Desiccants

Desiccant and RFID Combo

Manufacturers and packagers have the potential to save time and money with a dual-purpose desiccant. The desiccant, which is suitable for pharmaceutical and electronics applications, contains Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology inside of the desiccant. Radio frequency provides a means of communication with a transponder. The data transmitted is programmable and can provide identification or location information about the product or specifics, such as date of purchase or price. One company is enhancing normal RFID functions with the ability to absorb moisture, odor, or oxygen. The desiccant is commonly used to maintain the integrity of the product and extend shelf life. By having the RFID tag inside the pouch with the desiccant, the integrity of the RFID tag is further ensured by decreasing the possibility of damage by moisture. Desiccare Inc.; Richland, MS; 601/932-0405; www.desiccare.com.
 
Humectant and Desiccant

EQ-CAN canisters and EQ-PAK packets are specially engineered sorbents that act as a humectant and desiccant simultaneously to maintain a particular equilibrium relative humidity inside product packaging. Many pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products are susceptible to stability issues or product damage if they are either exposed to too much moisture or the package environment becomes overly dry. Some products need to maintain their water content and water activity to maintain product integrity. For some products, a package environment that is too dry can accelerate efflorescence or cause cracking of gelatin coatings. During shelf life, the EQ line of sorbents addresses the need to maintain a particular relative humidity range inside product packaging to avoid extreme changes inside the package environment. Specific relative humidity ranges, such as 10%, 20%, or 30%, can be maintained based on customers’ needs. EQ-PAK packets are available in all standard sizes ranging from 1 gram to 15 grams. Rigid EQ-CAN canisters, designed for automatic high-speed insertion, are available in sizes ranging from 1 gram to 3 grams. Süd-Chemie Performance Packaging; Belen, NM; 505/244 7100; www.s-cpp.com.
 
Sorbent Solutions

One company offers customized solutions for the multi-functional management of moisture, oxygen, and volatized hydrocarbons. Drop-In sorbent solutions are suitable for solid-oral dose drug products in bottle, pouched blister-pack presentations, or in the primary packaging of drug and device combinations products. Fit-In solutions include custom-made compressed and molded sorbents that are included in reservoir and integrated premeasured dose dry powder inhaler devices for the management of the drug/device product’s primary stability profile. Built-In sorbent solutions offer multifunctional capabilities to an existing molded device or packaging part, providing moisture, oxygen, and hydrocarbon management in drug and drug/device product packaging. Multisorb Technologies, Buffalo; NY; 716/824-8900; www.multisorb.com.
 
Moldable Desiccants

DryKeep is a patented moldable desiccant that can be incorporated into any plastic and any process allowing for flexibility in packaging design and longer protection than traditional systems can allow. DryKeep is being used in extruded films, IBM and EBM bottles, and injection-molded vials and scoops to protect a wide variety of products from moisture in a cost effective manner. DryKeep absorbs more moisture and maintains a more consistent humidity than traditional systems allowing for a consistent environment inside the package for the life of a product. DryKeep has a controlled absorption that means the internal relative humidity can be designed to meet the specific needs of the product and guarantee the ideal environment for the best product performance. TricorBraun; St. Louis, MO; 800/325-7782; www.tricorbraun.com.