Desiccant maker Clariant keeps cocoa beans dry

   Clariant Corp., a maker of desiccant materials, said its Container Dri II desiccant products exceed new specifications from the Federation of Cocoa Commerce Ltd. for protection of cocoa bean shipments in containers during transit.
   The updated federation guidelines, published in November 2013, no longer recommend silica gel desiccant bags; instead, it prefers calcium chloride desiccant bags with a minimum loading of 65 percent.
   “Silica gel, while inexpensive, simply cannot absorb enough moisture to provide adequate protection for this valuable cargo. In contrast, our technology meets or surpasses the new recommendations with a smaller amount of desiccant, thanks to its exceptional absorption capabilities,” said Justin Mueller, head of cargo and device protection at Clariant, in a statement.
   Cocoa beans are mostly grown in Africa, Indonesia and South America, and are typically transported in ocean containers to major markets in Europe, Asia and North America. To protect the beans against damage from mold and mildew during long voyages, effective container desiccants are required.
   Clariant said its desiccant products reduce the dew point temperature (the temperature at which condensation begins to form, causing “container rain”), keeping cargo dry. Container Dri II absorbs up to three-times its weight in moisture and traps it as a thick, no-spill gel, the company said.