MICRO-PAK Dri Clay Kraft User Manual
- June 10, 2024
- MICRO-PAK
Table of Contents
MICRO-PAK Dri Clay Kraft
Micro Pak Dri Clay ® Kraft vs Silica Gel
Environmental Impact & Sustainability Comparison
MICRO PAK DRI CLAY®
Ingredient
All Natural, Plastic Free & Biodegradable Micro Pak Dri Clay® is a 100% natural desiccant made of high grade bentonite clay, a widely available and effective desiccant material. Dri Clay® is packed in Kraft paper that is plastic free, biodegradable and Forest Stewardship (FSC) certified.
Production Process
No Chemicals. Low Energy & Water Use
Bentonite clay is a naturally occurring mineral. The simpleproduction process
consists of extracting, drying and grading the minerals before packaging them.
This process requires zero chemical inputs or additives, as well as low energy
and low water consumption, resulting in a small carbon footprint. The
bentonite clay is responsibly extracted at partner owned mines throughout the
world and processed in partner owned facilities. Once extraction is complete,
the sites are restored and re cultivated to an equal or better state than when
operations began. Dri Clay ® has a clear chain of custody from the mine to the
consumer package.
Packaging
Plastic Free & Biodegradable
Dri Clay ® is packaged in Kraft paper sachets that are plastic free, biodegradable and chemical free (sealed with a water based adhesive). The Kraft paper is responsibly sourced from a Forest Stewardship (FSC) certified manufacturer.
Disposal & End of Life
Both the ingredient and the packaging of Dri Clay ® need to be taken into account to determine safe disposal and end of life. The ingredient is the same naturally occurring mineral as originally mined which is non toxic and chemically inert, andcan be disposed in any soil or landfill without impact. On disposal the clay is returned back to the earth. The Kraft paper packaging is Forest Stewardship (FSC) certified, plastic free, chemical free and biodegradable so can also be safely disposed in landfill. As both the ingredient and the packaging are chemical free and biodegradable, they will not release harmful chemicals or toxins into the soil and will not contaminate water systems
Product Safety
- All natural and non toxic
- No chemicals or additives
- Meets, exceeds or is exempt from international regulations
- Clear chain of custody from consumer packaging back to the mine. We therefore know exactly what ingredients are used.
Regulatory Compliance
- USA EPA compliant
- Europe REACH exempt but nevertheless passes all tests for REACH’s Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs)
- AFIRM compliant
- DMF free
- RoHS compliant
Consumers demand increasingly higher standards of sustainability from brands but your sustainability efforts are undermined every time a customer unpacks your product and finds a silica gel or synthetic desiccant inside the packaging. Dri Clay® presents a sustainable, eco friendly brand message to your customers.
SILICA GEL
Ingredient
Synthetic. Made from Chemicals
A synthetic material made from sodium silicate or other chemicals depending on
the desiccant type.
Production Process
Chemicals. Energy & Water Intensive
The production of silica gel uses a far more complex, multi step process
that requires significant chemical and water inputs, and results in high
levels of pollution and waste water. The process begins with a raw material,
sand, plus sodium carbonate, a chemical feedstock. These are combined in an
energy intensive furnace or hydrothermal process, followed by additional
processing to produce an intermediate material sodium silicate. The sodium
silicate is then combined with sulfuric acid in a reaction vessel to produce
sodium sulfate and amorphous silica gel. Following the removal of the sodium
sulfate and process effluent and subsequent extensive washing, the remaining
silica gel is ready for processing into desiccant material. It is washed down
with water to a desired conductivity level, heat dried to a moisture content
of 3% or less, and then graded prior to packaging.
Packaging
Plastic. Not Biodegradable
Commonly packaged in Tyvek spun-bonded polyolefin, a high density plastic barrier, and sealed with chemical-based adhesives. The packaging is not biodegradable and the plastic-barrier makes recycling difficult.
Disposal & End of Life
Both the ingredient and the packaging of silica gel need to be taken into account to determine safe disposal and end of life. Silica gel and the polyolefin packaging are both made from chemicals and are not biodegradable. They will remain in landfill indefinitely and may release harmful chemicals and toxins (particularly silica gels with additional chemical additives) into the soil and then into the groundwater, potentially contaminating our water systems. The Tyvek packaging can technically be recycled, but desiccant packs are normally too small to be economical for recycling facilities to recycle and few facilities will accept them.
Product Safety
- Synthetic product made from chemicals
- Some silica gels contain DMF (banned in Europe) and cobalt chloride indicators (a possible carcinogen)
- No chain of custody meaning customers have no clear information on ingredients or harmful substances.
- Highly polluting industry. The Chinese government is actively shutting down thousands of silica gel factories.
Regulatory Compliance
- Subject to REACH reporting
- Check with your suppliers if the silica gel is REACH certified in addition to passing all tests for REACH’s Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs). Also check if it is EPA compliant and DMF-free.
Quick Overview
| Micro-Pak Dri Clay® | Silica Gel and Synthetic Desiccants |
|---|
Ingredient
• 100% natural bentonite clay
Packaging
• Plastic-free and biodegradable Kraft paper that is Forest Stewardship (FSC) certified
| Ingredient
• Synthetic. Made from chemicals
Packaging
• Commonly Tyvek. Made of plastic and not biodegradable
Low Impact Production Process
· No chemical use and no additives or solvent
· No water and low energy use means low carbon footprint
· Sun drying is used where possible to further reduce energy use
· Responsible mining at partner-owned sites that are restored to an equal or better state than when operations began
| High Impact Production Process
• Chemical, water, and energy intensive
• Large volumes of wastewater generated
• Made synthetically from sodium silicate or other chemicals depending on desiccant type
• A highly polluting industry. China is the world’s largest silica gel producer and the Chinese government is actively shutting down thousands of silica gel factories.
Chain of Custody
• Clear chain of custody from consumer packaging
to the mine.
• Know exactly what ingredients are used
| Chain of Custody
• No chain of custody
• No clear information on ingredients or harmful substances
End of Life
• Both the ingredient and the packaging are
plastic-free, non-toxic and biodegradable
• No impact to soil or water systems
| End of Life
• Both the ingredient and the packaging are made from chemicals, contain plastics and are not biodegradable.
• Will remain in landfill indefinitely and can release harmful chemicals and toxins into the soil and water
systems
Chemical Management
· Meets, exceeds or is exempt from international regulations
· Contains no chemicals or chemical additives
· REACH exempt and passes all SVHC tests
· EPA compliant
· Clear chain of custody
| Chemical Management
· Some silica gels contain DMF (banned in Europe) and cobalt chloride (a possible carcinogen)
· Subject to annual REACH reporting. Check that it is REACH certified in addition to passing SVHC tests
· No chain of custody
- Micro Pak Ltd. Suite 2504, Tower 6, The Gateway, Harbour City, 9 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
- Tel: (852) 2956 2991 Fax: (852) 2956 0790 Email: info@micropakltd.com Website: www.micropakltd.com
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