Plant-Derived Desiccants for Food Packaging
Plant-derived desiccants present a significant advancement for sustainable food packaging, with traditional silica gel packets consuming approximately 4.2 kilojoules per gram of water absorbed while exhibiting limited biodegradability. Hemp fiber alternatives demonstrate a remarkable 35% increased moisture absorption capacity through combined surface adsorption and capillary condensation mechanisms, while maintaining structural integrity under varying humidity conditions from 30% to 80% RH.
The fundamental challenge lies in developing plant-based desiccants that match or exceed the performance of synthetic alternatives while offering improved environmental outcomes and food-compatible safety profiles.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including hemp fiber fillers with porous cloth interfaces, integrated tubular spacer sheaths containing sectioned hygroscopic particles, terpene-infused breathable coatings, and compartmentalized storage systems with controlled gas exchange mechanisms. These and other approaches demonstrate how plant-derived materials can be engineered to provide effective moisture control while addressing biodegradability concerns in modern food packaging applications.
1. Degradable Packaging Box with Integrated Desiccant Compartments and Controlled Gas Exchange Mechanism
NANTONG BOHU PACKAGING PRODUCT CO LTD, Nantong Bohu Packaging Products Co., Ltd., 2025
A degradable moisture-proof packaging box structure that enables controlled gas exchange while maintaining dryness. The box comprises a sealed container, a desiccant storage compartment embedded within the container, and a sealing cover with a desiccant storage compartment. The sealing cover is mounted on the outer sleeve of the container and features a desiccant compartment. The desiccant storage compartment is inserted into the sealed container, and the sealing cover is covered over the container. The gas exchange mechanism allows air to pass through the upper portion of the sealing cover while maintaining the desiccant's moisture-absorbing capacity. The sealing cover is then sealed to the outer sleeve, maintaining atmospheric pressure to prevent moisture loss.
2. Food Packaging Bag with Integrated Desiccant Storage Compartment and Sealed Cavity Design
浙江跨跃印刷有限公司, ZHEJIANG KUAYUE PRINTING CO LTD, 2024
Moisture-proof and environmentally friendly food packaging bag with integrated desiccant storage. The bag features a sealed top and bottom, a cavity for desiccant, and a storage box at the bottom. The bag has a front panel with an installation compartment, allowing users to place desiccant directly inside the bag. The bag's design enables effective moisture control while maintaining food integrity, with the desiccant compartment preventing direct contact with food.
3. Packaging System with Integrated Two-Way Humectant and Terpene-Infused Breathable Coating
DESICCARE INC, 2024
Humidity control system that integrates plant extracts into packaging to enhance flavor and aroma in products while maintaining controlled humidity levels. The system comprises a humidity controller containing a two-way humectant that combines with essential oils or terpenes to provide flavor and aroma benefits. The humectant is incorporated into a package with a breathable coating, such as polyethylene, and can be a pure terpene or a blend of terpenes. The system enables controlled release of flavor and aroma compounds into the environment while maintaining optimal humidity levels, eliminating the need for direct exposure to plant extracts.
4. Humidity Regulation Composition with Desiccant, Aluminosilicate Additive, and Glycerin Humectant
JAIN MANISH, 2023
Desiccant-based humidity regulator composition for maintaining constant relative humidity in containers. The composition contains a desiccant like silica gel with specific water activity, an additive like aluminosilicate, and a humectant like glycerin. The desiccant absorbs moisture to reach desired water activity, the additive forms an aluminosilicate gel, and the humectant prevents lumping. This composition provides prolonged constant humidity control with oxygen absorption properties.
5. Dry Bag with Hemp Fiber Filler and Porous Cloth for Moisture Absorption and Capillary Condensation
浙江艾伦新材料有限公司, ZHEJIANG AILUN NEW MATERIALS CO LTD, 2023
A dry bag containing hemp fiber filler that replaces traditional desiccant blocks while achieving dehumidification through a unique combination of moisture absorption and capillary condensation. The bag incorporates hemp fiber, which is naturally absorbent, and incorporates a specially designed porous cloth that enables efficient moisture transfer. The hemp fiber filler can be recycled, reducing waste and material costs, while the bag's design enables effective dehumidification through both surface absorption and capillary action.
