Desiccant manufacturer Süd-Chemie Performance Packaging, Belen, NM, already a well-recognized name in protective packaging in the logistics, pharmaceutical and other major industries, is bringing its expertise in moisture absorption to the consumer market with Dri-It®, a new line of humidity absorbers designed for use in homes, trailers, RVs, tents, storage areas, and more.
Dri-It, which utilizes the very same patented desiccant technology that has saved major manufacturers millions of dollars by preventing moisture damage when shipping and storing their products, is now available to help consumers protect their products from mold, mildew, odors, rust and other harmful effects of moisture.
Dri-It was introduced in fall 2004 at various independent stores where it sells for a suggested price of $7.99. Major retail chains have already committed to bringing the product line into their stores, meaning consumers throughout the United States and Canada should be seeing Dri-It soon.
“The response has been exceptional,” says Süd-Chemie’s consumer products manager Tod Campbell. “One of the main reasons we’ve been able to draw so much interest is that we worked very hard to create a package that would not just appeal to the consumer, but explain quickly and easily why moisture protection is so important.”
According to Campbell, when designing the packaging, Süd-Chemie focused on making the package:
• Creative and innovative
• Easy to open and resealable
• Moisture safe (via a low moisture-vapor transmission rate)
• Retail compliant
• Attractive for placement on store shelves
• Versatile for multiple display options
The 121¼2”x71¼2” stand-up pouch is produced using a 4-mil PET/metallized PET/linear low-density polyethylene structure and has a 23¼4”-wide gusset. The metallized PET layer is gravure-printed in seven colors, according to the distributor, Miller Supply. A die-cut hole in the seal area permits it to be hung on a peg display. Thanks to the metallized-PET barrier layer, the shelf life exceeds two years, according to Campbell.
Inside the stand-up display bag are two 125-g moisture-absorbing pouches, each capable of absorbing nearly three times its weight in moisture. The desiccant turns into a thick, self-contained gel that won’t leak or escape, Campbell points out. The peel-and-stick adhesive on the desiccant pouch allows it to be placed almost anywhere, he adds.
The package also includes a consumer-friendly and highly-accurate humidity indicator card that Süd-Chemie has manufactured for decades for the military, semiconductor, and other industries. The card allows users to make a quick and easy visual determination of the humidity in the area they want to protect, whether that be a boat, storage unit, or recreation vehicle.
The graphics design was handled by Art Rojas Design, which Campbell credits for its flexibility and creativity. “We wanted the graphics to make the product easy to understand with application icons and a description of what Dri-It accomplishes for the consumer,” he explains. “We wanted to quickly attract potential customers.”
As Dri-It’s popularity continues to grow, the company is developing new ways to further enhance the product’s marketability among both smaller stores and national retailers. New packaging variations, including larger 6-count packages and smaller Dri-It units, will be available to meet growing consumer demand for the product. Display-ready trays and other developments will make Dri-It even easier for large retail chains to incorporate into their product offerings.
“Consumers have always been aware that moisture is a problem,” says Campbell. “Through Dri-It technology and our creative packaging, we’re finally able to offer a solution that meets the needs of consumers and the retailers.”
