Eco-responsible desiccant for protecting goods in storage and transit
Plastic-free moisture protection for businesses with sustainability targets. Micro-Pak Dri Clay® uses 100% natural bentonite clay in a biodegradable FSC-certified Kraft paper sachet, giving you a like-for-like replacement for traditional silica gel without the plastic or synthetic chemistry. Drop a sachet into sealed packaging, containers, or cartons to control humidity and protect goods from mould, mildew, and corrosion in storage and transit.
Why choose Micro-Pak Dri Clay®?
- Certified plastic-free desiccant, packaged in biodegradable FSC-certified Kraft paper
- Made from 100% natural bentonite clay with no chemical additives
- Outperforms silica gel by reducing humidity faster and to lower levels
- Absorbs up to 40% of its own weight in moisture
- Leak-free at full capacity, with no risk of corrosion to metal components
- Third-party validated biodegradable per ASTM D5511 / ISO 15985 (90% decomposition within 30 days)
- FDA-compliant for food and pharmaceutical contact, REACH-exempt, PFAS-free, DMF-free
- Suitable for textiles, footwear, leather goods, electronics, food, supplements, medical devices, and metal parts
How Dri Clay® compares to silica gel
Silica gel sachets and Dri Clay® do the same operational job: both adsorb water vapour from the air inside sealed packaging to keep relative humidity low and stop moisture damage. The difference is in the material and the regulatory profile.
Standard silica gel is a synthetic desiccant produced from chemicals, packaged in plastic film, and absorbs around 22% to 24% of its own weight in moisture. Micro-Pak Dri Clay® is naturally occurring bentonite clay packaged in FSC-certified Kraft paper, with the manufacturer reporting that it reduces humidity faster and to lower levels than silica gel under normal packaging conditions. For businesses with plastic reduction targets, FSC sourcing requirements, or food and pharma compliance briefs, Dri Clay® is the operationally correct choice.
For background on dose calculations and the differences between desiccant types, see our silica gel sizing guide.
Specifying the right size
Sachet size scales with the sealed air volume you are protecting. The manufacturer's general guidance for Dri Clay® Kraft is:
- 2g sachet for sealed air volumes up to 2 litres. Typical applications: small electronics, leather goods, supplement bottles.
- 6g sachet for sealed air volumes up to 6 litres. Typical applications: footwear, single-product cartons, retail packaging.
- 17g sachet for sealed air volumes up to 30 litres. Typical applications: larger cartons, archive boxes, bulk components.
- 33g sachet for sealed air volumes up to 60 litres. Typical applications: heavy-duty export cartons, tools, machinery parts.
Add an additional sachet for each additional container size step, and replace every three months in long-term storage. For high humidity destinations or moisture-sensitive contract work, dose at the higher end of the range or speak to your account manager for an application-specific calculation.
For palletised loads, sea freight, and 20ft or 40ft containers, Dri Clay® sachets at carton level are typically used alongside AbsorGel® Max calcium chloride container desiccants at the freight level.
Pairing Dri Clay® with the rest of your packaging stack
Moisture protection works as a system, not as a single sachet. For a sealed dry environment in transit and storage, pair Dri Clay® with:
- Export boxes for international and long-haul shipments where the carton itself needs to take the journey
- Silica gel sachets if you run mixed lines and need a non-eco baseline option for non-sustainability-led shipments
- Anti-static barrier bags for electronics, where the sachet sits inside the sealed bag rather than loose in the outer carton
- Packaging tape rated for the carton weight and transit duration, to maintain the dry environment the desiccant has created
- Void fill to stop sachets migrating away from the goods they are meant to protect
Sustainability credentials at a glance
- FSC-certified Kraft paper sachet
- Plastic-free certified
- Third-party validated biodegradable (ASTM D5511 / ISO 15985, 90% decomposition within 30 days)
- Production process uses naturally occurring bentonite clay, with no water, chemical inputs, or significant energy input
- Non-toxic and safe for landfill disposal
- REACH-exempt, PFAS-free, DMF-free
Frequently asked questions
What is Micro-Pak Dri Clay® and what is it used for?
Micro-Pak Dri Clay® is a desiccant made from natural bentonite clay, packaged in biodegradable FSC-certified Kraft paper. It is used to control humidity inside sealed packaging, containers, cartons, bottles, and bags to prevent mould, mildew, corrosion, and moisture damage to the goods inside. Typical applications include textiles, footwear, leather goods, electronics, food, supplements, pharmaceuticals, and metal components.
How do I use Micro-Pak Dri Clay®?
Place the appropriate sachet size inside the sealed packaging alongside the goods. The sachet adsorbs moisture from the surrounding air, lowering relative humidity inside the pack. Match sachet size to the sealed air volume using the sizing guidance above, and replace every three months for long-term storage applications. For high humidity destinations or longer transit windows, increase the dose rather than the replacement frequency.
Is Micro-Pak Dri Clay® safe?
Yes. Bentonite clay is a naturally occurring mineral with no chemical additives, and Micro-Pak Dri Clay® meets US FDA requirements for contact with food and pharmaceuticals. The sachet is dust-free, hard to tear, and non-corrosive. As with all desiccant products, the "Do Not Eat" label is a regulatory precaution to prevent accidental ingestion, particularly by children and pets, rather than a poison warning. If a child or pet has consumed a sachet, contact medical or veterinary advice for reassurance and refer to the manufacturer's safety data sheet.
How does Dri Clay® compare to silica gel?
Both adsorb moisture from sealed packaging. The differences are material and compliance. Silica gel is a synthetic desiccant typically packaged in plastic; Dri Clay® is natural bentonite clay packaged in biodegradable FSC-certified Kraft paper. The manufacturer reports that Dri Clay® reduces humidity faster and to lower levels than silica gel under standard packaging conditions, and absorbs up to 40% of its weight in moisture compared to 22% to 24% for silica gel. For sustainability-led briefs, food and pharma compliance, and plastic reduction targets, Dri Clay® is the operationally correct choice.
Is Micro-Pak Dri Clay® biodegradable?
Yes. Both the bentonite clay contents and the FSC-certified Kraft paper sachet are biodegradable. The product is third-party validated to ASTM D5511 and ISO 15985, with 90% decomposition reported within 30 days under the test conditions. When disposed in landfill, the clay returns to the earth in its original form and the Kraft paper biodegrades.
Need expert advice?
Our packaging specialists can help you specify the right Micro Pak Dri Clay size, dose, and replacement schedule for your product, transit duration, and destination. Contact us today for a tailored quote or sizing guidance for contract orders.
