Container and Carton Moisture Protection
Protecting your Exports: Understanding Why Moisture Damage Happens
Introduction
Studies indicate that about 10% of container shipments suffer from moisture damage, leading to significant economic losses. This issue also results in other consequences such as environmental impact from cargo waste, increased insurance costs, extended claim processing times, and damaged customer relationships. Fortunately, high-quality solutions exist to prevent moisture damage from container condensation..
Understanding Container Moisture
When a container is loaded, it contains moisture from the air, cargo, packaging, goods being shipped, and pallets. As the temperature rises, this moisture evaporates into the air, increasing the relative humidity inside the container. When the temperature drops, the moisture condenses into water drops on cooler surfaces of the container. This evaporation and condensation cycle, known as the container’s condensation cycle, leads to the “rain effect,” where condensation drops fall on the cargo, causing moisture damage. The condensation typically forms on the ceiling and walls of the container.
The Dew Point
The dew point is the temperature at which air moisture condenses into water. It is directly related to relative humidity and is critical in understanding when condensation will occur inside the container. For example, at 25ºC with 70% relative humidity, the dew point is 19ºC. Maintaining temperatures below this point prevents condensation.
Factors Increasing Moisture Risk
1. Loading and Unloading Delays: Prolonged exposure to sunlight during these stages increases temperature fluctuations.
2. Destination: Shipments crossing different climate zones or equatorial regions have higher condensation risks.
3. Load Conditions: High moisture levels in the loading area increase relative humidity inside the container.
4. Container Position: Containers exposed to sunlight experience greater temperature variations.
5. Weather: Extreme weather conditions during transport affect cargo.
6. Type of Goods: Moisture in packaging materials like wooden pallets and cardboard boxes contributes to condensation.
Preventing Condensation
To break the condensation cycle and protect cargo, a combination of solutions is recommended, such as using Hybag Desiccants and condensation-absorbing Hyblankets to combat “container rain.”
Using Desiccants
The absorption capacities of desiccants vary depending on their design and formulation. The Hybag series offers a range of options, with absorption capacities from 100% to 350%. The quantity required per container depends on factors such as container size, weather conditions, transit duration, and the type of packaging used.
Hybag Desiccant Benefits
1. Prevents humidity-related damage during transport
2. Easy hook-on installation
3. Zero leak technology
4. Complies with international standards (RoHS, REACH, FDA)
5. Reduces packaging and carbon footprint
6. Long shelf life (2 years)
7. Available in various formats
Pre-Loading Tips
1. Inspect container conditions before loading (sweep the floors and check walls for any damage/holes).
2. Ensure container door seals are intact.
3. Evenly distribute desiccant bags inside the container based on hook location.
4. Leave vents open for air flow/circulation.
5. Calculate the required desiccant amount based on destination, container type, and cargo type.
6. Use a Hyblanket for optimum protection given the risk of excess moisture or “container rain”.
Conclusion
Using a combination of desiccants and absorbent blankets provides comprehensive protection against condensation damage, ensuring that cargo arrives in good condition. Hybags and Hyblankets offer a reliable, economical, and environmentally friendly solution for preventing moisture-related issues during shipping.
Here are some ways how we help to protect containers and cartons from moisture:
Silica gel:
Bags of silica gel can be inserted into the container for protection of your cargo from humidity.
Desiccants
These moisture absorbers are often in the form of small packets that contain a chemical that absorbs moisture from the air. Desiccants can be placed in containers, boxes, or bags, and can also be used to fill poles on container walls or dry bags on the floor. Some examples of desiccants include silica gel, calcium sulfate, charcoal, and calcium chloride.
Insulation
Insulating a container can be a cheaper alternative to cladding the interior.
Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)
This technique involves adjusting the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen in the package to create an optimal environment for the product.
Laminated sheets
Covering the top, bottom, and sides of a cardboard box with laminated sheets can help reduce water damage.
Breathable mesh material
Some moisture absorber packets are made from breathable mesh material, which allows them to absorb moisture more efficiently.
The Essential Difference – Why you should choose us as your supplier?
With our range of dehumidification services, you can preserve the quality of your humidity-sensitive cargo throughout the entire transportation journey.
Protect your cargo's quality:With our special container preparations, the quality of your humidity-sensitive cargo can be protected thoughout the journey.
Meet your specific needs in transportation:
1.Electronic devices.
2.Cargo with high-fibre content such as handicrafts, furniture, agricultural products (grain, cocoa beans, onions, avocados, etc.), clothes and other fabrics.
3.Materials for packaging such as pallets, cartons and cardboard.
Frequently Asked Questions About Container and Carton Moisture Protection:
What are desiccant bags, and what are they used for?
Desiccant bags are bags filled with moisture-absorbing desiccant materials such as Silica gel, Calcium Chloride, or clay minerals. They are used to control humidity inside shipping containers and protect cargo from moisture-related damage during transportation and storage.
What industries can benefit from desiccant bags?
Desiccant bags are essential in various industries, including automotive manufacturing, packaging, pharmaceuticals, textile, leather, electronics, and food products, where they are used to safeguard products from damage due to moisture, mold, heat, dust, contamination, and corrosion.
Are desiccant bags sustainable and non-toxic?
Our Desiccant bags are sustainable and non-toxic, since they are made with environmentally friendly materials and are USFDA-approved. They help maintain product quality and integrity without causing any harm to the environment or the packaged products.
How long do desiccant bags provide protection?
