WHAT IS A DESICCANT?

A desiccant is a hygroscopic substance that induces or sustains a state of dryness (desiccation) in its local vicinity in a moderately well-sealed container.

HOW DOES ABSORTECH HELP TO RESOLVE MOISTURE PROBLEMS?

Absortech’s products contain calcium chloride that aggressively capture and absorb moisture from the air. They dry the air. When the air is dry, this prevents moisture problems.

CAN ABSORTECH SOLVE ALL MOISTURE PROBLEMS?

Yes, most problems can be resolved. However, some cargoes may be so wet that any reasonable number of absorbents get overwhelmed. But Absortech’s products can reliably protect even difficult cargoes that may contain tons of moisture such as agricultural products, wood products and paper.

DOES IT MAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE THAT MY COCOA BEANS HAVE A MOISTURE CONTENT OF 8% INSTEAD OF 7%?

Yes, such a difference could be all the difference between no damage and disaster. The moisture behavior of most agricultural products have a strong exponential character.

I HAVE SHIPPED THE SAME CARGO FOR YEARS WITH ONE TYPE OF ABSORTECH PRODUCT WITHOUT ANY TROUBLE, BUT NOW I SUDDENLY HAVE DAMAGE. HAVE YOU CHANGED ANYTHING?

No we have not changed our product’s ability to absorb moisture. Check your container and your packaging material. Did you just start to store your pallets outdoors? Have your shipment routines changed? Does your forklift drive into the container with snow on the wheels? Did you just change supplier of crates? You cannot tell by looking whether wood or cartons are dry. The moisture properties of wood and cartons have an exponential character. It makes a huge difference if your pallets have a moisture content of 20% instead of for example 15%.

MY CARGO OF PEANUTS HAD SUFFERED DAMAGE IN THE CENTRE CENTER EVEN THOUGH THE OUTSIDE OF THE CARGO LOOKED FINE AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF CONDENSATION?

Much damage to cargo is caused by prolonged periods of elevated humidity such as container rain, container sweat or a super saturation event. It is common that cargos loaded at a cool temperature and then moved into warm conditions suffer damage in the center of the cargo. This is a result of a difference in temperature between the outside and the center of the cargo. Warm air from the outside of the cargo becomes humid as it moves into the cooler center. Absorpoles and other Absortech products protect against this effect even though the desiccants are mounted on the container walls.

I LOAD MY CONTAINER UNDER DRY CONDITIONS AND IT IS VERY TIGHTLY SEALED. HOW COME I STILL EXPERIENCE MOISTURE PROBLEMS?

Your cargo or the packaging, including container floors, pallets and crates contain moisture that can evaporate into the air during transport. Wet packaging material is the most common cause of unexpected moisture problems.

I GOT SOME BRINE ON MY HANDS WHILE REMOVING USED ABSORPOLES. IS IT DANGEROUS?

No it is not. Calcium chloride is non-toxic and environmentally safe. The brine is somewhat similar to salty seawater and may cause slight irritation as it dries your skin. We recommend that you wear gloves when handling used poles. If you would get splashed by brine just rinse it off immediately with plenty of fresh water.

MY SHIPMENTS OF METALS, MACHINERY ETC ARRIVE CORRODED, STAINED OR MISCOLORED DESPITE HEAVY PACKAGING. WILL ABSORTECH’S PRODUCTS HELP?

Yes, Absortech products will help. This can reduce your dependence on coatings, oil-paper and plastic wraps that are expensive both to apply and remove. Your container can probably be equipped with a sufficient number of Absortech desiccants to protect against any damage at less cost than your present packaging.

I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MOLD GROWTH INSIDE MY SHRINK-WRAPPED PALLETS. WILL ABSORTECH CONTAINER DESICCANTS HELP?

Yes, as long as there is some access of air through the top and bottom of the pallets. If this is not possible, a spiked roller may be used to make holes in the shrink wrap.

MY CONTAINER IS ABSOLUTELY FILLED WITH CARGO. WILL THE DESICCANTS STILL WORK?

Moisture diffuses very effectively, even through a seemingly compact cargo. Experience shows that our products will make a difference even to mould growth inside cartons. It is, however, necessary that some free space is left in front of each absorbent, if they hang from the container wall.

DO I NEED TO LINE MY CONTAINER WITH KRAFT PAPER?

Many containers are lined with kraft paper primarily for reasons of hygiene or to simply isolate the cargo from direct contact with the container walls. The liner will act as a kind of sponge, catching and absorbing any droplets of water and then re-evaporating the moisture into the air. If a liner is used without absorbent it could contribute to a kind of pumping effect, drawing moisture out of the cargo and then releasing back into the air. When used together with Absorpoles or other Absortech products the liner will act as a buffer in extreme conditions. This will prevent any container rain from reaching the cargo. Much the same can be said for so called dew cloths.

I HAD DAMAGE TO MY CARGO EVEN THOUGH I USED A LOT OF SILICA GEL AND THERE WAS NO CONDENSATION. WOULD IT HELP TO SWITCH TO ABSORPOLE?

Calcium chloride absorbs moisture even when the humidity is not very high. This protects the cargo against damage caused by prolonged periods of elevated humidity. Some kinds of steel start to corrode at 70% relative humidity, molds can grow at 80% relative humidity and at near 90% relative humidity many things can go wrong. Yet, our products based on calcium chloride are also at their most efficient protecting against condensation. Most other products, such as silica gels, are only effective in very humid conditions and for a short time period before they become over-saturated.

EACH CONTAINER OF MY CARGO OF PEANUTS/COFFEE/COCOA/NUTS CONTAINS TONS OF MOISTURE. WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE THAT A ABSORTECH PRODUCT ABSORB A FEW LITRES DURING A VOYAGE?

Moisture processes have an exponential character. That means that even a small change in circumstances can have a huge effect on the outcome. Absorbents create circumstances that allow almost all of the moisture to remain in the cargo even while the level of humidity in the air is lowered by a crucial amount, sufficient to prevent damage. It is a question of ”leverage”. This is by absorbing moisture from the air and reducing the relative humidity.

I SHIP CONSUMER GOODS IN TUBES/CANS/JARS ETC THAT CONTAIN NO MOISTURE. WHY DO I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS?

Consumer goods are often shipped with a lot of cartons and cardboard packaging.  Even if the boxes seem dry they could literally hold tens of liters of water.