6. Food Packaging Bag with Integrated Tubular Spacer Sheath Containing Sectioned Hygroscopic Particles
Fujian Liangdian Printing Co., Ltd., 2023
Moisture-proof food packaging bag with enhanced desiccant performance through a novel spacer design. The bag comprises a sealed body with an integrated moisture-proof spacer, featuring a tubular sheath containing hygroscopic particles. The sheath is divided into multiple sections with strategically positioned holes, each containing a specific number of particles. The sheath is then filled with a moisture-absorbing material, creating a continuous moisture barrier within the bag. The bag's inner and outer packaging films are fixedly connected, with the moisture-absorbing material strategically positioned between them. This innovative spacer design enables precise control over moisture distribution within the bag, while the hygroscopic particles work in conjunction with the moisture-absorbing material to achieve optimal desiccant performance.
7. Carton Structure with Integrated Desiccant Layer for Moisture Absorption
Hangzhou Yifeng Printing Co., Ltd., 2023
A carton with enhanced moisture protection through desiccant treatment. The carton incorporates a desiccant layer within its structure, where the desiccant absorbs moisture from the environment. This desiccant layer is strategically positioned within the carton's internal compartments to prevent water ingress while maintaining structural integrity. The desiccant treatment enables the carton to maintain its structural integrity even when exposed to moisture, thereby preventing water damage and ensuring the carton remains intact during storage and transportation.
8. Carton Structure with Desiccant-Infused Sponge Liner Bonded to Backboard
Hefei Qinyi Packaging Materials Co., Ltd., 2023
Moisture-proof carton comprising a sponge liner and inner carton, where the sponge liner is positioned between the inner carton and the backboard, and the sponge liner is bonded to the backboard. The sponge liner contains desiccant material to absorb moisture. The sponge liner is positioned inside the carton body, with the inner carton positioned inside the sponge liner, and the backboard positioned at the top of the carton body.
9. Food Packaging Bag with Central Chamber Desiccant and Controlled Airflow Mechanism
Ningbo Lvran New Materials Co., Ltd., 2022
Food packaging bag with desiccant bag that ensures dryness and maintains food freshness. The bag features a sealed outer cover with air holes and a stop piece at the end. The bag has a central chamber containing a desiccant pack, which is sealed within a rubber pad. A sleeve rod connects the central chamber to the cover, while a cover piece seals the opening. This design provides controlled airflow and maintains dry conditions within the packaging, preventing water vapor accumulation and promoting food freshness.
10. Food Packaging Box with Compartmentalized Storage and Desiccant Integration
Longlide Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., LONGLIDE INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2022
Food packaging box that prevents moisture absorption, mold growth, and odors in dried food like sea cucumbers and abalones. The box has separate compartments for the food and desiccant. It uses a sealed plastic lid with an inner parafilm seal. The food compartment has multiple independent storage buckets to control portion sizes. The desiccant compartment has a desiccant with anti-odor properties. This prevents moisture, mold, and odors from affecting the food.
11. Food Packaging Structure with Integrated Moisture-Absorbing Layer and Ventilated Inner Layer
LI QUAN, 2022
Food container or packaging structure for maintaining crispiness of fried foods during transportation, comprising a drying function layer positioned between the outer and inner layers. The drying function layer, comprising a moisture-absorbing material, is integrated into the packaging structure's walls and bottom. The structure enables moisture absorption through ventilation holes in the inner layer, thereby maintaining crispiness of food contents without direct contact between the moisture-absorbing material and food.
12. Food Container with Desiccant Layer for Moisture Control and Ventilated Absorbency
Li Quan, QUAN LI, 2022
Food container and packaging structure that maintains crispiness and flavor of freshly prepared food during transportation. The structure features a desiccant layer between the outer and inner layers, with the desiccant strategically positioned on the side walls, upper cover, or bottom of the container. This design enables effective moisture control while preventing direct contact between food and desiccant, thereby preserving the crisp texture and aroma of the food. The desiccant layer is optimized to maximize its absorbency through ventilation holes, ensuring optimal drying performance.
13. Food Storage Device with Automated Airflow System and Desiccant-Integrated Seals
XU WENBIN, 2022
Moisture-proof food storage device with an automated airflow system to prevent mold growth by continuously circulating and drying the air inside. The device has a box with dividing partition, sliding seals, and a rotating shaft. The shaft drives one seal to move down, allowing air into the other cavity through the partition. Then it moves back up, pulling air from that cavity. This exchange circulates and dries the air using desiccant bags in the seals and partition.
