Who hasn't seen them, the little bags in bags, shoes and many other non-food packaging. They are designed to protect products from the unpleasant effects of moisture during storage and transport. In a world in which climate change and the preservation of the environment are becoming increasingly important, sustainable solutions are also needed in this area.
Desiccants are essential for preserving the quality of consumer goods by Moisture adsorption and protect them from all forms of moisture damage such as mould, rust and equipment malfunctions in electronics, while extending the shelf life of perishable goods. This adds up to significant quantities and it is worth considering the environmental impact of conventional desiccants. These are synthetic, manufactured in resource-intensive and potentially polluting processes and are often packaged in plastic, contributing to chemical and plastic waste in landfill sites.
Sustainable solution approach
Micro-Pak has developed and launched a sustainable solution. As one of the leading suppliers of mould protection products and desiccants for global brands and retailers, Micro-Pak has recognised the need for sustainable alternatives and developed Dri-Clay-Kraft to market maturity in 2018. The globally active company from Hong Kong can draw on 25 years of expertise in this area and is also committed to environmental issues in general.
This innovative desiccant is made from natural bentonite clay is completely plastic-free and non-toxic. Bentonite clay is a natural rock made from various clay minerals with montmorillonite as the main component. This is characterised by a very Effective water absorption out. The ingredient is therefore excellent at absorbing moisture. Even if the clay traps moisture, it always remains dry on the outside, so there is never any risk of leakage.
The packaging is also made from biodegradable FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified kraft paper. The bags are available in various formats and weights of one, two, six, 17, 33 and 66 grams for optimum use in practice. Last year, more than 500 million bags were sold worldwide.
The desiccant is exempt from the REACH regulation, but still passes all tests for substances of very high concern (SVHC).
Strategic approach
By using Micro-Pak Dri-Clay Kraft, companies can make a contribution to sustainability and at the same time minimise Maintain the effectiveness of moisture control in their products. This sustainable alternative is a responsible choice for brands and retailers and helps to reduce the environmental footprint of conventional desiccants.
Micro-Pak's mould prevention products and service solutions for the retail and manufacturing industries are versatile and can be used in a wide range of sectors, including textiles, leather goods, wood products, electronics, furniture and household goods, metal products, cosmetics, even food and agricultural products. Also in the The desiccant industry is increasingly concerned with the development of sustainable solutions. go.
„Consumers are becoming increasingly environmentally aware and are demanding responsible products. It is beneficial to switch to sustainable desiccants in order to protect the environment and contribute to climate protection. This is the only way the desiccant industry can find its place in a sustainable future.“
Ute Østerby, Sales Manager Europe from Micro-Pak
Renowned users
One of the major customers in Europe is Intersport International Corporation. Its suppliers currently use around nine million Dri-Clay bags in various sizes per year. They are used for all types of product packaging for overseas shipments. Intersport has even made the decision, to include Micro-Pak products in their packaging guidelines, as they want to switch to more sustainable packaging overall. The goals include, Less plastic and as few chemical products as possible to be used.
Søstrene Grene, the well-known Danish multi-category retail shops, have also swapped Silica Gel for Dri-Clay products. The company currently uses around five million pieces a year in various packaging for its moisture-sensitive items such as cork, wood and textiles.
