FAQ

ASCO offers a comprehensive range of products: dry ice machines, dry ice blasting equipment, CO₂ recovery systems, CO₂ storage tanks, evaporators, dosing systems and related accessories for the industrial, food, pharmaceutical, plastics and events sectors. Find out more here.

ASCO operates in over 100 countries, with partners and service centres across Europe, Asia and North America. Its headquarters (Wittenbach) and production centre for dry ice machines and blasting equipment (Eschlikon) are located in Switzerland. Further branches are situated in the USA, Germany and France. Details here.

ASCO products can be purchased directly from us or from one of our many partners worldwide. You can find an overview of our partners here.

Yes, our services include maintenance, repairs, training and commissioning, all carried out on-site at our customers’ premises worldwide. Find out more here.

Food, pharmaceuticals, plastics, rubber, aviation, the events industry, the automotive sector, agriculture and many more. You can find an overview of all applications via the following links:

Dry Ice Production
Applications Dry Ice Blasting
Applications CO₂ Recovery Applications
 

Yes, all spare and wear parts for machines and accessories are available from ASCO or our partners, including worldwide delivery. Further information.

Delivery times vary depending on the model and destination country. Please contact us and we will be happy to check the delivery time.

Yes, we develop CO₂ recovery systems for industrial use and dry ice production, enabling the efficient and sustainable recovery of CO₂. You can find more information here.

CO₂ is non-toxic and non-flammable, but it can displace oxygen in enclosed spaces. If concentrations become too high, there is a risk of suffocation. Good ventilation, gas detectors and safe handling are therefore particularly important – especially in basements, storage rooms or around tank facilities. However, high concentrations can cause headaches, dizziness or shortness of breath. From around 8–10% CO₂ in the air, there is an acute risk of suffocation.

Liquid CO₂ is stored and transported under high pressure and at low temperatures. As soon as the pressure is reduced, it evaporates and turns into a gas. Gaseous CO₂ is used directly in many applications, such as dry ice machines, the drinks industry, greenhouses and laboratory processes. Both forms require a suitable infrastructure.

CO₂ is usually stored as a cryogenically liquefied gas in insulated pressure tanks or as a gas in pressure cylinders. Safe storage requires pressure relief valves, temperature monitoring and certified fittings. Storage conditions must comply with specific standards in each country. Click here to view our CO₂ storage tanks

CO₂ is transported either in high-pressure cylinders, in tankers or via pipelines. Transport is subject to strict safety regulations, including ADR regulations for road transport. It is particularly important that containers are correctly labelled and that valves are properly protected.

In the DACH region, the European Pressure Equipment Directives (PED), technical regulations such as TRGS 900/751, and national regulations for storage tanks and gas installations apply. Regular inspections by certified specialist bodies are also mandatory. We would be happy to advise you on this – click here for the contact form.

Dry ice is produced when liquid CO₂ is expanded, causing some of it to turn into solid snow. This CO₂ snow is compressed into pellets, blocks or sheets. Dry ice has a temperature of −78.5 °C and is used for cooling, cleaning and in transport.

CO₂ is one of the most significant greenhouse gases and amplifies the natural greenhouse effect. As CO₂ levels in the atmosphere rise, the Earth traps more heat. This leads to an increase in global average temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events and the disruption of ecosystems.

The increase is mainly attributable to the burning of fossil fuels (coal, gas, oil), industrial processes, cement production, deforestation and changes in land use. At the same time, forests and oceans are absorbing less CO₂.

ASCO supplies dry ice in the form of pellets, nuggets or blocks – ideal for cleaning, cooling or transport. ASCO supplies the right machines for every form. View the products

Dry ice is produced by compressing and expanding liquid CO₂. This creates dry ice flakes, which are then moulded into the desired shape. Find out more here.

Dry ice must be stored in insulated dry ice boxes or containers. This helps to minimise sublimation losses. Find out more here.

Shelf life depends on storage conditions, quantity and insulation. In ASCO dry ice boxes, pellets remain stable for up to several days. Find out more here.

Dry ice is non-toxic and non-flammable, but it can cause frostbite and should therefore only be handled whilst wearing protective equipment. In enclosed spaces, care must also be taken to avoid a build-up of CO₂. CO₂ detectors improve safety. 

Yes, dry ice is food-safe and ideal for cooling, storing and transporting meat, fish, fruit and frozen foods.

The quantity depends on temperature requirements, storage time, the type of product and the packaging. ASCO is happy to advise companies on demand planning. Fill in the contact form now.

Protective gloves, safety goggles and ventilation are mandatory. CO₂ detectors improve safety in work areas. 

In dry ice cleaning, the pellets are accelerated to a speed of approximately 300 m/s using compressed air in the ASCO dry ice blasting machine and strike the object to be cleaned, where they create a localised thermal shock. This causes the coating to be removed to contract and detach from the base material. The resulting kinetic energy removes the coating. Upon impact, the dry ice pellets immediately turn into a gaseous state (sublimation), leaving a dry surface behind. Only the detached coating remains, and no blasting media needs to be disposed of. As the pellets have a hardness of only approx. 2 on the Mohs scale, the surface quality is preserved. More here

Machinery, tools, moulds, conveyor belts, paint booths and laboratory equipment for the industrial, food production, rubber, plastics and automotive sectors. Find out more here.

