The producers of dry ice in the state are ready to ramp up production for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, but supply will hinge on the availability of ethanol, according to a report from Wisconsin Public Radio.
Dry ice is needed to keep the recently-approved vaccine from Pfizer cold during shipment and storage. In Wisconsin, dry ice is used by the dairy industry to keep cultures used for cheese and yogurt at the appropriate temperature. To ramp up needed production, dry ice makers are paying attention to their supply of carbon dioxide, primarily sourced from ethanol production, which is liquefied and compressed to make dry ice. Gov. Tony Evers announced the state would allocate up to $3.25 million to support the state’s nine ethanol plants by using CARES Act funding.
