Due to their insane efficiency in protecting products from moisture-related damage like mold, mildew and rust, desiccant packs are by far the most widely used protective packaging products today. In fact, you can find desiccants in a wide variety of industries including manufacturing, aerospace, food service, industrial services and more.
However, despite this efficiency and versatility, it’s shocking how little most people know about their history. Due to their prevalence and importance, we compiled a brief history of the most commercially used protective packaging material.
The History of Desiccant Packs
There are three main types of desiccant packs: molecular sieve, clay, and the most popular, silica gel.
Silica gel is produced synthetically from sodium silicate and absorbs water, making it a great drying agent. The use of silica gel dates back to the 1640s but was seen as a scientific curiosity. Silica gel became popular during World War 1, where it was used to absorb gases and vapors in gas mask canisters. It was then utilized in World War 2 to keep penicillin dry and protect military equipment and pharmaceutical supplies from moisture.
How Are Silica Gel Desiccants Used Today?
This silica gel is now put inside desiccant packs and used as a drying agent. The great thing about desiccant packs are that they can be used more than once. The life of a desiccant bag depends on its environment, but they can last up to 3 years.
Get the Best Desiccants Available
At Edco Supply Corporation, we are the leading distributor of desiccant packs and have different bag sizes ranging from 1/6 unit to 80 units. We also have other mil-spec packaging materials, such as anti-static bags, military tape, VCI paper, and moisture barrier bags.
If you’re ready to fully protect your packages, browse our vast selection of protective packaging materials and contact us with any questions!
