When less is more: how right-sizing desiccants cuts waste and cost

When you’re trying to protect cargo from moisture, using extra protection seems safer. More desiccants, more grams, more layers. But here’s the catch: overdoing it can quietly add cost, weight, and waste to every shipment.

At Absortech, we run into this often: a shipment arrives with desiccants tucked into every available corner—triple-dosed, taped on crates, scattered between boxes.

The intention is good. The outcome? Not always.

Over-protection comes with a hidden price tag

When desiccants are over-applied, it’s not just the extra units you’re paying for. You’re also adding:

• More packaging waste
• Longer installation times
• Higher logistics costs
• Unnecessary CO₂ footprint

If you’re working toward ESG benchmarks or PPWR compliance, every extra gram of material and every unnecessary step counts against you.

Worse this “more is better” mindset can create a false sense of security. The smarter approach is to use the right amount of the right desiccant.

Smart protection with a targeted strategy

Absortech’s experts use data-driven moisture audits and field insights to develop targeted product selection and application strategies matching desiccant type and quantity to:

• Route climate
• Container size and loading
• Cargo sensitivity

This cuts waste and ensures effective moisture control without going overboard.

Want to cut waste and keep your cargo dry?

Our experts can run a moisture audit or help you simulate protection needs using real shipment data. Because in moisture control, less isn’t risky. It’s responsible.

Talk to an expert