Dry ice, or solid carbon dioxide, is one of the world’s most versatile materials.

It provides superior cooling and longevity compared to regular ice. Since it sublimes rather than melts, it produces less residual waste, lasts longer, and allows frozen products to stay cold for extended periods.

Here are dry ice’s other notable characteristics:

• It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless
• It doesn’t hold any moisture, making it naturally bacteria and fungus resistant
• It’s three times colder than regular wet ice
• It’s readily available and more cost-effective

These advantageous qualities ensure that dry ice has a steady demand from several industries, including the medical, food, shipping, aerospace, and automotive sectors.

Medical Industry

Dry ice has a number of applications in the medical sector. It could, for instance, be used as a more cost-effective alternative to liquid nitrogen during minor dermatological procedures such as wart removal.

But its biggest application in the healthcare industry is the transportation of sensitive materials such as biological samples and crucial organs.

As we mentioned, dry ice can stay frozen for long periods and is thus more likely to keep samples fresh during transit. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties also make it practical for transporting organs. 

Food Industry

Dry ice has been approved by the FDA, the USDA, and the EPA as safe to use around food. For this reason, it has a number of applications that are mostly due to its refrigerant properties.

Apart from being great at keeping food fresh and frozen, dry ice is also known for its antibacterial abilities. Since it doesn’t hold moisture or leave any residue behind, it’s exceptionally useful at keeping mold and mildew at bay. This helps keep kitchens sanitized while reducing instances of foodborne diseases, allergens, and spoilage.

Shipping Industry 

Since it is three times colder than regular ice, dry ice is extremely efficient at keeping perishable goods fresh for long periods. Depending on the kind of substance that is being shipped, it can also come in a number of shapes and sizes — blocks, pellets, slabs, or rice. 

Aerospace and Automotive 

Apart from shipping, dry ice also comes in handy for cleaning. A process known as dry ice blasting is regularly employed by several industries. The aerospace and automotive industries are just a few examples. 

Dry ice blasting can be used to clean work surfaces and electrical sockets without exposing these areas to any moisture. It can also clean heavy equipment such as cranes, fans, and presses without risking electrical damage. 

Make the Most of Dry Ice with nexAir

Almost every industry relies on two processes — keeping things cold and keeping things clean. Because of this, dry ice is widely used across industries and geographies.

No one knows this better than nexAir. Through nexAir Carbonic, we supply the highest quality of dry ice for and help you figure out how to get the most out of it. 

Whether you rely on us to supply gases or substances like dry ice, we have been sharing our KnowHow for over 80 so companies like yours can Forge Forward with the supplies you need.