Silica gel desiccants: we all recognise them, but how much do you really know about these little pouches that come with many everyday items?

Silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO2), is the same mineral found in quartz, and is one of the most abundant elements in the earth’s crust. Silica is a desiccant – it absorbs and holds water vapour extremely well, holding up to 40% of its weight in moisture.

In packaging, the mineral’s ability to absorb and hold moisture provides the perfect solution to protecting various products from moisture damage. Electronics are particularly susceptible to moisture, as are tablets, spices and other powders. Silica gel desiccants are also sometimes used to keep food items fresh and crunchy all along the value chain until they reach the final customer.

One of the main things many of us notice about the silica gel packets that we find in our products is the big warning label saying “do not eat” – however, this is not because it is poisonous. Silica gel is a harmless, non-toxic substance, and the warnings are intended to minimise the risk of choking in animals and small children, as well as avoid contact with any other chemicals that may have been used as part of the manufacturing process. It’s also a great reminder that the little pouch isn’t a packet of salt from your last take-away meal!

At KIT SA, we provide silica gel desiccants for a variety of applications, with impressive product flexibility that enables us to supply silica gel in various sizes, paper types and quality grades to meet your specifications. From pharmaceutical primary packaging and logistics to desiccants that absorb ethylene for fresh produce transport and so much more, our silica gel solutions are made according to the highest quality standards for your peace of mind.

Explore our silica gel desiccants offering here and get in touch to order yours today.