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As pharmaceutical products move through the supply chain, moisture is a serious concern. Long-distance ocean freight, temperature swings, and humidity fluctuation can all lead to condensation. As condensation builds on container walls and ceiling, it will begin to rain down, a phenomenon known as container rain. It can damage packaging, cause rejected shipments, and damage brand image.
Shipping container desiccants are specifically designed to prevent this problem. But it’s not as simple as throwing a few packets of silica gel in. You need a clear understanding of the types of desiccants and uses of each type of packaging to determine what’s best.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about pharma desiccant packaging, including step-by-step instructions to choose the best packaging for your needs.
Why Desiccants Matter in Pharmaceuticals
Overseas shipment via shipping container presents significant risk to pharmaceuticals. From extreme temperature fluctuations to high humidity routes or long transit times, pharmaceuticals shipped by sea are at significant risk of damage from moisture.
When warm, humid air cools inside a sealed shipping container, condensation forms on the container walls and ceiling. This condensation drips onto pallets and cartons, a phenomenon known as container rain.
This moisture can damage packaging, weaken labels and tamper-proof seals, and potentially make its way into the pharmaceuticals themselves. Excess moisture can have devastating effects on pharmaceutical products:
- Degrade active pharmaceutical ingredients, rendering them less effective
- Alter the speed at which pharmaceuticals dissolve
- Cause tablets to soften, crack, or swell
- Promote the growth of dangerous microbes
- Reduce products’ shelf life
Even if your pharmaceuticals remain protected from moisture, visible moisture damage on your packaging may result in rejected shipments, compliance concerns, or customer concerns.
Fortunately, there’s a solution: shipping container desiccants. These compounds absorb excess humidity from your cargo container, preventing condensation and the damage that comes along with it.
Types of Desiccants for Shipping Containers
You may be familiar with the small desiccant packets that come in pharmaceuticals and read, “DO NOT EAT.” Shipping container desiccants are very different. They’re made to work in large spaces and for extended periods of time. Read on to learn the most popular desiccants for shipping containers.
Calcium Chloride
Calcium chloride desiccants are some of the most popular desiccants in shipping containers. Calcium chloride, a type of salt, has a high capacity for moisture absorption and can absorb several times its own weight in moisture.
When calcium chloride comes into contact with moisture, it turns into liquid. This liquid is trapped in leak-proof containers to prevent the moisture from seeping back out into the atmosphere.
Clay
Clay is a cheaper shipping container desiccant than calcium chloride, but it comes with trade-offs. It has a much lower absorption capacity, making it insufficient for long ocean journeys. It’s best for shorter land transit or low humidity conditions.
Silica Gel
Silica gel is the type of desiccant most often used in product packaging. When it absorbs moisture, it turns into a gel, which traps the moisture and prevents it from returning to the atmosphere. Like clay desiccants, it can’t absorb nearly as much liquid as calcium chloride.
Types of Desiccant Packaging
Desiccant efficacy is also highly dependent on its packaging. Desiccants may come in bags, blankets, and other formats. Let’s break down the best pharma desiccant packaging.
Hanging Desiccant Bags
Shipping containers come standard with hooks, which make the perfect place to hang desiccant bags. These typically contain several compartments of moisture-absorbing desiccants. They’re designed to absorb humidity in the air.
Desiccant Pads
Desiccant pads go underneath cargo. Their primary purpose is to absorb moisture on the floor, whether from condensation or leaks. They can also help in the event that a pharmaceutical product leaks. The desiccant bags will absorb the liquid, preventing it from contaminating other pharmaceuticals in the shipment.
Desiccant Blankets
Desiccant blankets are designed to absorb moisture from container rain. They can be draped over the top of cargo or suspended from hooks on the container’s ceiling. These basically act like an umbrella for your pharmaceuticals.
Loose or Bagged Bulk Desiccants
These desiccant types aren’t often used in pharmaceuticals because they have a greater risk of contamination. More controlled systems help meet needs better.
How to Choose the Best Pharma Desiccant Packaging
Selecting the right pharma desiccant packaging for your upcoming shipment requires careful consideration. Read on for a step-by-step guide to selecting the best pharma desiccant packaging.
1. Consider your shipping route
First, think about your shipping route and the risks it presents. Questions you might consider include:
- Is the container traveling by land or ocean?
- How long will the trip take?
- Does the route take the container through particularly humid regions?
- Will the container sit in a port before its journey or after it arrives?
Each of these factors introduces potential moisture exposure into your shipment. If your shipment is traveling between Asia, Europe, or North America, it’s likely to be exposed to high humidity and varying temperatures, the perfect conditions for moisture damage.
2. Calculate your container volume
Next, it’s important to determine how much desiccant is needed. First, look at the size container you’ll be shipping in. Typically, shipping containers come in 20-foot and 40-foot lengths.
Then, think about how your container will be packed. The number of pallets and the way your pallets are spaced all affect airflow, which affect humidity.
Finally, calculate how much desiccant you need using figures like the volume of air inside your container, how much moisture you expect to be introduced by your cargo or pallets, and the anticipated humidity levels along your route.
3. Think about your packaging
Container desiccants don’t just protect the external packaging, but your pharmaceuticals’ direct packaging too. If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may need a higher than normal level of desiccant packaging:
- Are your products moisture-sensitive?
- Are their labels prone to peeling in humid conditions?
- Is there a concern that visible moisture damage could cause your shipment to be rejected?
Considering these questions protects your product, brand image, and more.
Get Advanced Desiccants and Specialized Expertise from EPGNA
Shipping container desiccants are a critical protection when shipping pharmaceutical products. The right shipping container desiccant should prevent condensation, last the entire journey, and retain moisture without leaking. By carefully considering your products, transit conditions, and container space, you can find the right solution for your needs. For specialized expertise in pharma desiccant packaging and beyond, trust EPGNA. Our experts provide custom solutions to every shipping problem. Contact us today to get started.
