Dry Ice International Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
Dry Ice for Sale in Port Elizabeth
- 041 451 0181
- info@dryice.co.za
- 25 Kwaford Road, Straundale, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 6001
Buy Premium Dry Ice in Port Elizabeth – Fast, Reliable Delivery for All Your Cooling Needs
Dry Ice International is your trusted supplier of premium dry ice in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and across the Eastern Cape. Located at 25 Kwaford Road, Struandale, we’re just a call away at 041 451 0181 or info@dryice.co.za. From keeping food fresh during load shedding to preserving seafood and creating fog effects for events, we provide cooling power that lasts.
With over 30 years of experience manufacturing and distributing nationwide, we guarantee reliable delivery, including same-day service in Port Elizabeth. Order online or visit us today.
We also offer polystyrene containers and cooler boxes for sale.
What is Dry Ice?
Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide (CO₂) that sublimates directly into gas at -78.5°C, making it far colder and more effective than water ice. Produced by compressing and cooling CO₂ gas, it’s available in pellets, slabs, or blocks. At Dry Ice International, we recover over 99% of CO₂ during production, ensuring cost-effective and sustainable manufacturing. From freezing flowers instantly to generating dramatic fog effects, dry ice delivers cooling versatility right here in Port Elizabeth.
Why Buy Dry Ice in Port Elizabeth?
In Port Elizabeth, where fishing ports, food markets, and rolling blackouts define daily life, dry ice is an essential solution. South Africa faced over 300 days of load shedding in 2023, with Stage 6 cuts continuing in 2024. Dry ice provides up to 48 hours of cooling without electricity, protecting groceries and business stock.
Our Struandale facility produces and delivers fresh dry ice daily across the Eastern Cape, often within hours. Choose from pellets, round blocks, or square blocks, with affordable pricing starting from around R200. With our in-house fleet and reliable couriers, “buy dry ice near me in Port Elizabeth” has never been faster or easier.
The Key Benefits of Using Dry Ice
Dry ice offers seven times the cooling power of water ice, without leaving messy puddles. In Port Elizabeth’s fishing industry, it keeps seafood like hake and prawn’s fresher for longer, preserving flavour and extending shelf life for export.
Globally, the dry ice market was worth USD 1.54 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit USD 2.73 billion by 2032, driven by demand in food, pharma, and biotech. Locally, hospitals and labs rely on dry ice for vaccine and specimen transport at -70°C to -80°C, maintaining cold chain integrity. In industry, dry ice blasting cleans machinery without water or chemicals, ideal for Eastern Cape’s water-scarce environment.
For households, it’s the perfect backup during outages, helping reduce South Africa’s R10 billion annual food waste. Dry ice is non-toxic, residue-free, and highly effective across multiple applications.
How to Use Dry Ice Safely and Effectively
Safe handling is key: always use insulated gloves and safety glasses to prevent burns and never touch dry ice directly. Store it in ventilated coolers or polystyrene boxes – never airtight containers – to avoid gas buildup.
For home fridges during outages, 2.5kg of dry ice typically lasts 24 hours. For events, 5–10kg blocks provide fog or cooling for up to 48 hours, depending on insulation. Place dry ice at the bottom of coolers, wrapping items to prevent freezer burn. For industrial cleaning, our trained teams ensure safe compliance with South African health and safety standards.
Dry Ice Applications in Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape
Dry ice supports multiple sectors in Port Elizabeth and Gqeberha:
- Food: Flash-freezing hake, prawns, and seafood for export or local sale.
- Medical: Transporting temperature-sensitive vaccines and samples from Nelson Mandela Bay hospitals.
- Events: Creating fog effects at the Boardwalk and Summerstrand beaches.
- Industrial: Cleaning automotive and mining machinery around Uitenhage without water.
- Households: Preserving dairy and meat during load shedding, reducing spoilage.
With fresh local production, affordable prices, and same-day delivery, Dry Ice International is Port Elizabeth’s leading choice for dry ice – powering the Friendly City with cold that lasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dry ice, and how is it made in South Africa?
Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide that sublimes at -78.5°C. In South Africa, it’s produced by compressing CO₂ gas and cooling it to solidify, with facilities like ours recovering over 99% of the gas for eco-friendly manufacturing.
How long does dry ice last in a cooler?
In a well-insulated cooler, 5kg of dry ice pellets can last 24-48 hours, depending on ambient temperature and ventilation. For Port Elizabeth’s mild climate, use polystyrene boxes for optimal results.
Is dry ice safe to use with food during load shedding?
Yes, dry ice is food-grade and non-toxic when used properly. It keeps fridges below 4°C without melting into water, ideal for South Africa’s 2024 power outages – just ensure indirect contact with food.
Where can I buy dry ice in Port Elizabeth?
Visit our Struandale branch at 25 Kwaford Road or order online for delivery. We offer pellets, blocks, and custom packs, with same-day service in Gqeberha.
Can dry ice be used for cleaning in Eastern Cape industries?
Absolutely – dry ice blasting removes contaminants from equipment in food processing and mining without chemicals, saving water in our region.
What safety precautions should I take with dry ice?
Wear gloves to prevent frostbite, ensure ventilation to avoid CO₂ accumulation, and never store in sealed containers. We provide handling guidelines with every order.