MANUFACTURERS are being urged to review how they protect metal components during storage and transportation.
The call comes from Antalis Packaging, with the firm highlighting that an estimated 2-4% of products shipped by ocean freight arrive damaged.
Temperature and humidity changes during sea or air freight, as well as long-term storage, can create condensation and moisture inside packaging.
Jason Poxon, head of design at Antalis Packaging, said, “Effective corrosion protection starts with understanding exactly what you are trying to protect and the conditions that product will experience. There is no universal solution. A component travelling by sea will face very different conditions from one stored in a controlled warehouse.”
Antalis said that one common mistake is assuming that more desiccant automatically means better protection. The quantity required depends on factors including the dimensions of the packaging, the weight and nature of the product, and how and where it will be stored and transported.
Corrosion is not always the result of a packaging failure. Handling practices, storage conditions, and other processes can all contribute. Antalis cited one example where metal components developed finger stains and initial investigations suggested the packaging was at fault. However, an probe found that employees had cut the fingers off their gloves to improve grip, transferring fingerprints and causing acid damage.
“Sometimes what appears to be a packaging problem is actually happening somewhere else in the process,” Jason added. “You have to look at the complete journey of the product.”
Antalis said that VCIs and desiccants can work alone, but in many applications the most effective approach combines them with the appropriate films, boxes, or other packaging materials. Changing the packaging approach can also remove processes such as applying grease or oil, potentially reducing labour and packing time while simplifying the overall operation.
“Technology and packaging solutions continue to develop, so processes that have been used for years shouldn’t necessarily be the only option,” Jason stated. “By looking at the product, the environment and the complete supply chain, manufacturers can develop a solution that provides the required protection while also considering cost, efficiency, labour and sustainability.”