Desiccant bags offer up to 60 days of protection depending on their type and composition. This ensures that the environment remains dry and the products they protect remain of high quality.
What are the properties of desiccant bags?
Desiccant bags contain materials with high moisture adsorption capacity, and these materials effectively absorb and permanently bind moisture, ensuring the safety and integrity of the cargo during transportation and storage. Our Desiccant bags are easy to use. All you have to do is hang the desiccant bags inside the container walls and these bags are ready to protect your products from moisture.
How much desiccant do I need to protect my products from moisture damage?
As a general rule, a shipping container needs at least 1.2 desiccant material per cubic foot of volume. You can also reach out to us for a free consultation on customized desiccant bags needed for your cargo.
What are desiccant packs and pouches?
Desiccant pouches are small packets that are made with natural materials and Tyvek packaging that are filled with a very efficient and effective moisture-absorbing material, such as silica gel or clay, that is used to protect products from moisture damage during storage or shipping.
How do desiccant products work?
Desiccant products work by absorbing moisture from the surrounding environment, which helps to prevent moisture damage to products during storage or shipping. Desiccant materials, such as silica gel, clay, molecular sieve, and activated carbon, are used to create desiccant products. The Sorbipak desiccant products are placed inside packaging materials, such as boxes or bags, to help protect products from moisture damage.
How many desiccant packets or quantities do I need for my cargo or packaging?
The amount of desiccant product needed depends on several factors, including the size of the shipment or product, the level of humidity in the surrounding environment, and the type of desiccant material used.
How do desiccant bags protect sensitive materials during transportation?
Desiccant bags absorb high amounts of moisture, dust, humidity, heat, and contaminants from the surrounding air and environment, preventing condensation and other humidity-related damage during shipping and handling of sensitive items and products during long transits or storage. They play an essential role in the transportation of goods, particularly in the pharma, chemical, and automotive sectors.
Are desiccants safe for use with edibles and food packaging?
Yes, desiccants are safe for use in food packaging. They are specifically designed to meet food-grade standards, regulations, and compliances such as USFDA and ISO to help preserve the freshness and quality of packaged food products.
How long do desiccant paks last?
The shelf life of dry products varies depending on a variety of factors, such as the type of dry material used, product size, and ambient humidity. Our desiccant pak can adsorb high amounts of moisture from the surrounding air and are long-lasting.
Are desiccant pak desiccants sustainable and affordable?
Our desiccant materials and paks, pouches, strips, and bags are made with highly sustainable materials and are eco-friendly. They can be reused multiple times by regenerating them making it an affordable moisture adsorbing solution for use with numerous products and packaging.
Can desiccant paks be customized for my specific needs?
Yes, we provide customized DRY365 Desiccant pak sizes and quantities according to your needs and specific requirements. You can use them to effectively safeguard your products from moisture damage, no matter the quantity of products, the transit/storage times, and the varying storage conditions.
Can I reuse the Desiccant Pak desiccants multiple times?
Yes, you can reuse the Desiccant Pak desiccants such as Silica gel and Molecular sieve desiccants multiple times by simply regenerating them using heat, which can efficiently remove the moisture from the desiccant material and packaging to make it reusable. This also makes it an eco-friendly and sustainable product.
How do I know my products are moisture damaged and need desiccants during packaging and storage?
If products are exposed to excess or varying levels of moisture and humidity levels during packaging, storage, and transportation, they become highly susceptible to moisture damage like growth of mold, mildew, microorganisms, spoilage, and other functional damage. By using effective desiccant solutions you can safeguard your products from these detrimental effects.
How can I purchase high quality and best suitable desiccant products?
You can reach out to us to get a free quote and consultation to obtain a customized DRY365 Desiccant pak solution for your products or packaging. We are leading global manufacturers and suppliers of USFDA-approved moisture-adsorption solutions and serve numerous industries and industrial applications.
Are there regulations governing the use of desiccants in various packaging?
Yes, since DRY365 Desiccant are used along with a plethora of products, like food, pharmaceuticals, drugs, electronics, leather, and other sensitive items, they need to follow all the stringent regulations and compliances of that particular industry. Sorbipak desiccants are compliant with all the necessary regulations and compliances and safe to use in different industries.
Is Silica Gel a good cargo desiccant?
Silica Gel is one of the best cargo desiccants available. It has a high moisture absorption rate, is stable, and is non-toxic. This makes it an ideal cargo desiccant for protecting goods during transport. Silica Gel effectively adsorbs excess moisture, which prevents condensation and protects cargo, and is useful in industries such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and logistics, where moisture control is essential.
Are desiccants cross-industry compliant?
Yes, DRY365 Desiccant are cross-industry compliant. They are suitable for use in a variety of industries, from pharmaceuticals to food, electronics to oil, automotive to logistics, and are cross-sectoral in nature. Since they are designed for flexibility, desiccants provide moisture control solutions for a wide range of applications.
Why are desiccant strips essential for the electrical and electronics industry?
Using DRY365 Desiccant strips can be very beneficial for packaging and storing products from the electrical & electronics industry. Since sensitive electronic components are highly susceptible to moisture-induced corrosion, by using desiccant strips you are preventing moisture damage during storage, shipping, or use, and these strips can effectively ensure that devices remain operational and reliable.
Are there specific temperature or humidity conditions that cargo desiccants work best in?
Cargo desiccants can effectively work in a variety of temperature and humidity environments, making them suitable for a variety of shipping applications. They work well in both high and low temperature environments and thus can be used in shipping containers that usually travel through long distances and varying weather conditions overseas.