No, dry ice is not abrasive and leaves no residue, so it won’t damage delicate surfaces. Find out more here.

Residue-free cleaning, minimal downtime, environmentally friendly, hygienic, suitable for food and pharmaceutical environments. Find out more here.

Yes, it is possible to clean ovens, conveyor belts, silos and mixers to a hygienic standard. No residues or chemicals – making it suitable for food contact.

Food industry, pharmaceuticals, plastics, automotive, rubber, aerospace and industrial maintenance. Find out more here.

Yes, there are no chemical residues or water pollution – the process is sustainable and safe for staff.

It is safe when used correctly with protective clothing and adequate ventilation. CO₂ detectors improve safety

Liquid CO₂ from storage tanks is the basis for dry ice production. Find out more here.

Depending on the type of machine, this ranges from a few kilograms to several tonnes per day. You can find an overview of our machines here.

Modern dry ice production systems can be used to produce pellets, nuggets or blocks in various sizes. The shape depends on the application: pellets are suitable for cooling and dry ice blasting, whilst nuggets and blocks are preferred for cooling during transport, in logistics or for food applications. With modular systems, businesses can produce several formats simultaneously. Find out more here.

Food, pharmaceuticals, plastics, rubber, aviation, the events industry, the automotive sector, agriculture and many more. You can find an overview of the possible applications here.

Yes, ASCO machines supply food-grade dry ice for storage, transport or packaging. You can find an overview of the machines here.

With ASCO Carefree, you can hire your dry ice machine, CO₂ tank, packaging system or LH900 CO₂ cylinder filling system – without any high upfront costs. You pay a fixed monthly fee and in return receive state-of-the-art technology, regular maintenance and reliable service. On request, we can also take care of the CO₂ supply and tank logistics. More information

It takes around 2.2 to 2.5 kg of liquid CO₂ to produce 1 kg of dry ice, as a certain proportion evaporates during expansion. Modern pelletisers optimise this process to achieve the highest possible yields and thereby reduce production costs.

Dry ice sublimates continuously and loses between 5–20% of its mass per day, depending on storage conditions. In high-quality dry ice boxes or insulated containers, the cooling capacity is maintained for longer. Businesses with their own production facilities benefit from being able to produce exactly the amount they need.

A CO₂ recovery plant filters carbon dioxide from exhaust or process gases, purifies it and liquefies it. Typical steps include absorption, drying, compression and liquefaction. The result is high-quality CO₂ that can be used in food, industrial or chemical applications. These processes are automated and energy-optimised, meaning that existing production lines are barely affected. Find out more here.

Businesses benefit from lower emissions, reduced CO₂ taxes, a better environmental footprint and the opportunity to reuse the captured CO₂ in a commercially viable way. At the same time, companies become less reliant on external CO₂ supply chains and improve their security of supply. Find out more here.

Breweries, biogas plants, industrial facilities, the gas industry, the oil industry, chemical companies and all production processes with high CO₂ emissions are particularly suitable. Recovery systems can be efficiently integrated wherever CO₂ is produced and can be utilised at the same time. Find out more here.

CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilisation) involves the reuse of captured CO₂ – for example, in beverages, welding gas, dry ice, agriculture or synthetic fuels.
CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) describes the permanent storage of CO₂ in geological formations.

CCU has the advantage of enabling direct economic use and closing regional CO₂ cycles, whereas with CCS, the CO₂ is permanently sequestered and therefore no longer enters the atmosphere.

Capturing and reusing CO₂ significantly reduces emissions into the atmosphere. At the same time, recycled CO₂ replaces fossil CO₂ produced through energy-intensive processes. This reduces the overall carbon footprint of industrial processes, which is a key component of global climate strategies.

Yes, modern recovery systems achieve levels of purity that meet the stringent requirements of the food and beverage industry. This requires appropriate cleaning stages and quality controls to reliably remove impurities from the CO₂. ASCO recovery systems meet these requirements.

Cost-effectiveness depends on CO₂ consumption, production volume and local CO₂ prices. Many businesses recoup the cost of recovery systems within a few years, as they produce their own CO₂, reduce emissions and save on the costs of purchasing or transporting it.

Yes. Many CO₂ recovery systems can be integrated into existing production lines on a modular basis. This enables companies to expand their existing production systems in an environmentally friendly way without having to carry out major modifications.

Yes. Plants can be powered by green electricity, which further reduces their carbon footprint. Furthermore, by combining captured CO₂ with renewable hydrogen, it is possible to produce climate-neutral fuels or synthetic raw materials – an important step towards a circular economy.

Modern systems are largely automated and designed for continuous 24/7 operation. They require only regular maintenance and monitoring, which keeps the day-to-day workload to a minimum.

Most systems achieve high purity levels of up to 99.9% or higher. Depending on the model, the CO₂ is suitable for technical, industrial or food-grade applications. Thanks to their modular design, the systems can be adapted to meet specific quality requirements.