Container Dri®II | Arno Marx GmbH

Reliable and dry – Container Dri® II

Moisture protection for shipping world wide

Long-distance transport by truck, rail or ship stimulates the formation of condensation within transport containers (“container rain”). Condensation takes place when the temperature falls below the dew point.
Numerous sectors employ dehumidification agents, for example the automotive sector; the paper and furniture industries; as well as the electronics, machine construction and metal industries.
The consequences of condensation include taste changes in foods, decay, fungal growth, corrosion of metals and glass, or the fading of colours.
Moisture damages markings and labels, attacks boxes and filling materials, weakens packaging, leads to the swelling of packages as well as mould formation, and can even damage the transported goods.
The absorption capacity of air for water vapour increases with rising temperature. Condensation takes place when the temperature drops below the so-called dew point.

Container Dri®

Container Dri®II is an effective and inexpensive dehumidifying agent consisting of granulated calcium chloride (CaCl2) and starch. At the correct dosing, Container Dri®II reduces the relative humidity of air and thus the risk of condensation forming.

The extremely high absorption capacity at high air humidity (>200% capacity at 25°C and 80% RH) is a major advantage of Container Dri®II over conventional desiccants. This means that the moisture in a large volume of air can be reduced with a relatively low number of bags. As a result of its high capacity, it is often possible to do without the otherwise necessary additional anti-humidity barrier.

The difference to conventional desiccants

Container Dri® II – the difference in function and application to conventional desiccants

Conventional desiccants such as bentonite (DESI PAK®), silica gel (Sorb-It) and molecular sieves (Tri-Sorb) have a capacity of about 20% even at very low air humidities (< 40% RH). The capacity only increases slightly with increasing humidity. On the other hand, these desiccants achieve a very low residual dampness – which can lie below 5% RH – after adsorption has taken place. So these desiccants are used when:

a small quantity of air requires dehumidification,
a largely sealed packaging system with low water vapour permeability is involved (barrier bag, Polyliner®, etc.),
a very low residual dampness must be achieved to protect the packed goods from damage (pharmaceuticals, electronic components, optical elements, etc.).

In contrast, Container Dri®II has a very high capacity with high levels of humidity (> 40% RH), that increases strongly with rising air humidity. Container Dri®II , however, only achieves a residual air humidity of about 50%.

The use of Container Dri®

Container Dri®II is therefore properly used:

when a relatively large quantity of air is to be dehumidified,
when very moist air (near the dew point) must be dehumidified,
in an open system (container) or a packaging system with high water vapour permeability,
when the main aim of dehumidification is to prevent condensation,
when the packed goods exhibit no loss of quality despite the humidity only being lowered to about 50% RH instead of < 5%.

In principle, conventional desiccants can also be used for these purposes – but due to their low capacity, however, a very high quantity would be required. In addition, most of the capacity would be used to reduce dampness to a level that is by no means necessary for the application.

Top: The range of application of Container DRI®II
Bottom: Divergence from conventional desiccants (e.g. DESI PAK®)

Top: Dew point control and prevention of condensation using Container DRI®II
Bottom: Transport without dew point control or active prevention of condensation in the container

Container Dri® II – variants and handling

Part No.	Description	Packaging
B012105	125g standard bag	90/carton
200004007	125g bag with adhesive backing	90/carton
2000013409	CD II Plus 3x4 = 12 connected pouches in hang-up bag	6/carton

Bag dimensions: ca. 255 x 145 x 25 mm individual standard bag

Bag weight/net: ca. 125 g/bag (delivered state)

Bag wrapping material: front: Tyvek; back PE/PET.

Absorption capacity – sample values for 125 g bags:
> 100% or about 130 g H2O per bag at 40% RH and 25°C / within approx. 14 days,
> 200% or about 260 g H2O per bag at 80% RH and 25°C / within approx. 14 days,
up to > 400% or about 500 g H2O per bag at 95% RH and 40°C (e.g. overseas export cargo).

Function: the contents of the bag turn into a gel when absorbing water vapour. This gel binds the water in the bag. Unlike many rival products, there is no cumbersome and dangerous handling with aggressive salt solutions and unstable hang-up containers or PE bags. Disposal of the saturated dehumidification bags is rapid and straightforward with normal industrial waste or special waste, in accordance with local regulations.
Application quantity (example): we suggest, as a non-binding guideline, using about 1 - 1.5 bags per cubic meter with a maximum protective period of about 40 days. As a result of the huge variety of applications, however, we cannot quote any exact application quantities – unlike desiccant calculation. We would be pleased to quote values based on experience to assist you in achieving optimum protective effectiveness for your particular area of operation.
Placement: the bags can, for example, be placed directly on packages such as cardboard boxes. As a precaution, however, direct contact of the front of the bag with metal parts, housings, materials and paper should be avoided. Direct contact with liquid-absorbing or corrosion-endangered products should be avoided. The printed bag side should not be used as a contact area.
Safety data sheet: we would be pleased to send you current safety data sheets on request.