WHAT IS CONTAINER RAIN AND HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?
Temperature and humidity levels inside a container fluctuate to extremes during ocean voyages. Temperature fluctuations are caused by day-to-night temperature changes and traveling through different climate zones.
Container rain happens when changes in temperature causes the moisture inside the container (from the air, products, and packaging material) to condense on the roof and walls of the container. This condensation is also known as container rain.
The moisture drips onto the cartons like rain, causing moisture damage to products and creating a high humidity environment inside the container where mold likes to grow.
Container rain can cause: caking of powder, mold, corrosion, peeling labels, warping packaging etc
WHAT DO A|B DRY DESICCANTS DO AND HOW DO THEY WORK?
A|B Dry desiccants aggressively remove moisture from the air inside containers to prevent container rain, thereby protecting products from all forms of moisture damage during shipment and creating a low humidity environment inside the container.
As the desiccant absorbs moisture it prevents condensation from forming on the walls of the container.
The calcium chloride contained in A|B Dry desiccants absorbs moisture from the surrounding air that passes through the outer breathable packaging material. The gel ensures absorbed moisture is trapped in the product and cannot leak.
WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS TYPES OF DESICCANTS
Calcium Chloride desiccants: absorb more than 300% of their own weight. Can absorb in -5°C to +90°C temperature range.
Clay & Calcium Chloride desiccants (activated clay): absorb up to 80% of their own weight. Can absorb below +50°C temperature range.
Pure Clay desiccants: absorb up to 30% of their own weight. Can absorb below +50°C temperature range.
Silica Gel desiccants: absorb up to 27% of their own weight. Can absorb below +37°C temperature range.
HOW MUCH DESICCANT SHOULD I USE?
The quantity of desiccant needed to prevent moisture damage during shipment of a container will vary depending on various factors such as shipment time, climate conditions, air volume in the container, cargo type, type of packaging used, etc.
Our experts are here to help you work out what you need to prevent moisture damage in your shipments.
WHY IS IT BETTER TO TAPE SHUT THE CONTAINER VENTILATION HOLES WHEN USING DESICCANTS?
When the container ventilation holes are left open, fresh air (read more humidity) is allowed to come into the container as it travels through various climate zones.
This means the desiccants have to work constantly to absorb humidity and run the risk of being saturated if too much humidity keeps on coming into the container through the ventilation holes.
Take the wet sponge analogy. A sponge can absorb a certain amount of water and when it is full, it just cannot absorb more. This can happen with desiccants if you keep on having more humid air coming into the container. So, you need to make sure you minimize the amount of wet air that comes into the container or factor in the fact the container ventilation holes are left open when calculating how many desiccant bags are needed in a container.
As a general rule, we recommend taping the container ventilation holes after fumigation.
HOW DO I DISPOSE OF A|B DRY DESICCANTS AFTER USE? WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY ASPECTS?
A|B Dry desiccants are made of safe, non-toxic materials that can be disposed of with regular waste and are fully compliant with REACH and a wide range of international regulations.
The hanger and bags are made of plastic materials which can be recycled, the mix inside the bags can be disposed of as normal waste.
The ink we use is water-based ie non-toxic.
HOW LONG DO A|B DRY DESICCANTS WORK?
Tested and verified by independent third-party labs, A|B Dry desiccants last up to 90 days.
HOW LONG CAN I KEEP A|B DRY DESICCANTS?
The shelf life is three years in its original packing.
Store in dry conditions, at normal temperatures and out of direct sunlight.