How To Start a Dry Ice Blasting Business (Full Guide!)

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Starting your own dry ice-blasting business can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.

I know you’ve probably been thinking about how great it would be to be your own boss and grow a profitable company but just weren’t sure where to begin.

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

In this guide on “How To Start a Dry Ice Blasting Business,” I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get your business up and running.

We’ll cover all the basics – from equipment and licensing requirements to marketing and pricing.

I have talked with a bunch of successful Dry Ice blasting business owners on LinkedIn and I’ll share all the tips and tricks I’ve learned from these people that will save you time and money.

So get ready to learn the inside scoop on starting your own dry ice-blasting empire! Let’s get to it.

Table of Contents

What Is Dry Ice Blasting?

Dry ice blasting is a process of cleaning surfaces using carbon dioxide in the form of dry ice pellets.

The pellets are accelerated through a blast nozzle using compressed air, and upon impact, the dry ice sublimates on contact, leaving behind a clean surface.

How To Start a Dry Ice Blasting Business (1)

This process is often used to clean industrial machinery, as it is an effective way to remove dirt, dust, and other contaminants without damaging the equipment.

It can also be used to clean molds and dies and is often used in food-processing facilities to clean conveyor belts and other surfaces.

Dry ice blasting is a safe and effective alternative to traditional cleaning methods such as sandblasting or chemical cleaning.

It is non-toxic and does not create hazardous waste products.

Look at this Google trends graph for the term “Dry-ice blasting”.

What does this graph mean?

Well, this graph means that people are constantly looking for dry ice-blasting cleaning services online.

This means that starting a dry ice blasting business is going to be really profitable if done in the right way.

The Benefits of Dry Ice Blasting

Dry ice cleaning has many benefits, including the following:

Environmentally friendly: Dry ice blasting uses compressed air and carbon dioxide pellets, so there are no harmful chemicals or messy waste products. This makes it a greener cleaning method.
Non-abrasive: The dry ice sublimates on impact, so there is no abrasion or damage to surfaces like sandblasting causes. This makes it safe for delicate materials.
No secondary waste: The dry ice pellets disappear as gas, so there is no secondary waste to clean up after blasting. This improves efficiency.
Increased productivity: Dry ice cleaning is often faster than other methods, reducing downtime. The non-conductive properties also allow cleaning around live electrical equipment.
Versatile: Dry ice blasting can be used on many surfaces like metal, plastic, rubber, and more. It effectively removes paint, oil, grease, resin, and contaminants.
Improved safety: Operators work further from the blast area, unlike other abrasive methods. The lack of cleanup also improves safety.
Revenue driver: Offering dry ice blasting as a service allows businesses to generate revenue from this effective cleaning and maintenance method.

Is Dry Ice Business Profitable?

Based on my research, i can definitely say that starting a dry ice blasting business is going to be very much profitable for you.

Services charge $200 to $400+ per hour for blasting. Dry ice pellets cost around $2 per kg. So the profits can be pretty sweet.

According to one business owner I’ve talked to on LinkedIn, they make around $100 per hour!

As they put it:

“Dry ice blasting is definitely profitable. We charge $350-$500 an hour for service and make about $100 per hour after all the expenses.”

Pros

Growing, in-demand service
Eco-friendly process
Versatile with wide application
Minimal specialized equipment

Cons

Requires safety training
Limited shelf life complicates logistics
High start-up costs (average $30K)
Competition from established providers
Weather impacts ice supply

How Much Can You Earn?

When I asked him to please tell me a more detailed breakdown of the expenses and profits, we got this:

Equipment costs: Let’s assume a moderate starting setup of $50k for a blast machine, accessories, PPE, storage, vehicle, etc.
Dry ice costs: He mentioned that a normal job consumes around 30-200kg/hr. Let’s assume 100kg/hr at a cost of $2/kg = $200/hr.
Billing rate: Seems to range $350-$500/hr, let’s pick $350/hr.
Labor: Need 1-2 operators, let’s say paying them $20/hr fully loaded cost.

So for 1 hour of operating:

Revenue = $350

Expenses: Dry ice: $200 Labor: $40 Total: $240

Gross Profit = Revenue – Expenses = $350 – $240 = $110

Assuming could operate for 1500 billable hours in a year (at 3 hours/day, 5 days/week, 50 weeks), annual revenue would be $450,000.

Expenses would be: Dry ice: 1500 * $200 = $300,000
Labor: 1500 * $40 = $60,000 Total expenses = $360,000

Annual Gross Profit = $450,000 – $360,000 = $90,000

So in this example, the dry ice blasting business could generate approximately $90,000 in gross profit annually.

This is an oversimplified estimate but gives a sense of the potential profit ranges. Profitability increases with higher billing rates, lower dry ice costs, efficiency in operations, and more billable hours based on demand. Let me know if you need any clarification on this!

The bottom line?

This industry has serious growth potential Starting a dry ice blasting business can be very profitable with the right strategy and marketing.

The market is expanding rapidly. And COVID recovery is further boosting demand.

How To Start Your Own Dry Ice Blasting Business

There are many reasons you might want to start your own dry ice blasting business. Maybe you’re tired of working for someone else, or maybe you just want to be your own boss.

Whatever the reason, starting your own business can be a rewarding experience.

If you’re thinking about starting your own dry ice blasting business, there are a few things you need to know.

Here I have mentioned important key points that you need to follow before starting your dry ice blasting business.

