Humidity is an important factor in transport packaging.
This is especially true when goods are stored for long periods or shipped through changing temperatures and climates.
Paper-based transport packaging can perform well when it is designed for the right conditions. However, long exposure to high humidity, water, or condensation can affect paper-based materials.
For manufacturers in Malaysia, Vietnam, and other parts of Southeast Asia, moisture should be considered before choosing a packaging system.
Eltete recommends checking the full transport environment. This includes warehouse conditions, container condensation, storage time, handling, and the final destination.
Quick Answer
Humidity does not automatically mean paper-based packaging cannot be used.
The important question is:
How much moisture will the packaging face, and for how long?
Companies should consider:
– Warehouse humidity
– Wet floors
– Rain exposure
– Container condensation
– Temperature changes
– Cold storage
– Shipping time
– Destination climate
– Loading and unloading conditions
The packaging should match the real environment of the shipment.
Q – Why Does Humidity Matter ?
A – Paper is a fibre-based material. When paper-based packaging is exposed to moisture for a long time, its performance can change.
The level of impact depends on:
– Paper grade
– Packaging design
– Exposure time
– Amount of moisture
– Load weight
– Storage conditions
– Transport conditions
This does not mean that all paper packaging reacts in the same way. Different materials and designs can provide different levels of moisture resistance.
Eltete, for example, describes its Slip Sheets as being made from wet-strengthened kraftliner with tear and moisture resistance.
1. Warehouse Humidity
– Packaging may spend days or weeks inside a warehouse before it is shipped. During this time, humidity should be controlled as much as possible.
– Paper-based pallets and other packaging should normally be stored in a clean and dry area.
Avoid storage areas with:
– Roof leaks
– Wet floors
– Rain exposure
– Cleaning water
– Open loading areas
– Heavy condensation
Eltete recommends keeping Paper Pallets indoors on a clean, dry, and level surface. The same basic principle is useful for other paper-based packaging.
Keep it dry before use.
2. Do Not Place Packaging on Wet Floors
Direct contact with water is different from normal air humidity. A wet warehouse or container floor can expose the bottom of a load to moisture for a long period.
This may affect:
– Pallet runners
– Bottom cartons
– Slip Sheets
– Layer pads
– Other paper-based parts
Before loading, check that the floor is clean and dry.
Paper Pallets should not be stored where water can collect. If there is a known moisture risk, the full packaging system should be reviewed before shipment.
3. Container Condensation
Humidity is not only a warehouse issue.
Temperature changes during transport can create condensation inside a shipping container. Eltete explains that water may form on the container walls or roof when temperatures change. This is often called container rain.
The water can then fall onto the cargo.
This may affect:
– Cartons
– Paper-based pallets
– Labels
– Metal products
– Electronics
– Furniture
– Other moisture-sensitive goods
This is why container condition is important before loading.
4. Check the Container Before Loading
Do not assume that every container is dry. Before loading, inspect it.
Check for:
– Water on the floor
– Roof leaks
– Damaged seals
– Holes
– Wet walls
– Strong condensation
– Previous water damage
The cargo should not be loaded into a container with a known moisture problem. Eltete also recommends keeping products away from direct contact with container walls where condensation may form.
5. Temperature Changes Can Increase Moisture Risk
A shipment may move through several environments.
For example:
Warehouse → Truck → Port → Container → Vessel → Destination warehouse
The temperature may change at every stage. These changes can increase the risk of condensation.
Cold storage can also create extra challenges when goods move between cold and warm areas.
Eltete recommends considering:
– Temperature changes
– Condensation
– Cold-storage conditions
– Shipping duration
– Destination climate
when selecting a paper-based pallet for moisture-sensitive applications. The same thinking should be used for the complete packaging system.
6. Moisture Resistance Does Not Mean Waterproof
This is an important difference. A material may resist some moisture without being fully waterproof.
Eltete makes this clear in its guidance for Paper Pallets. A moisture-resistant Paper Pallet can be designed for expected humidity or limited moisture exposure. However, it should not automatically be treated as waterproof.
The same rule should be used when discussing other paper-based packaging.
