Processing and Manufacturing

Food Processing

Meat processors use dry ice (or Liquid CO₂) to keep meat temperatures low and reduce spoilage – dry ice has been proven to preserve freshness, color and flavor.

In sausage manufacturing, dry ice serves two purposes in the processing stage:

• it retards bacteria growth, and
• it keeps the sausage cold as it is grinded

Winemaking (Cryomaceration)

Dry ice is utilized in the maceration stage of winemaking (i.e. the time the juice from the grapes is left in contact with the skins and stems), to inhibit the beginning of fermentation by rapidly reducing the temperature below 10° C. This technique is called 'pre-fermentative cryo-maceration', or using low temperatures to delay fermentation.

The benefits of using dry ice in maceration are:

• Initial rate of fermentation is slowed
• Bacteria growth is inhibited
• CO₂ gas displaces oxygen around the grapes, reducing damage from oxidation or risk of oxygen spoilage
• Does not affect or contribute to humidity levels in the wine
• Produces more organoleptic wines than traditional fermentation methods
• Produces wines with higher quality color, smell, taste and feel

Additionally, dry ice is used to transport the grapes from vineyard to cellar, preventing exposure to high temperatures, onset of fermentation or rapid fermentation. Similarly to its use in cryo-maceration, dry ice in transporation lowers the chance of spoilage by oxidation and maintains the quaility of the grapes.

Baking

The baking industry incorporates dry ice into mixing processes for a few reasons: to slow yeast growth, control dough temperature, and impede bacteria. Due to some of dry ice's properties – bacteriostatic, food-grade, and residue/water free – dry ice makes a perfect addition to any food manufacturing process.

Composite Material Manufacturing

Dry ice is used in composite materials production to keep components cool and malleable. For example, aircraft manufacturers use carbon fiber cloth to construct composite structures. In order to prevent curing, the carbon fiber cloth must be held at a very low and consistent temperature throughout the manufacturing process, and dry ice serves as this constant coolant.