Humidity might seem like an invisible problem, but its effects can be devastating: corrosion, mould, electronic failures, and claims that can severely impact your profitability. Selecting the right desiccant bag helps prevent these damages while ensuring the quality of your products and the satisfaction of your customers.
In previous articles, we explored how desiccant bags work and the types and industrial applications of desiccant bags. Now, we go one step further, offering a practical guide to help you make informed decisions tailored to the specific needs of your industry and logistics operations.
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Key factors for selecting an effective desiccant bag
Choosing the right desiccant bag involves considering several factors that ensure maximum effectiveness. Below, we outline five essential aspects to keep in mind.
- Understand the environmental conditions
Assess the storage and transportation conditions. In environments with high relative humidity (RH), such as maritime transport or areas with abrupt temperature changes, calcium chloride bags stand out for their superior absorption capacity. For moderate climates, silica gel or activated clay provide effective and economical alternatives.
- Characteristics of the product to protect
Determine the sensitivity of your products to humidity. For instance, electronic items or metallic parts require desiccants that guarantee strict control, with silica gel being an ideal option. In industries prioritising sustainability, activated clay is an efficient and eco-friendly solution. It is also the most demanded format in the industrial sector.
- Duration of exposure
The duration for which products will be exposed to humid conditions is critical. For prolonged periods, such as international transport or extended storage, calcium chloride bags are the best choice due to their long-lasting absorption capacity.
- Size and volume of the packaging
The load volume also influences the choice. For large packages or voluminous goods, multiple bags distributed strategically are necessary to ensure uniform and effective coverage.
- Regulations and standards
Industries like food or pharmaceuticals operate under strict regulations that limit the permissible desiccant materials. Ensure the selected desiccant complies with the specific standards of your sector and relevant international regulations.
Selecting the right desiccant bag safeguards your products, optimises costs, and reduces risks. Analysing the conditions of each operation in advance or consulting with specialised advisors will enable you to implement moisture protection solutions strategically and efficiently.
Desiccant bags in anti-corrosion systems
The combination of desiccant bags with anti-corrosion systems, such as materials with volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) treatment, provides an advanced solution for protecting metal products and other moisture-sensitive materials in demanding industrial environments.
This integration enhances product protection by simultaneously addressing the risks of humidity and corrosion. By combining both technologies, a controlled environment is created to ensure comprehensive protection – ideal for industries where quality and durability are paramount.
Desiccants and VCI materials for complete protection
Desiccant bags and VCI materials work in synergy:
- Desiccant bags absorb moisture, the primary trigger for corrosion, maintaining low relative humidity (RH) inside the packaging.
- VCI anti-corrosion materials release volatile inhibitors that adhere to metal surfaces, forming an invisible molecular barrier that protects against oxidation and other corrosive agents.
This combination is particularly effective in environments with temperature and humidity fluctuations, such as maritime transport or long-term storage. Together, desiccant systems and VCI materials ensure that metal products reach their destination undamaged, even under adverse conditions.
Success stories in the industry
The integration of desiccant bags and VCI materials has proven to be highly effective in industries where the protection of metal products is critical.
Automotive industry
Engine components, precision parts, and other metal elements require protection both on production lines and during transport.
Steel industry
Steel coils, bars, and other metal products are preserved in perfect condition during extended storage, preventing corrosion even in high-humidity environments.
Aerospace industry
Metal materials and structures, highly sensitive to changes in environmental conditions, benefit from this technology combination to meet stringent quality and safety standards.
Advantages of integration
Combining desiccant bags and VCI systems offers multiple benefits:
- Enhanced protection against oxidation and deterioration factors.
- Adaptability to variable conditions, ensuring packaging integrity in environments with fluctuating relative humidity.
- Extended shelf life of stored products, maintaining optimal condition over long periods.
- Cost savings, reducing returns, repairs, and losses related to corrosion, particularly for high-value items.
- Compliance with stringent quality and safety regulations, essential in sectors such as automotive and aerospace.
Implementing this combined solution protects your products and strengthens your clients’ trust. Ensuring deliveries in optimal condition demonstrates a commitment to excellence and safety, setting you apart in highly competitive industrial markets.
Best practices to maximise the effectiveness of desiccant bags
To ensure desiccant bags perform at their best, it’s essential to follow specific practices that enhance their absorption capacity, extend the shelf life of products, and minimise risks of condensation and corrosion.
These measures include proper selection, placement, storage, and maintenance, guaranteeing optimal performance in any industrial environment.
Proper selection of the type and quantity of desiccant
Choosing the right desiccant and determining the appropriate quantity involves analysing factors such as the packaging volume, material permeability, and transportation and storage conditions.
Calculations are typically based on international standards and consider parameters like:
- Internal volume of the packaging
- Duration of the journey or storage period
- Permeability of the container or packaging materials
- Expected climate conditions
For example, maritime transport or long-term storage requires desiccants with higher absorption capacity, such as calcium chloride bags for containers. In contrast, moderate conditions may only require clay-based desiccants.
Consulting with humidity control experts ensures the correct selection and helps anticipate unforeseen factors that could compromise product protection.
Strategic placement of desiccant bags
Proper distribution within the packaging is crucial to maximise the effectiveness of desiccant bags:
- Uniform distribution: Avoid concentrating the bags in corners or specific areas. Balanced placement ensures even moisture absorption and minimises the risk of condensation in critical spots.
- Avoid direct contact: Although desiccant bags are designed to be safe, they should not come into direct contact with products, especially electronics or sensitive items. Using separators or internal packaging helps prevent unwanted interactions.
- Placement in critical areas: For zones exposed to greater temperature changes, such as container doors, adding extra desiccants enhances protection.
For example, while calcium chloride or container desiccant bags offer high absorption capacity, they should avoid direct contact with metal surfaces due to their corrosive nature.
- Ensure airtight sealing: Poorly sealed packaging can significantly reduce the desiccants’ effectiveness by allowing constant external moisture to enter.
Storage and handling of desiccants
To maintain their effectiveness, desiccant bags should be stored in a dry environment and kept in their original sealed packaging until use. This prevents premature moisture absorption and ensures optimal performance.
It is essential to handle desiccant bags with care to avoid punctures or tears, as these can compromise their absorption capacity.
Regular inspections of long-term storage protect products and ensure the desiccants are ready for effective use when needed.
Consider transport and storage conditions
Maritime transport and routes with variable climates present challenges due to temperature fluctuations and high humidity. In these cases:
- Using high-capacity desiccants, such as container desiccant bags, ensures protection during long journeys.
- Assessing the route and transport methods helps anticipate potential risks and adapt the quantity and type of desiccants accordingly.
In warehouses, conducting periodic inspections and replacing saturated bags is essential for maintaining effective protection, particularly in spaces without strict climate control.
Adapting desiccants to the specific conditions of transport and storage ensures optimal protection against the harmful effects of moisture.
The correct selection, handling, and application of desiccant bags is not merely a technical matter but a key strategy to protect your products, optimise costs, and strengthen customer trust.
Implementing these best practices significantly reduces risks associated with moisture, minimises returns and damage, and ensures deliveries in optimal condition.
Need assistance?
At Inviker, we understand that each industry and product has unique needs. Our team of experts is ready to guide you in selecting the right desiccant and ensuring its optimal application. Contact us today to guarantee maximum protection for your products.