Desiccants
CARGENTRA Clay Desiccant Sachets
A mineral-based moisture-control solution designed for sealed packaging to help reduce the risk of mold, corrosion, musty odors and product deterioration during packing, storage and transportation.
- Mineral clay-based desiccant
- Physical moisture adsorption
- Maintains a relatively stable granular form
- Economical solution for sealed packaging
What Is Clay Desiccant?
Clay desiccant is a moisture-control material based on mineral clay capable of adsorbing water vapor molecules. Depending on the product code, the raw material may be a natural clay mineral such as bentonite or montmorillonite, or an activated clay such as attapulgite.
Clay minerals have a layered structure and an internal surface system that allows moisture molecules to be held through physical adsorption.
Unlike calcium chloride desiccants, clay desiccant is not designed to turn into a liquid solution or gel. Under normal usage conditions, the material stays in a relatively stable granular or pellet form.
Where the specific mineral composition for a product code is not yet confirmed, this page uses the general term "mineral clay" rather than asserting a specific mineral type.
Why Does Packaging Need Moisture Control?
Air remaining inside a bag, box, case, or cargo unit can contain moisture. Humidity can also come from the product, pallets, cartons, or packaging materials. As temperature and humidity change during storage or transport, excess moisture can contribute to:
- Mold
- Musty odors
- Oxidation and corrosion of metal
- Condensation inside packaging
- Reduced carton strength
- Damage to leather and textile surfaces
- Reduced component performance
- Caking in powder-form products
- Quality deterioration in consumer goods
Key Benefits
Humidity control inside sealed packaging
Helps adsorb excess moisture inside bags, boxes, cartons, or sealed cargo units.
Mineral-based material
Clay Desiccant uses mineral clay raw material, with composition varying by product code.
Maintains granular form
The material is designed to stay in granular or pellet form, unlike CaCl₂ desiccants which turn into a solution.
Economical solution
Suited to a wide range of packaging applications requiring cost-effective moisture control.
Multiple specifications
Sachet weight can be selected based on packaging volume and product moisture sensitivity.
Cross-industry applications
Can be used for metals, components, electronics, leather goods, textiles, machinery, spare parts, and consumer goods.
Product Specifications
Available sizes depend on the product code and packaging requirements.
Please contact CARGENTRA to receive the current list of weights and availability for your specific application.
Additional Technical Information
Expand each item below for details on the adsorption mechanism, clay mineral types, sachet materials, and environmental information.
Clay desiccant works through physical adsorption. When humid air contacts the material, water vapor molecules are held on the outer surface and within the microstructure of the clay mineral. This process helps reduce free moisture inside sealed packaging and creates a more stable storage environment for moisture-sensitive products. Actual effectiveness depends on:
- Clay mineral type
- Desiccant quantity
- Relative humidity
- Temperature
- Exposure time
- Volume of the space being protected
- How sealed the packaging is
- Water-vapor permeability of the packaging material
- Initial moisture level of the product
The information below is general background — not every type listed is necessarily a product CARGENTRA currently offers. Contact us to confirm the specific clay type for a given product code.
Natural Clay Desiccant
Natural mineral clay desiccant, potentially based on bentonite or montmorillonite depending on the product specification.
Activated Clay Desiccant
Activated clay desiccant may use attapulgite or another processed clay mineral. Composition and performance must be confirmed by the applicable product data sheet.
The effectiveness and suitability of a desiccant sachet depend not only on the clay material inside but also on the sachet itself. The sachet material needs to let water vapor pass through while containing the clay granules and limiting dust escape.
Depending on the product code, the sachet may use specialty paper, non-woven fabric, composite packaging, materials with appropriate water-vapor permeability, or a hanging/strapped format for larger cargo units.
The adsorption capacity of clay desiccant depends on the clay mineral, relative humidity, temperature, exposure time, desiccant quantity and packaging conditions. Please contact CARGENTRA for the technical data applicable to each product code.
Clay desiccant uses mineral raw material and may require a less complex production process than some synthetic desiccants. The actual environmental impact depends on the raw material source, mining, processing, transportation, and packaging material.
Environmental information is available according to the applicable product code and manufacturer documentation.
Applications
Metal Components & Spare Parts
Helps control humidity inside sealed packaging to reduce the risk of oxidation and corrosion.
