers provide mobile ultra cold storage. These devices support last mile delivery of advanced therapies and represent an emerging segment of the cold chain equipment market.
Material and Design Innovation
Manufacturers are developing new absorbent materials and polymers that reduce dry ice loss by até 30 %. Modular designs allow shippers to customise insulation thickness, lowering freight costs and emissions. Integrated IoT sensors and industry standards like AQUI ESTÁ UM Registro e GS1 EPCIS 2.0 enable connected packaging that shares sensor data end to end.
Perguntas frequentes (Perguntas frequentes)
Q1: What’s the difference between a dry ice bag and a dry ice pack?
Dry ice bags are insulated containers designed to hold refrigerants and products, while dry ice packs are the cold source itself. Packs contain SAP and freeze to provide cold without water.
Q2: Quanto tempo duram os pacotes de gelo seco?
Standard dry ice packs maintain ultra cold temperatures for about 24–48 horas, whereas premium packs hold –78.5 °C for 72–120 horas e pode ser reutilizado 100–200 vezes.
Q3: Are dry ice packs safe for food shipping?
Sim. Dry ice packs use non toxic SAP and water and remain encased inside sealed shells, so any leakage poses little risk. Ensure packages allow venting and follow labeling rules.
Q4: What are the regulations for shipping dry ice?
O gelo seco é regulamentado como E 1845, Aula 9. Air shipments must follow IATA Packing Instruction 954, include hazard labels and allow CO₂ to escape.
Q5: How do I dispose of dry ice packs?
Allow the pack to thaw and sublimate in a well ventilated area away from people and pets. Once empty, many premium packs are reusable; se não, dispose of them according to local hazardous waste guidelines.
Resumo e recomendações
Dry ice bags and dry ice packs are indispensable tools for maintaining the integrity of temperature sensitive shipments. Dry ice packs made with SAP and non woven films provide flexible, resfriamento sem umidade, enquanto premium packs combine composite shells, PCM matrices and insulated liners for hold times up to 120 horas. Compared with gel packs and standard PCM bricks, premium dry ice packs offer superior cold retention and reusability. No entanto, dry ice is hazardous and regulated; as embalagens devem liberar CO₂, carry the E 1845 rótulo e siga as regras da IATA. Tecnologias emergentes, como sensores IoT, blockchain traceability and AI route optimisation will continue to improve cold chain visibility and efficiency. For a cost effective, cadeia de frio sustentável, choose reusable premium dry ice packs, monitor shipments with smart sensors and stay current with regulatory updates.
PRÓXIMOS PASSOS
Avalie suas necessidades de remessa: Determinar a faixa de temperatura, shipment duration and regulatory requirements for your products.
Escolha o refrigerante certo: Use premium dry ice packs for deep freeze shipments, PCM for medium temperatures, e embalagens de gel para produtos refrigerados.
Implementar monitoramento: Invest in IoT enabled data loggers and sensors to track temperature, umidade e localização em tempo real.
Treine sua equipe: Ensure staff preparing dry ice shipments complete the required hazardous materials training.
Contate especialistas: Consult with cold chain specialists to customise insulation, packaging and routing strategies.
Sobre Tempk
Nós somos a Temp, specialists in reusable cold chain packaging. Our product line includes pacotes de gelo seco premium, pacotes de gel, PCM Bricks, sacos isolados, e painéis isolados a vácuo. We focus on sustainability—our reusable dry ice packs maintain ultra low temperatures for up to 120 hours and withstand 100–200 reuse cycles. Nós integramos Sensores de IoT for real time monitoring and work closely with logistics partners to optimise routes and reduce carbon emissions. Se você envia vacinas, refeições gourmet ou amostras de laboratório, we’re here to help you design compliant, cost effective and eco friendly cold chain solutions.
Chamado à ação: Pronto para atualizar sua embalagem da cadeia de frio? Reach out to Tempk’s experts for a custom consultation.
