The first observations related to dry ice date back to 1835 and are due to French chemist Charles Thilorier, who at that time was performing experiments on the liquefaction of carbon dioxide at low temperatures.
Only many years later, in the late 1800s, came the first applications of dry ice in the food industry, specifically in whiskey production.
Today, the excellent cooling power of dry ice is used in countless practical applications, from oenology to the transportation of perishables, from cryopooling to the world of entertainment.
Let’s find out, then, what dry ice is, specifically food-grade dry ice, how it is produced, applications in the food&beverage industry, and where to buy it.
What is dry ice?
Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide (CO₂) and comes in the form of blocks or pellets. CO2 in the liquid state as a result of gas expansion forms CO2 in the solid state or carbon snow, which when compressed becomes dry ice.
When heated or at room temperature, it does not change from solid to liquid state, but sublimates directly into gas form. The low temperature of dry ice captures moisture in the air and that is why there is cloud cover.
Dry ice: what is it used for?
With almost twice the cooling power of water ice (equal to 150 kcal/kg), dry ice is a perfect material for maintaining low temperatures and helps to break down moisture in the surrounding environment. But not only that, it is also an excellent antimicrobial agent, hindering the reproduction of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.
Due to these properties, today dry ice is used in a variety of processes and different industries. Here are the main ones:
- Food industry
From cold chain management for the refrigerated transport of perishable aliments to the thermoregulation of dough and meat processing, the uses of food-grade dry ice are many; we will look at them specifically in the following paragraphs - Enology
Dry ice is exploited in the grape harvest as it is useful for improving the quality of the wine produced; an ad hoc discussion is also devoted to this topic. - Pharmaceutics
Like food, various drugs, as well as vaccines, serums, blood samples, and biological materials of various types, need to be transported at low and constant temperatures; here, too, action can be taken quickly and efficiently through the use of dry ice. - Cooling equipment industry
Carbon dioxide, solid or liquid, can be an excellent substitute for refrigerant gases in mechanical cooling systems. - Cryoblasting
By projecting small pellets or microgranules of dry ice at high speeds, it is possible to effectively clean industrial plants, leaving no residue behind, this process is called cryoblasting or Dry Ice Blasting.
Dry ice for food: applications in the food industry
As mentioned, food dry ice plays a major role in several commodity categories of food products, from production to transportation to the point of sale.
Dry ice for food transportation
The demand for transportation and handling of perishable food is constantly growing, partly due to the changing needs of consumers. This phenomenon affects the entire food supply chain, from producers to large-scale retailers, as well as e-commerce and traditional outlets, which are increasingly involved in the home delivery phase.
In this context theUse of food-grade dry ice in refrigerated transport stands as a valuable ally in ensuring thecold chain efficiency and the shelf-life of foods,being able to cover cold needs from small-quantity transport and quick moves, to long-distance handling of large volumes, without large investments and in compliance with the refrigerated transport regulations.
Solid carbon dioxide provides a viable alternative to mechanical refrigeration systems.
The thermoregulation of doughs with food-grade dry ice
In the white art of baked goods production, each step is critical to achieving a quality end product.
In the mixing and blending stages of doughs, food-grade dry ice allows exact temperature control, slows leavening and reduces bacterial growth and aroma loss, ensuring a qualitatively and quantitatively better result.
Here is a successful example of the use of solid CO₂ in dough thermoregulation processes.
Dry ice in the meat industry
similar use occurs in the meat processing industry, in which the heat produced during mixing and grinding is one of the main factors to be monitored and governed.
Food-grade dry ice is extremely functional for this purpose, allowing the right moisture content to be maintained throughout the processing process and ensuring that the meat retains its natural color, a symptom of quality and freshness.
Learn about the case study of Lombardia Carni.
Food grade dry ice in enology
The CO₂ solid is also an ally of good wine: in the form of under food-grade dry ice or carbonic snow is used for the formation of protective atmospheres against oxidative phenomena, and for maintaining low temperatures during transport of grapes from the vineyard to the winery, in crushing and in must holding tanks.
Learn more about the use of carbon dioxide in enology here.
The advantages of food-grade dry ice
Transversely across all sectors, the use of dry ice provides tangible benefits:
- Efficiency and effectiveness
Dry ice provides reliable cold chain maintenance for both fresh (+4°C) and frozen (-20°C) products and ensures controlled temperature maintenance for up to 72 hours
- Versatility
This flexibility of use is as serviceable for large quantities as for small refrigerated transport - Simplicity of use
Due in part to its ability to occupy limited space, it is the fastest and most manageable refrigerant to use, enabling rapid preparation of deliveries - Affordability
Does not require specific investment in dedicated cold logistics equipment, dry ice can be purchased according to specific needs
ICEandGO: SIAD’s dry ice.
With nearly a century of experience in the field of technical and food gases, we at SIAD Group have developed a specific solution for the dry ice supply: ICEandGO, the direct delivery service even in small quantities, which with the COOOL® Freetogo and COOOL® RollBox products completes our offering in the refrigerated transport sector.
In addition to the quality of service, what sets the dry ice produced by SIAD is the origin of carbon dioxide, 100% captured or recovered from biogas supply chain: a virtuous example of circular economy with which it is possible to Producing high-purity CO₂ by reusing spent activated carbon From industrial waste.
Where to buy dry ice
We have created an online portal dedicated to ICEandGO where you can order dry ice for food and non-food use in total convenience, safety and speed.
On the site, 8-kg and 15-kg packages of E290 food-grade dry ice can be ordered, as well as the possibility of agreeing on custom-quantity orders, with 24-hour nationwide delivery in reusable food-grade isothermal containers, along with a sheet for safe use of the product.
Learn more about our offer or to find out more write us: foodandbeverage@siad.eu