14. Composite Food Packaging Sheet with Mesh Sleeve, Desiccant Box, and Multilayered Degradable Moisture-Proof Body
Wang Lijun, LIJUN WANG, 2021
Moisture-proof sheet for food packaging that dehumidifies, antibacterial, and degrades after use to avoid pollution. The sheet has a mesh sleeve, moisture-proof body, and desiccant-filled box. The body has layers for degradation, bacterial inhibition, and odor control. The mesh sleeve prevents sheet absorption and contamination. The box absorbs moisture, covers prevent reabsorption, and the sheet degrades.
15. Desiccant Medium with Non-Particulate Humidity-Attracting Material and Vapor-Permeable Isolation Wrapper
DRY AIR SOLUTIONS LLC, 2021
Desiccant products for food storage that prevent moisture-related damage through controlled humidity management. The products contain a desiccant medium comprising an absorbent substrate treated with a non-particulate humidity-attracting material, with a specially designed wrapper that allows water vapor to pass through while isolating the desiccant medium's aqueous solution from the external environment. This design enables the desiccant to absorb moisture while preventing condensation on food surfaces, maintaining optimal storage conditions.
16. Packaging Box with Internal Drying Mechanism and External Waterproof Membrane
PUTIAN PRINTING CO LTD, Putian Printing Co., Ltd., 2021
Moisture-proof packaging box with an internal drying mechanism and external waterproofing to prevent moisture damage. The box has an outer box with a cavity, an inner box inside, and a drying box inside the inner box. The drying box has ventilation holes and is filled with a desiccant. The outer box has a waterproof membrane. This allows moisture absorption inside the box by desiccants, while preventing external moisture with the membrane.
17. Food Packaging Box with Composite Film Bag, Aluminum Foil Seal, and Non-Woven Fabric Reinforcement
Shanghai Enso Packaging Design Co., Ltd., SHANGHAI ENSO PACKAGING DESIGN CO LTD, 2021
Moisture-proof food packaging box with improved desiccant retention and structural integrity. The box features a composite film packaging bag with desiccant, sealed by aluminum foil, and reinforced with a non-woven fabric at the bottom. The desiccant is strategically positioned with its desiccant side facing the bag, while the non-woven fabric prevents desiccant migration. The desiccant is secured to the bag using a reinforced connection system, with the bag itself attached to the box's outer surface. A reinforced box cover ensures the desiccant remains in place while maintaining structural integrity.
18. Packaging Box with Integrated Desiccant System and Breathable Membrane Partition
中山市博思特包装科技有限公司, 2021
A moisture-proof packaging box with a novel desiccant system that addresses the common issue of desiccant leakage. The box features a partition with a middle layer containing desiccant packs, surrounded by breathable membranes that cover the desiccant grid. This design integrates desiccant packs into the packaging structure, eliminating the need for separate desiccant packages while maintaining moisture control. The breathable membranes ensure airflow while maintaining desiccant effectiveness, while the desiccant packs maintain their desiccant properties within the sealed environment.
19. Humidity Control System with Integrated Plant Extract Infusion for Flavor and Aroma Release
DESICCARE INC, 2021
A humidity control system that combines humidity regulation with flavor and aroma enhancement in applications like food packaging. It involves incorporating plant extracts like essential oils or terpenes into humidity control materials like humectants or two-way moisture control products. This allows flavors to be released gradually into the environment as humidity levels change. The extracts are mixed into the humidity control material at a specific concentration to balance flavor release with moisture control. The infused humidity control material can be used in packaging to maintain humidity levels while also infusing the surrounding environment with flavor and aroma from the plant extracts.
20. Food Packaging Material with Embedded Hygroscopic Compounds for Moisture Equilibrium
PRODUCE-SAFE LTD, 2021
Anti-spoilage food packaging material containing hygroscopic materials like salt, sulfate, magnesium, and calcium to maintain the moisture level inside the package. The hygroscopic materials absorb water vapor from the food and package space to create an equilibrium relative humidity inside the package. This prevents moisture loss, mold growth, and spoilage. The packaging material can be a thin film with the hygroscopic materials embedded or a multi-layer structure with hygroscopic layers. The hygroscopic functionality starts when the package is closed and maintains the moisture level every time it's sealed.
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