Dry Ice for Cold Transportation
24/7 Emergency Support
0% Water Contamination Risk
Reliable Ultra-Cold Shipping Across South Africa
Dry ice is the ultimate solution for cold transportation, maintaining temperatures of approximately −78.5 °C without leaving liquid residue. Ideal for frozen food, pharmaceuticals, laboratory samples, and industrial products, it keeps goods dry while providing consistent ultra-low temperatures throughout transit.
Unlike conventional ice, dry ice sublimates directly from solid to gas, preventing moisture damage and ensuring products remain frozen during shipping. Businesses across South Africa—from food distributors and seafood exporters to pharmaceutical companies and research labs—rely on dry ice for secure and reliable cold transportation.
Breaking the cold chain can spell disaster
Dry ice can be used to support and stabilise conventional refrigeration systems during transport, helping maintain consistent temperatures when conditions change. Refrigerated transport helps—but temperature deviations still happen during loading, delays and last-mile delivery. One failure can lead to rejected stock, compliance issues and major losses.
Dry Ice = Risk Reduction + Compliance Insurance.
Dry Ice vs Other Cold Transportation Methods
Refrigeration helps control temperature. Dry ice helps guarantee it.
Other Cold Transportation Methods
- Fluctuate during loading and unloading
- Fail mechanically
- Struggle with last-mile delivery and frequent door openings
- Lose performance during power interruptions or extended stops
Dry Ice provides:
- Stable cooling (no reliance on power in transit)
- A backup temperature buffer during disruptions
- Support for ultra-low temperature requirements (below -18°C)
- Reduced temperature loss during door openings
- Added confidence for pharmaceutical cold chain compliance
Cooling Method | Temperature | Advantages | Limitations |
Dry Ice | −78.5 °C | Ultra-cold, no water residue, no power needed | Requires ventilation |
Gel Packs | −5 °C to 0 °C | Reusable, inexpensive | Limited cooling |
Refrigerated Transport | 0 °C to −25 °C | Precise temperature control | High cost, requires power |
Dry ice is preferred for ultra-cold shipments and situations where passive, reliable cold transportation is essential.
Why Choose Dry Ice for Cold Transportation
- Ultra-Low Temperature – maintains −78.5 °C for extended periods.
- Dry Cooling – no moisture damage to products.
- Power-Free Operation – ideal for long or remote shipments.
- Flexible Packaging – blocks, pellets, or slices for any container type.
Dry ice is a proven, reliable solution for food, pharmaceutical, and laboratory cold transportation across South Africa.
How It Works
Simple, Reliable Process – Dry ice sublimates directly into gas — no moisture, no contamination, just consistent temperature control from start to finish.
01
We Supply
High-quality dry ice and insulated containers tailored to your exact needs.
02
You Ship
Load your goods with confidence — dry ice provides reliable temperature control in transit.
03
It Arrives Safe
Products arrive at the perfect temperature. No mess, no moisture, no risk.
Use Cases
- Emergency backup when refrigeration is compromised
- High-value shipments where failure isn’t an option
- Ultra-cold loads and deep-freeze requirements
- Extended stops & delays (traffic, collections, transfers)
- Door-open heavy routes (multi-drop deliveries)
Calculating the Right Amount of Dry Ice
The amount needed depends on transport duration, insulation quality, ambient temperature, and product weight.
Transport Duration | Dry Ice Requirement |
12–24 hours | 5–10 kg per 100 kg product |
24–48 hours | 10–30 kg per 100 kg product |
48–72 hours | 30–50 kg per 100 kg product |
Using insulated containers and limiting container openings can significantly extend cooling duration.
Complete cold transport solutions
We supply high-quality dry ice plus insulated container options for reliable transport.
Polystyrene Containers Lightweight, dependable insulation for temperature stability.
Brilliant Black Tainer (Premium Option)
Superior insulation and durability with custom branding available.
For refrigerated transport companies
Offer your clients stronger reliability with Refrigerated Transport + Dry Ice Stabilisation.
Available options:
- Bulk supply agreements
- On-site replenishment
- Emergency response supply
Read More
How Dry Ice Maintains Ultra-Low Temperatures
Extreme Cooling Power
Dry ice’s temperature of −78.5 °C allows it to rapidly freeze products and maintain frozen conditions during long-distance transport. This slows microbial growth, preserves product integrity, and is especially useful where refrigerated vehicles are unavailable.
Sublimation: Cooling Without Moisture
The sublimation process—direct transition from solid CO₂ to gas—keeps products dry while continuously absorbing heat. This makes dry ice the preferred method for sensitive shipments such as pharmaceuticals, frozen foods, and biological samples.
Optimising Cold Transportation in South Africa
Dry ice is widely used for cold transportation between cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, and over long rural routes where refrigeration infrastructure may be limited. Typical applications include:
- Food and seafood distribution – preserves quality during long shipments
- Pharmaceutical transport – maintains vaccines, lab samples, and biological materials
- Laboratory and research logistics – keeps samples frozen for testing
Dry ice is versatile and can be used in pellets, blocks, or slices, allowing businesses to tailor cooling duration and container fit for each shipment.
No refrigerated vehicle available? Dry Ice is a reliable alternative.
Ideal for:
- Standard delivery vehicles (non-refrigerated vans/trucks)
- Courier and last-mile deliveries
- Emergency collections and urgent dispatch
- Rural/remote routes where refrigeration isn’t accessible
- Temporary cooling during vehicle breakdowns or power interruptions
Why it works:
- Maintains reliable low temperatures in insulated packaging
- Keeps shipments dry (no meltwater)
- Adds temperature stability during stops, delays, and door openings
Request a Quote
Tell us what you’re transporting and we’ll recommend the right dry ice quantity and container setup—response within 24 hours.
Contact Us Directly
24-Hour Emergency Support
Gauteng: 083 375 6627
KZN: 031 569 6209
Western Cape: 083 243 6483
Eastern Cape: 083 243 6483
Best Practices for Safe Cold Transportation
- Use high-quality insulated containers to reduce heat transfer.
- Pre-chill containers before loading products.
- Avoid airtight containers—dry ice releases CO₂ gas during sublimation.
- Minimise opening during transit to slow sublimation.
Following these best practices ensures products remain frozen, dry, and safe throughout South Africa’s transportation network.
Need guidance?
We’ll advise on the correct packaging approach and safe handling for your application when you request a quote.
We offer dry ice for sale in all metros including – Cape Town, Gauteng, Durban, Port Elizabeth.
FAQ's
How cold is dry ice?
Dry ice maintains −78.5 °C, far colder than water ice.
How long does dry ice last during transport?
Depending on insulation and quantity, it can last 24–72 hours.
Is dry ice safe for transportation?
Yes, if containers allow proper ventilation to release CO₂ gas.
What products use dry ice?
Frozen foods, vaccines, lab samples, and biological materials.
How much dry ice is needed?
Generally 5–30 kg per 100 kg of product depending on shipping duration and container insulation.
