Liquid and solid carbon dioxide are important refrigerants, especially in the food industry, where they are employed during the transportation and storage of ice cream and other frozen foods. Solid carbon dioxide is called "dry ice" and is used for small shipments where refrigeration equipment is not practical. Solid carbon dioxide is always below −78.5 °C at regular atmospheric pressure, regardless of the air temperature
An environmentally-friendly alternative, carbon dioxide (CO2) is the world’s number one choice of refrigerant. Global legislation, as well as the Kyoto and Montreal Protocols, which reviewed substances linked to ozone depletion and climate change, encourage its use.