Do not assume that:
Moisture-resistant = safe in standing water
The expected exposure should always be checked.
7. Paper Pallets and Humidity
Paper Pallets can be used in many export applications.
However, their design should match the environment.
Before selecting a Paper Pallet, consider:
– Product weight
– Pallet dimensions
– Storage time
– Warehouse humidity
– Container conditions
– Transport route
– Handling equipment
– Destination climate
Eltete notes that some Paper Pallet designs may use moisture-resistant materials or other design features for more demanding environments. The correct pallet should therefore be selected for the actual shipment.
8. Slip Sheets and Moisture
Eltete Slip Sheets are made from multiple layers of kraftliner. Eltete describes the material as wet-strengthened and designed to provide tear and moisture resistance.
This makes Slip Sheets suitable for many transport and storage applications.
However, the full load still needs protection.
Manufacturers should check:
– Floor condition
– Storage time
– Container condition
– Product packaging
– Handling method
– Destination conditions
Moisture-resistant material does not remove the need for proper storage and transport planning.
9. Edgeboard and Other Paper-Based Protection
Edgeboard may be used around pallet corners, beneath strapping, or as part of a complete load protection system. Honeycomb Board and other paper-based components may also be used in industrial packaging.
These materials should not be treated as separate from the environment.
For example, a strong Edgeboard cannot correct a shipment that has been left in standing water.
The full system matters.
Eltete’s Transport Packaging Solutions approach combines products such as Edgeboard, Paper Pallets, Slip Sheets, and other protective parts based on the application.
10. Heavy Loads Need Extra Attention
– Moisture becomes more important when the load is heavy.
– A heavy product places more force on the packaging structure.
– If the packaging is also exposed to difficult storage or transport conditions, the design should be reviewed carefully.
Eltete recommends considering factors such as:
– Heavy load weight
– Cold storage
– Sea transport
– Handling conditions
– Load stability
when developing fibre-based pallet and Slip Sheet solutions for demanding loads. Do not choose a packaging system based only on dry-condition performance.
11. Long Shipping Routes
Time also matters. A short local delivery is different from a long export shipment.
A container may spend weeks in:
– Port areas
– Ships
– Outdoor yards
– Warehouses
– Customs areas
– Distribution centres
The longer the journey, the more important it becomes to understand the expected environment. Manufacturers should consider the full route from the factory to the customer.
12. Sea Freight
Sea freight can create different moisture conditions from normal warehouse storage.
A container may face:
– High humidity
– Temperature changes
– Long transport time
– Condensation
– Wet port conditions
The packaging should be selected with these risks in mind. Eltete recommends considering humidity, condensation, shipping duration, and container condition when planning export packaging.
13. Air Freight
Air freight normally has a shorter transport time than sea freight.
However, products may still move through:
– Warehouses
– Airport terminals
– Trucks
– Different temperatures
– Different climates
The shipment may also spend time waiting before or after the flight.
Moisture planning should therefore still be part of the packaging design.
14. Cold Storage
Cold-storage applications need extra care. When goods move from a cold area into warmer air, condensation may form.
This can affect:
– Outer cartons
– Pallets
– Labels
– Product surfaces
– Protective packaging
Companies using paper-based transport packaging in cold-storage operations should review the full temperature cycle. The packaging supplier should know if the load will enter cold storage.
Eltete lists cold-storage conditions as one of the factors that should be considered when evaluating Paper Pallets for moisture exposure.
15. Destination Climate
The conditions at the factory are only one part of the journey. The destination may have very different conditions.
Before choosing packaging, ask:
– Where will the goods be shipped?
– How long will they stay in storage?
– Will they be kept indoors?
– Will the warehouse be climate controlled?
– Will the goods move through a wet season?
– Will they enter cold storage?
– Will the customer store them close to loading bays?
Eltete recommends checking destination climate when choosing paper-based pallets for export.
16. Protect the Product, Not Only the Pallet
The transport platform is only one part of the shipment. Even if the pallet performs well, the product may still be damaged by moisture.
For example:
– Metal products may face corrosion.
– Electronics may be sensitive to moisture.
– Cartons may lose strength after heavy exposure.
