When transporting dry bulk cargo, moisture is often the enemy. Clariant, a global specialty chemicals company, has developed its Container Dri® II line, to address the issue of losses due to moisture-related issues such as mould. As the transport of dry bulk in containers increases in popularity — either loose or in FIBCs, Clariant’s development is ever-more relevant.

 

  • Container Dri® II line offers the broadest configuration choice of container desiccants;
  • it fights ‘container rain’, protecting cargo across variations in humidity and temperature; and
  • the patented desiccant formula aggressively absorbs three times its weight in moisture.

 

As more agricultural products are shipped overseas, patented Container Dri® II container desiccants from Clariant’s Functional Minerals Business Unit, can protect valuable goods from the harmful effects of moisture during lengthy travel. The Container Dri II product line features a full array of configurations (bags, strips, poles, packs); a unique formulation that traps moisture in a no-spill gel; and the ability to reduce the dew point to avoid ‘container rain’. This solution offers shippers unmatched flexibility, choice and performance.

For example, food shipments are expected to play a leading role in achieving US President Obama’s goal of doubling global exports by 2015. Exporters are particularly looking to the Asian marketplace due to its increasingly affluent population that favours Western foods. However, long-distance intermodal shipments face significant challenges from the damaging effects of humidity, including mould, mildew and spoilage. Similarly, non-food shipments can face warpage and corrosion.

Especially as commodity prices increase, it is no longer an option for shippers to discard a portion of their valuable cargo, simply as a cost of doing business. It is important to customers’ profitability and market image to avoid losses due to moisture.

DOUBLE PROTECTION FROM MOISTURE Container Dri II desiccants absorb up to three times its weight in moisture and, through an advanced formula, traps it as a thick gel. By aggressively

absorbing moisture from the air, this technology reduces the dew point temperature below the surface temperature to prevent condensation from forming. With Container Dri II desiccants, the container’s interior — and the cargo — remain dry.

CHOICE OF CONFIGURATION

Container Dri II container desiccants come in a range of configurations: 

individual bags: these 125 gram (g) bags can be spread throughout the container — or railcar — or adhered to slip sheets that can be easily placed atop cargo to evenly distribute absorption and protection.

strips: adhesive strips can be placed inside corrugated grooves of shipping containers, which are especially helpful in extremely tight shipments to avoid contact with cargo or forklifts.

poles: hung from the eye hooks of shipping containers, the 750g or 500g Container Dri II Pole is a rigid version that can be easily installed in a container. It positions the desiccant up high, out of the way of cargo and is optimally placed to capture humidity.

Container Dri II Plus: also positioned high in a container, these large, 1,500g bags require fewer total bags. They are easily installed using the included carabiners that attach to a container’s eye hooks.

Container Dri II Packs: configured in a hard shell that can be suspended high in a container. Typical applications include agricultural products, canned goods, automotive parts, powders, glass and wood.

Clariant is a global specialty chemicals company, based in Muttenz near Basel/Switzerland. On 31 December 2012 the company employed a total workforce of 21,202. In the financial year 2012, Clariant recorded sales of CHF 6.038 billion for its continuing businesses. The company reports in four business areas: Care Chemicals, Catalysis & Energy, Natural Resources, Plastics & Coatings. Clariant’s corporate strategy is based on four pillars: managing businesses for profitability, research & development and innovation, growth in emerging markets, and repositioning of the portfolio.