New technology will extend transport distance with dry ice

RAY SMUTS NEW TECHNOLOGY could soon put an end to limitations of transporting dry ice over long distances, says Dry Ice International’s Danie van Rooyen. He says the single most important challenge facing the dry ice industry is centred around extending the lifespan of a continuously sublimating product, even though first level success has been achieved with the development of Dry Ice International’s ‘Heat Buster’, which enhances product lifetime by 50%, enabling travel distances to increase concurrently. “However, with an effective lifespan expectancy of eight days at the present time, replenishing stations are often required en route to ensure constant temperatures are maintained. “This is of course nearly impossible, given current infrastructure levels in Africa, yet we are positive that a new technology solution will soon be ready, making it possible for a transporter to effectively travel between ten and 14 days without having to replenish.” Van Rooyen says in the current climate of poor electrical supply and frequent mechanical failures of mobile and onsite refrigeration equipment, it does become an alternative to employ the ‘distinct qualities’ of dry ice to ensure satisfactory temperature levels, ranging from temperature sensitive to hygienically controlled cargo. Dry Ice International is the largest manufacturer of -78.5°C dry ice in South Africa and finds itself uniquely positioned in a supportive capacity to the perishable cargo industry. “This service, often required in the transport of ice cream, foodstuffs, blood specimens, medical samples and a variety of low temperature cargo, is critical to maintain product integrity and particularly challenging when multiple stops result in loss of temperature.”