Furniture may be affected by water or high moisture.
Eltete recommends using a complete moisture-control approach for export shipments.
This may include suitable outer packaging, load protection, moisture barriers, or other controls based on the product.
17. Keep Products Dry Before Packing
Do not pack a product while it is already wet. Moisture trapped inside the packaging may remain there during transport.
Before packing:
– Check the product
– Check the carton
– Check the pallet
– Check the floor
– Check the container
All parts should be in suitable condition before the shipment is closed.
Eltete recommends making sure products are dry before packing for export.
18. Load Stability Still Matters
Moisture protection and load stability are connected.
If a load moves during transport, it may damage:
– Cartons
– Wrapping
– Moisture barriers
– Protective layers
The load should stay stable throughout the journey.
Depending on the application, Eltete solutions may combine:
– Edgeboard
– Paper Pallets
– Slip Sheets
– Stretch film
– Strapping
– Other protective profiles
as one complete transport packaging system.
How Should Paper-Based Packaging Be Stored?
A simple rule is:
Keep it clean, dry, covered, and protected from direct water.
Good storage practice includes:
– Store indoors
– Use a dry floor
– Check for leaks
– Avoid standing water
– Keep away from open rain exposure
– Avoid placing packaging near wet cleaning areas
– Check warehouse conditions
– Keep the packaging protected until use
For Paper Pallets, Eltete recommends clean, dry, indoor storage on a level surface.
When Should Testing Be Considered?
Testing may be useful when the shipment faces demanding conditions.
Examples include:
– High humidity
– Cold storage
– Long sea freight
– Heavy loads
– New packaging designs
– New export destinations
– Long storage periods
Eltete recommends testing moisture-resistant pallets under conditions that represent the expected humidity, temperature, handling, and load.
Testing should reflect the real application as closely as possible.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1 – Assuming All Paper Packaging Is Waterproof
– Paper-based packaging should not automatically be treated as waterproof.
– Check the actual design and expected conditions.
2 – Ignoring the Warehouse
– Moisture problems can begin before the shipment even leaves the factory.
3 – Loading Into a Wet Container
– Always inspect the container before loading.
4 – Ignoring the Destination
– The customer may store the goods in very different conditions.
5 – Choosing Packaging Only by Price
– A lower-cost solution may not be suitable if it does not match the real environment.
6 – Ignoring Exposure Time
– A packaging system that works for a short local shipment may need a different design for a long export route.
Q – How to Choose Packaging for Humid Conditions
Before contacting a packaging supplier, prepare:
– Product type
– Product dimensions
– Total load weight
– Pallet or Slip Sheet size
– Warehouse conditions
– Expected humidity
– Storage time
– Transport method
– Shipping duration
– Cold-storage use
– Container conditions
– Destination country
– Handling method
– Customer requirements
This information can help Eltete review the full application.
Q – Does Humidity Mean You Should Avoid Paper-Based Packaging ?
A – No.
Humidity alone does not mean paper-based packaging cannot be used.
The packaging should simply be selected for the actual environment.
Eltete already provides paper-based solutions for transport and export applications. Some products, such as its Slip Sheets, are designed with moisture resistance, while Paper Pallet designs can be reviewed for expected humidity and storage conditions.
The key is to understand the exposure before selecting the packaging.
Final Takeaway
Humidity should be part of transport packaging planning in Southeast Asia.
Companies should not only ask:
“How strong is the packaging?”
They should also ask:
“Where will it be stored?”
“How long will it travel?”
“Will it face condensation?”
“Will it enter cold storage?”
“What conditions will it face at the destination?”
Paper-based packaging can be used for many transport applications when the product, load, storage, handling, and moisture conditions are considered together.
The best packaging system is one that matches the real supply chain.
Need Help Reviewing Your Packaging Conditions?
Eltete Malaysia can review your product, load, storage conditions, handling process, and transport route before recommending a suitable paper-based transport packaging solution.
Share details such as:
– Product dimensions
– Load weight
– Storage conditions
– Shipment duration
– Transport method
– Destination
– Expected moisture exposure
– Handling equipment
Learn more at www.eltete.com.my
