Top 7 Industries in the Twin Cities That Benefit From Dry Ice Blasting

If your operation runs on tight schedules and stricter standards, cleaning shouldn’t slow you down. Dry ice blasting services from the Clean ‘N Seal team offer a fast, residue-free way to remove tough buildup without water, harsh chemicals, or abrasive media. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the top industries in Minneapolis–St. Paul that get the most value from dry ice blasting, with real examples and practical benefits for each.

What Is Dry Ice Blasting (& Why Is It Fit for Twin Cities Industries)?

Dry ice blasting propels solid CO₂ pellets at high speed to break the bond between contaminants and surfaces. On impact, pellets sublimate — turning from solid to gas — so there’s no added moisture and no media to collect afterward. 

Cleaning is driven by three forces acting together: kinetic energy, thermal shock from -109°F pellets, and the rapid expansion of CO₂ lifting debris.

Why local teams choose it:

• No water or chemicals near equipment or electronics.

• Non-abrasive on metals, plastics, wiring, and seals when tuned correctly.

• Minimal disassembly and faster turnarounds — ideal for busy urban facilities.

• Reduced cleanup and disposal since there’s no secondary media.

Now, let’s look at where it delivers the biggest impact around Minneapolis–St. Paul.

1. Food & Beverage Processing

From snack manufacturers to dairy and meat processors, Twin Cities food plants need spotless equipment and fast changeovers.

How it’s used:

• Remove baked-on oils, sugars, proteins, and carbonized residues from ovens, mixers, conveyors, and packaging lines.

• Clean motors, drives, sensors, and control panels without water risk.

• Strip adhesive overspray and label residue from bottling and canning lines.

• Detail-clean stainless steel surfaces to prepare for sanitizing protocols.

Benefits:

• Faster changeovers with less teardown and reassembly.

• Support for audit readiness and consistent results across shifts.

• Lower chemical exposure and reduced slip hazards from wet cleaning.

• No secondary media to clean up around open product zones.

Pro tip: Dry ice blasting removes soils that harbor contaminants; pair it with approved sanitizers to meet microbial targets and GMP requirements.

2. Manufacturing & Assembly

The Twin Cities host a wide mix of manufacturers — medical device, aerospace, metal fabrication, printing, plastics, and more. Each faces stubborn residues that slow maintenance and quality checks. While different media blasting can aid in the cleaning process, dry ice cleaning is often more effective with less mess. 

How it’s used:

• Degrease presses, gearboxes, robotics, weld cells, and conveyors in place.

• Remove adhesive overspray, mold release agents, and lacquer from fixtures and tooling.

• Clean electrical cabinets and PLC enclosures with dry, non-conductive practices.

• Feather or remove light paints and light surface rust to prep for coatings.

Benefits:

• Shorter maintenance windows and fewer production interruptions.

• Better protection for sensitive components and surfaces.

• Cleaner, safer work zones with less chemical usage.

• Consistent quality outcomes for audits and customer visits.

3. Municipal Facilities & Public Works

Pressure washing city streets and sidewalks is just the start of what public works facilities need help with. City, county, and state teams across the Metro need dependable cleaning without downtime, moisture risk, or complicated disposal. 

How it’s used:

• Clean pump rooms, lift stations, and treatment equipment without introducing water.

• Remove soot, smoke film, and char in municipal buildings after small fires.

• Restore public spaces — statues, masonry, bridges — by lifting grime and graffiti while preserving substrates.

• Maintain transit infrastructure by cleaning housings, switchgear, and electrical enclosures.

Benefits:

• Faster return to service for critical infrastructure.

• Less masking and containment compared to abrasive blasting.

• Reduced cleanup and lower disposal costs.

• Improved safety and visibility in tight maintenance windows.

4. Utilities & Power Generation

Reliability matters in a region with cold winters and hot summers. Dry ice blasting helps utilities cut deposits and risks without taking equipment offline longer than needed.

How it’s used:

• Clean generators, turbines, and switchgear without moisture.

• Remove carbon deposits from insulators and housings.

• Maintain cooling equipment and electrical rooms with non-conductive methods.

Benefits:

• Preventive cleaning that helps reduce forced outages.

• Safe, dry process around sensitive components.

• Streamlined maintenance during planned shutdowns.

5. Restoration & Remediation (Fire, Smoke, & Mold)

When damage strikes, fast, thorough cleaning speeds up rebuilds and reduces odor at the source. Soda blasting is often used in fire and smoke restoration, but dry ice blasting is a good alternative to avoid dusty conditions. 

How it’s used:

• Strip soot and char from structural lumber, brick, and stone after a fire.

• Remove smoke film on metal and masonry without soaking substrates.

• Lift mold from wood framing, sheathing, and masonry to prep for remediation and encapsulants.

Benefits:

• Less sanding and scraping — especially in tight profiles and pores.
• Reduced odors by removing residue rather than masking them.
• Faster dry times and fewer moisture concerns than wet methods.
• Cleaner surfaces are ready for sealing, priming, and reconstruction.

6. Transportation, Warehousing, & Logistics

Distribution hubs and fleet operations demand uptime and clean equipment.

How it’s used:

• Degrease dock equipment, conveyors, and automation systems in place.

• Remove road grime, oils, and adhesives from trailers and fleet components.

• Clean electrical panels and chargers for material handling equipment safely.

Benefits:

• Minimal disruption to busy warehouses and docks.

• Safer floors and work areas with no water added.

• Quick cleanup and rapid return to operations.

7. Healthcare, Laboratories, & High-Tech

Precision and cleanliness go hand-in-hand in controlled environments across the Twin Cities.

How it’s used:

• Clean production equipment, housings, and enclosures without moisture.

• Remove residues on sensitive assemblies and test fixtures where abrasives are a risk.

• Detail-clean labs and controlled environments as part of changeover and preventive maintenance.

Benefits:

• Non-abrasive cleaning that protects high-value assets.

• Less residue and dust compared to traditional blasting.

• Easier compliance with cleaning documentation and validation needs.

Next Steps for Your Local Operations

Schedule a site walkthrough and free estimate with the Clean ‘N Seal team to see if dry ice blast cleaning is the right choice for your operations. 

A cleaner surface with less downtime and minimal cleanup isn’t just nice to have — it’s a competitive edge in a busy metro. Call us at 952.393.9588 or fill out our contact form to send us a message directly.