Silica Gel Packets & Desiccants

Protect your products from moisture damage in storage and transit with silica gel packets. Silica gel adsorbs water vapour from the surrounding air, lowering the relative humidity inside sealed packaging and preventing the condensation, mould, and corrosion that write off moisture-sensitive stock. It is the standard desiccant for cameras, optical equipment, electronic components, pharmaceutical packaging, leather goods, and footwear.

Our silica gel sachets come in eight sizes, from small 1g packets for individual product boxes through to large 500g bags for crates and export cartons, with next-day UK delivery on stocked sizes and bulk pricing for B2B accounts. With over 70 years of packaging expertise, RAJAPACK supplies silica gel to manufacturers, exporters, archive services, and contract packers across every industry.

Why choose RAJAPACK silica gel packets?

• Eight sizes from 1g to 500g, sold in packs of 100
• Absorbs 22-24% of its own weight in moisture
• Remains dry and free-flowing when saturated, with no risk of leakage onto goods
• Functions in high humidity and at temperatures up to 105°C
• Non-toxic white silica gel
• Next-day UK delivery on stocked sizes, with bulk and contract pricing for B2B accounts

Choosing the right silica gel

Our standard packets use white non-indicating silica gel, the right grade for one-shot transit packing where the sachet ships with the goods and is discarded on arrival. Self-indicating gel, which changes colour as it saturates, only earns its premium in inspection and reuse workflows. If your operation needs it, speak to our packaging specialists.

Size scales with the sealed air volume you are protecting. The standard rule of thumb is 5g of silica gel per cubic foot of sealed air space, dosed at the higher end for unsealed cartons and longer transits. For the full method, including when to add a packet and when to step up to a different desiccant entirely, see our silica gel sizing guide.

For businesses with plastic reduction targets, Micro-Pak Dri Clay® is the biodegradable alternative in the range: naturally occurring bentonite clay in an FSC-certified Kraft paper sachet that absorbs up to 40% of its weight in moisture and is FDA-compliant for food and pharmaceutical contact. It does the same operational job as a silica gel packet without the plastic film.

Shipping containers and palletised export loads

A silica gel packet protects the carton it sits in, not a 40ft container. For sea freight and palletised export loads, step up to calcium chloride, which absorbs around 250% of its own weight: AbsorGel® Max hangs from the container lashing rings, and Absorpole® installs into the container wall recess. Most exporters run both layers, container desiccants at freight level and silica gel packets at carton level. The sizing guide covers the step-up point.

Pairing silica gel with other protective packaging

Silica gel controls humidity. It does not stop impact damage or seal a carton. For complete protection in transit, pair packets with:

• Export boxes: heavy-duty cartons built for international and long-haul shipping
• Packaging tape: a properly sealed carton maintains the dry environment the desiccant creates
• Void fill: stops goods moving and stops packets migrating away from the products they protect
• Bubble wrap: shock and vibration protection alongside humidity control
• Pallet wrap: stabilises loads and adds a moisture barrier around the pallet

For temperature-sensitive shipments, silica gel works alongside chilled packaging and cooling gel packs rather than replacing them. They are different products doing different jobs.

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 prevents condensation, mould, corrosion, and dimensional changes in moisture-sensitive goods. The beads are porous and hold the vapour on their internal surface, which is why a working packet stays dry to the touch.

Are silica gel packets and sachets the same thing?

Yes. Packets, sachets, bags, and pouches are different names for the same product: a porous pouch filled with silica gel beads. Whatever your packing line calls them, size and dosing are what matter, not the name.

Is silica gel toxic?

Pure silica gel is non-toxic. The "Do Not Eat" label printed on most packets is a regulatory precaution against 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.

How long do silica gel packets last?

Silica gel does not expire, it saturates. Unopened packets stored in sealed packaging keep indefinitely, and a correctly dosed packet inside a well-sealed carton lasts the length of the transit. Packets left exposed to open air draw moisture continuously and can reach capacity within days in humid conditions, so store spares airtight and add packets at the point of packing.

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 packets.

How much silica gel do I need?

Start from 5g per cubic foot of sealed air space and dose upwards for unsealed cartons, longer transits, and humid destinations. The silica gel sizing guide works through the calculation, or your account manager can model the dose against your shipment profile.

Need expert advice? Our packaging specialists can help you specify the right silica gel packet size and dose for your product, transit duration, and destination. Contact us today for a tailored quote or contract pricing.