1. Research The Industry

When starting any business, it is important to research the industry you are entering. This is especially true for a dry ice-blasting business.

There are many things to consider when starting this type of business, such as the competition, what equipment you will need, and what type of customers you will be targeting.

One of the most important aspects of starting a dry ice-blasting business is understanding the competition.

Who are they? What services do they offer? What are their prices? By understanding your competition, you can better position yourself in the market.

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2. Get Your Business Registered

As a new business owner, you must take the proper steps to ensure your business is legal.

This includes registering your business with the government. Depending on the type of business you have, you may need to register with the state or federal government.

You will need to fill out paperwork and pay any required fees. It is important to have all of your documentation in order before starting your business.

You may also want to consult with a lawyer to make sure everything is done correctly. Failure to register your business could result in fines or even legal action against you.

3. Get a Business Website

A website is important for any business, but especially for a dry ice-blasting business. A website allows you to showcase your services and customers can easily find and contact you.

A website is a great way to show potential customers what you can do. You can use before and after photos, testimonials, and case studies to demonstrate the benefits of your services. Customers can also get an idea of your price range and what kind of services you offer.

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In addition to showing off your work, a website is also a great way to stay in touch with current and past customers. You can use a contact form on your website to answer any questions they may have.

A website also allows you to reach more customers through SEO and organic search traffic.

So I recommend you to get a business website created for yourself, it will hardly cost $1500 – $2000 for a decent website that will get the stuff done for you.

4. Get a Team

As the owner of a dry ice blasting business, it is important to have a good team in order to grow and scale your business.

A good team can help you with the day-to-day operations of your business, as well as help you expand into new markets.

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When choosing a team for your business, it is important to select individuals who have experience in the industry.

You should also look for team members who are passionate about growing your business and are willing to put in the extra work required to help you reach your goals.

A good team will be an asset to your business and will help you achieve success.

Choose wisely when selecting your team members, and always keep the goal of growing your business in mind. With a great team by your side, you can take your dry ice-blasting business to new heights.

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5. Get The Equipment and a Storage Space

If you’re thinking of starting a dry ice blasting business, the first step is to get the right equipment. Dry ice-blasters can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $40,000, so it’s important to do your research and choose the right one for your needs.

You will also need storage space for your equipment and dry ice. This can be a room in your home or office or even a storage unit. The important thing is that the space should be large enough to store all your equipment safely.

6. Market & Get Initial Clients

Starting a dry ice-blasting business can be a profitable move. However, like any business, it takes hard work and dedication to get it off the ground and make a profit.

One of the most important aspects of starting any business is marketing. You need to let people know that you exist and that you are open for business. There are many ways to market your new dry ice-blasting business.

One of the most effective ways to market your business is through social media. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are great ways to reach a large audience with minimal effort.

Create pages on these platforms and start posting about your new business. Be sure to include attractive photos and videos of your work. You should also encourage customers to leave reviews on your social media pages.

You can also hand out flyers and place ads in local publications. Whatever marketing strategy you choose, make sure you’re consistent and always putting your best foot forward.

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How Much It Cost To Start a Dry Ice Blasting Business

The cost of starting a dry ice blasting business depends on the equipment you need and the size of your team. You’ll also need to factor in salaries and rent for your space.

To get started, you’ll need a dry ice blaster, an air compressor, and hoses. You can expect to pay around $15,000 – $40,000 for all the equipment.

You’ll also need a team of trained professionals to operate the equipment. Depending on the size of your team, you can expect to pay salaries ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 per year.

Additionally, you’ll need to factor in the cost of renting space for your business. A small office or warehouse space will cost around $1,500 per month.

With all these factors considered, you can have an idea about how much it is going to cost to start a dry ice-blasting business.

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FAQ on How to Start a Dry Ice Blasting Business

Here are commonly asked questions on starting a dry ice-blasting business.

What kind of compressor do I need for dry ice blasting?

For dry ice blasting, you’ll need a high pressure (80-150 PSI), high capacity (250-600 CFM) compressor with features like oil-less operation, large air tank (60-80 gallons), rotary screw design, moisture separators, and ASME safety certification.

Portable electric or diesel units in the 15-30 kW range offer mobility. Expect to invest around $4,000 to $8,000+ for a suitable professional-grade compressor. The right compressor is crucial for optimized dry ice usage and reliable blasting power.

How much can you make dry ice blasting?

Most dry ice blasting businesses charge hourly service fees of $200 to $400+.
Average small jobs may take 4-8 hours, while large industrial projects can exceed 50 hours.
At $300 per hour, a 16 hour job would generate $4,800 in revenue.

With good project volume and overhead control, experienced operators can realistically earn $5,000 to $15,000+ in profits per month.
However, profitability requires building an efficient operation and customer base. The market potential exists to ultimately generate six-figure incomes annually in this growing industry.

Dry ice blasting machine rental cost?

Here are some typical costs for renting a dry ice blasting machine:
Small portable units – $200 to $300 per day
Mid-size wheeled units – $350 to $500 per day
Large trailer-mounted units – $500 to $800+ per day

Conclusion

In conclusion, starting your own dry ice blasting business is a great way to be your own boss and make a good living. With a little hard work and dedication, you can be successful in this business.

It is important to have a clear understanding of the process and the equipment involved. By following these tips, you will be well on your way to starting your own dry ice blasting business.