Electronics & Devices
Suited to packaging for components, devices, and moisture-sensitive products when the correct specification is used.
Machinery & Tools
Can be placed inside cases, boxes, or sealed packaging for spare parts, tools, and equipment.
Footwear, Bags & Leather Goods
Helps limit humid conditions that cause odor and mold inside sealed packaging.
Textiles & Consumer Goods
Helps control moisture inside bags, boxes, and cartons.
Wood & Furniture
Can be used in packaging for components, accessories, or appropriately sized sealed cargo units.
Dry Foods or Consumer Products
Only use a product code with sachet material and documentation appropriate for the specific application.
Export & Transportation
Can be used inside sealed packaging or cargo units, but does not automatically replace container desiccants designed for larger moisture loads.
Comparing Clay, Silica Gel, and CaCl₂
No single desiccant type is the best choice for every application. Selection depends on volume, how sealed the packaging is, moisture load, target humidity, protection duration, and cargo type.
| Criteria | Clay | Silica Gel | CaCl₂ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Mineral clay | Porous silicon dioxide | Calcium Chloride with gelling agent |
| Mechanism | Physical adsorption | Physical adsorption | Absorbs and holds a large volume of moisture |
| Primary usage environment | Sealed packaging, boxes, bags, cargo units | Product and component packaging | Containers and high-moisture-load spaces |
| State after absorption | Remains in granular or pellet form | Remains in bead form | Gradually converts into gel |
| Selection notes | Economical solution for a wide range of packaging applications | Suited to many packaging humidity-control applications | Suited to container rain control and long transport journeys |
Material
Clay: Mineral clay
Silica Gel: Porous silicon dioxide
CaCl₂: Calcium Chloride with gelling agent
Mechanism
Clay: Physical adsorption
Silica Gel: Physical adsorption
CaCl₂: Absorbs and holds a large volume of moisture
Primary usage environment
Clay: Sealed packaging, boxes, bags, cargo units
Silica Gel: Product and component packaging
CaCl₂: Containers and high-moisture-load spaces
State after absorption
Clay: Remains in granular or pellet form
Silica Gel: Remains in bead form
CaCl₂: Gradually converts into gel
Selection notes
Clay: Economical solution for a wide range of packaging applications
Silica Gel: Suited to many packaging humidity-control applications
CaCl₂: Suited to container rain control and long transport journeys
How to Choose the Right Specification
The clay desiccant sachet weight should not be chosen based solely on cargo weight. Sizing should take into account:
- Volume of the space being protected
- Packaging size
- How sealed the packaging is
- Water-vapor permeability
- Initial moisture level of the product
- Moisture in cartons, wood, or dunnage materials
- Storage duration
- Transit duration
- Ambient temperature and humidity
- How moisture-sensitive the product is
How to Use
- 1Choose the correct clay type and sachet weight for the application.
- 2Check that the sachet is not torn, punctured, or contaminated.
- 3Only open the outer bag containing the desiccant sachets right before use.
- 4Place the clay desiccant sachet inside the packaging or cargo unit, avoiding sharp edges and positions where it could be crushed.
- 5Seal the packaging as soon as possible.
- 6Store unused sachets in sealed packaging.
- 7Do not reuse or heat a sachet unless technical guidance for the specific product code confirms an appropriate method.
Safety Notes
- Do not eat
- Keep out of reach of children
- Do not cut or tear the sachet
- Do not let clay granules fall directly onto the product
- Do not use a damaged sachet
- Do not use for direct food contact unless confirmed
- Dispose of the product according to the supplier's instructions and local regulations
Certifications & Documentation
TDS, SDS, COA and compliance documentation are available according to the product code and customer requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Specification Table
Product
CARGENTRA Clay Desiccant Sachets
Material
Mineral clay according to product code
Clay type
Bentonite, montmorillonite, attapulgite or another type according to TDS
Mechanism
Physical moisture adsorption
Format
Sachets, bags or other formats according to specification
Granule form
Pellets or crushed mineral, depending on product code
Weight
According to available specification
Sachet material
According to product code
Adsorption capacity
According to the applicable TDS
Application
Moisture control inside sealed packaging or enclosed cargo packs
Documentation
Available according to product code and requirements
Product images
Being updated
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