FAQ ABOUT MOISTURE AND CONDENSATION DAMAGE IN SHIPPING CONTAINERS
Q: What is so great about Absorpole anyway?
Well, they will not fall off the wall, get punctured during loading and unloading, leave a wet puddle on the cargo or run out after half the voyage. They are installed in seconds without ladders and take up no cargo space. The capacity of each pole is big, so fewer is required. The cost of an installation is very competitive, even against much inferior alternatives.
Q: How many poles do I need?
The number of Absorpoles required to protect the cargo depends on the cargo, the temperature conditions during the voyage, the length of the voyage – and just how safe you want to be. For some really dry cargoes eg. steel coils or household removals, 2-3 Absorpoles are enough. For a lot of ”normal” goods 4-6 Absorpoles is about right. Some cargoes with very difficult moisture properties on long voyages may reguire up to 16 Absorpoles.
Q: Do I need to line my container with kraft paper?
Lots of containers are lined with kraftpaper primarily for reasons of hygiene or to simply isolate the cargo from direct contact with the container walls. The liner will act as a kind of sponge, catching and absorbing any droplets of water and theb re-evaporating the moisture into the air. If liner is used without Absorpoles it could contribute top a kind of pumping effect, drawing moisture out of the cargo. When used together with Absorpoles the liner will act as a buffer in extreme conditions, and will prevent any container rain from reaching the cargo. Much the same can be said for so called dew cloths.
Q: My container is absolutely filled with cargo. Will the Absorpoles still work?
Moisture diffuses very effectively, even through a seemingly compact cargo. Experience shows that Absorpoles will make a difference even to mould growth inside cartons in the cargo. It is, however, necessary that some free space is left in front of the grille of each Absorpole. If some Absorpoles have collected less water than others inside a container, there may be a problem with air acess to those poles.
Q: I have problems with mould growth inside my shrinkwrapped pallets. Will Absorpoles help?
Yes, so long that there is some acess of air through the top and bottom of the pallets. If this is not possible, a spiked roller may be used to tear holes in the shrink wrap.
Q: My shipments of steel/galvanised components/aluminum/ machinery etc arrives corroded, stained or miscolored despite heavy packaging. Will Absorpoles help?
You can forget about your tectyl, coatings, oil-paper and plastic wraps that are expensive both to apply and remove. Your container can probably be equipped with a sufficient number of Absorpoles to protect against any damage at less cost than your present packaging.
Q: I got some brine on my hands while removing used Absorpoles . Is it dangerous?
No it isn’t. Calciumchloride is non-toxic and environmentally safe. It is the second biggest constituent of sea-salt and is liberally sprinkeled over icy roads in cold countries. The brine is somewhat similar to very salty seawater, and may cause irritation and rashes if left to dry on the skin. We recommend that you wear gloves and goggles when handling used poles, but should you get splashed by brine just wash off immediately with lots of fresh water.
Q: Can I re-cycle my used poles?
The poles are made by PP/PE plastic, similar to what is used to make drink bottles, and is readily recyclable. Each part of the pole is appropriately marked for optimum recycling. Any remaining calciumchloride is easily removed by soaking the poles in fresh water.