Silica Gel & Desiccants

Protect your products from moisture damage during storage, transit, and export with RAJAPACK's silica gel and desiccant range. Silica gel sachets adsorb water vapour from the surrounding air, lowering humidity inside sealed packaging and shipping containers. They are widely used to protect cameras, optical equipment, electronic components, pharmaceutical packaging, leather goods, and footwear from condensation, mould, and corrosion.

From 1g sachets through to 1kg container desiccants, RAJAPACK stocks every standard size your packing line is likely to need, with next-day UK delivery on the stocked range and bulk pricing for B2B accounts. With over 70 years of packaging expertise, we supply silica gel and moisture protection to manufacturers, exporters, archive services, and contract packers across every industry.

For long-haul and sea freight shipments, our AbsorGel® Max calcium chloride desiccants deliver a 250% absorption rate and 4.5 litres of water absorption capacity per pack, hung from container lashing rings using the inbuilt AbsorHook System. For individual product packing, our silica gel sachets are available in 8 sizes and remain dry and free-flowing even when saturated.

For businesses with sustainability targets, Micro-Pak Dri Clay® offers a biodegradable alternative to silica gel, using naturally occurring bentonite clay in an FSC-certified Kraft paper sachet and absorbing up to 40% of its weight in moisture.

Why choose RAJAPACK silica gel and desiccants?

• Full size range from 1g sachets to 1kg container desiccants
• Calcium chloride container desiccants for sea freight and export shipping
• Biodegradable Dri Clay® alternative for businesses with sustainability targets
• Sachets remain dry and free-flowing when saturated, with no risk of leakage onto goods
• Next-day UK delivery on stocked sizes
• Bulk and contract pricing for B2B accounts

How does silica gel compare to other moisture protection?

Silica gel and desiccant sachets are the standard solution for controlling humidity inside sealed packaging. Compared to alternative methods, they offer:

• Active absorption - silica gel adsorbs water vapour from the air rather than just blocking it, preventing condensation as well as direct moisture ingress
• Compact format - sachets fit inside the existing packaging without taking up cargo space or requiring changes to the outer pack
• Operating range - silica gel sachets continue to function in high humidity and at temperatures up to 105°C

For temperature-sensitive shipments, silica gel works alongside our chilled packaging and gel packs rather than replacing them. For impact protection, pair with bubble wrap, foam packaging, or void fill inside the carton.

Silica gel sachets vs calcium chloride container desiccants

Choosing the right desiccant depends on the volume of air being protected and the duration of transit or storage.

Silica gel sachets

Silica gel sachets are the right choice for individual product packing and short-to-medium transit. The sachets absorb 22-24% of their own weight in moisture and remain dry and free-flowing when saturated, so they will not leak onto goods even at full capacity. They function reliably in high humidity and at temperatures up to 105°C.

Silica gel sachets are well suited to cameras, optical equipment, electronic components, pharmaceutical packaging, leather goods, footwear, and any moisture-sensitive consumer product. The standard rule of thumb is 5g of silica gel per cubic foot of sealed air space, with sizes scaling from small sachets for individual components through to larger packs for cartons and crates.

Calcium chloride container desiccants

For palletised loads, sea freight, and 20ft or 40ft shipping containers, calcium chloride desiccants are the operationally correct choice. Calcium chloride absorbs around 250% of its own weight in moisture, far higher than silica gel, and binds the absorbed water into a non-leaking gel.

Our AbsorGel® Max packs deliver 4.5 litres of water absorption capacity and hang from container lashing rings using the inbuilt AbsorHook System with no loss of cargo space. Our Absorpole® shipping desiccant poles install directly into the container wall recess, collect 2 litres of water, and are the first carbon-neutral container desiccant on the market.

For exporters shipping to humid destinations or via sea freight, calcium chloride desiccants are typically used at container level alongside silica gel sachets at carton level. The container desiccant handles the bulk humidity load; the sachets catch the residual moisture closest to the goods.

Pairing silica gel with other protective packaging

For complete moisture and damage protection during transit, silica gel and desiccants are typically paired with:

• Export boxes - heavy-duty cardboard and plywood boxes built for international and long-haul shipping
• Packaging tape - to seal cartons properly and maintain the dry environment created by the desiccant
• Void fill - prevents internal movement of goods and stops sachets from migrating in transit
• Bubble wrap - for shock and vibration protection alongside humidity control
• Edge and corner protectors - reinforce box integrity for stacked and palletised loads
• Pallet stretch wrap - stabilises loads and creates an additional moisture barrier around the pallet

Frequently asked questions

What does silica gel do?

Silica gel adsorbs water vapour from the surrounding air, lowering relative humidity inside a sealed package or container. This helps prevent condensation, mould, corrosion, and dimensional changes in moisture-sensitive goods.

Is silica gel toxic?

Pure silica gel is non-toxic. The "Do Not Eat" label printed on most sachets is a regulatory precaution to prevent accidental ingestion, particularly by children, rather than a poison warning. For full safety information on a specific product, refer to the data sheet on the relevant product page or contact our packaging specialists.

Can silica gel be reused?

Yes. Silica gel can be reactivated by oven drying, which drives off the absorbed moisture and returns the beads to working capacity. Reactivation is cost-effective for in-house packing operations and reusable warehouse equipment, but rarely worth the operational overhead for one-shot transit sachets. For specific reactivation guidance for your application, contact our packaging specialists.

How much silica gel do I need?

The standard rule of thumb is 5g of silica gel per cubic foot of sealed air space. For unsealed cardboard cartons and longer transit times, dose at the higher end of the range. For palletised loads and shipping containers, switch to calcium chloride desiccants which absorb significantly more moisture per gram. For sizing guidance on a specific application, see our silica gel sizing guide or speak to your account manager.

Which is better, silica gel or calcium chloride?

Silica gel is better for individual product packing and short-to-medium transit. Calcium chloride is better for palletised loads, sea freight, and shipping containers because it absorbs around 250% of its weight, compared to 22-24% for silica gel. Most exporters use both: container desiccants at the freight level, silica gel sachets at the carton level.

What is Micro-Pak Dri Clay® and how does it differ from silica gel?

Dri Clay® is a moisture-control desiccant that uses naturally occurring bentonite clay rather than silica gel beads. It is housed in a biodegradable FSC-certified Kraft paper sachet and absorbs up to 40% of its weight in moisture, outperforming standard silica gel. Dri Clay® is suitable for businesses with sustainability targets that need a like-for-like replacement for silica gel sachets.

Sustainable moisture protection with RAJAPACK

For businesses with sustainability targets, our Micro-Pak Dri Clay® range uses biodegradable bentonite clay in FSC-certified Kraft paper sachets as a direct replacement for traditional silica gel. The Absorpole® shipping desiccant is the first carbon-neutral container desiccant on the market, supporting greener export operations without sacrificing moisture protection at the freight level.

Need expert advice? Our packaging specialists can help you specify the right silica gel, desiccant, or container moisture protection for your product, transit duration, and destination. Contact us today for a tailored quote or sizing guidance for contract orders.