Low humidity
Dry air below 40% relative humidity can lead to static charges due to friction. The material is no longer fed through the printing machine without deviations.
Benefits
Controlled humidity protects against electrostatic discharge and ensures dimensional stability in the production and printing of cardboard, labels and films. Energy-efficient cooling of large halls ensures optimal production conditions and cost savings.
Reduce electrostatic
Additional air humidification reduces electrostatic charges on packaging materials and machinery.
Prevent dimensional changes
Controlled humidity protects the dimensional stability of paper, cardboard and paperboard.
Cooling with low energy consumption
Evaporative cooling achieves energy-efficient cooling of production halls without air conditioning.
Humidity control for packaging facilities
Air humidification for optimal packaging materials
In the packaging industry, adequate humidity plays a crucial role in the quality and efficiency of packaging materials and production processes. Hygroscopic materials such as paper, cardboard or certain films are sensitive to excessively dry air – they warp, lose their dimensional stability and can become electrostatically charged. Controlled air humidification guarantees consistent material properties during cutting, folding, gluing and printing. At the same time, it reduces dust formation in production and improves working conditions for employees. Especially in areas with high production speeds, constant humidity contributes to process reliability and product quality. Condair air humidification can therefore be a key factor in the efficiency and reliability of modern packaging production and production processes.
Dehumidification for greater process stability
Paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard and solid board are hygroscopic and react negatively to excessive humidity. Cardboard boxes and sheets of paper that are too damp become warped and the edges can become distorted. Cardboard boxes lose their stability at a relative humidity of over 60 per cent, which can lead to a loss of stability. During storage, material deterioration or adhesion problems can occur in rooms that are too damp. Metallic packaging components are susceptible to corrosion in high humidity. In temperature-controlled packaging steps such as laminating or laminating, process stability is improved by controlled humidity. Especially in the summer months, Condair dehumidifiers and air dryers can ensure the quality of packaging and smooth production processes.
Efficient cooling – reduce energy costs
Machines and processes in packaging industry production halls often generate high heat loads. Conventional air conditioning systems are energy-intensive and incur high operating costs. Evaporative cooling offers an economical and environmentally friendly alternative: adiabatic evaporation cools the room air effectively and cost-efficiently. At the same time, the air is humidified, which has a positive effect on material processing. The combination of cooling and air humidification creates a stable production climate, improves working conditions and protects sensitive packaging materials from drying out. Especially in large production areas with high thermal loads, Condair evaporative cooling systems are an efficient way to save energy and increase process reliability.
Optimal humidity
At 45–55% relative humidity, static charges can be easily dissipated due to increased conductivity. The material is fed through the printing machine without any problems.
Electrostatics
Electrostatics causes problems when processing foils and labels in packaging printing and always occurs when poorly conductive materials become charged due to rapid friction or sudden separation.
Use Cases
Prevent evaporative losses
Organic materials have an internal moisture content and will lose moisture to the atmosphere when exposed to air with low humidity. Humidifiers are used to create an environment with the proper balance between the material’s internal moisture content and the air’s relative humidity.
Anti-static and ESD prevention
Low humidity increases static build-up because dry air is an insulator, making electrostatic discharge (ESD) more likely. Maintaining 40–60% relative humidity helps dissipate charges and significantly reduces ESD risk.
Reliable operations start with a controlled environment
Humidity fluctuations can cause static discharge, material distortion, and premature wear on sensitive equipment—all leading to costly downtime. By maintaining consistent humidity, it protects both the machinery and the materials they process, ensuring smoother production, fewer interruptions, and maximum operational uptime.
Discover Condair in action
Polestar Group
A Condair ML Solo high pressure humidification system has been installed in the litho platemaking area at Polestar print company's award-winning plant in Sheffield. Designed to suppress and disperse electrostatic charges when protective film is removed from the plates, Condair's low-energy humidifier maintains a relative humidity of 45%.
Mondi Group, Sonneberg (Germany)
The Mondi Group is a manufacturer of paper-based packaging made of corrugated and solid board. More than 3,000 employees in 15 plants at a total of 13 European locations produce individual packaging solutions in all required sizes and finished in a wide variety of ways.
Preston Sp. z o.o., Poznan (Poland)
Preston Packaging in Poznan (Poland) is a dynamically growing family business specializing in individual packaging and package inserts for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. 40 employees produce according to international standards, mainly for the German and Scandinavian markets.
WERNER KENKEL Sp. z o.o., Krzycko Wielkie (Poland)
For packaging manufacturer Werner Kenkel, controlled humidity has a direct impact on production and quality assurance. More speed, consistent quality and less waste are the most important advantages.
Bart Sp. z o.o, Åšwiecie (Poland)
The packaging specialist Bart Sp. z o.o not only ensures the quality of its products with modern direct room air humidification, but also lowers the temperature and dust generation in production at the same time.
3M Corporation
The 3M Company, formerly known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (1902&2002), is an American multinational conglomerate corporation.
Acorn Corrugated Box Company
Acorn Corrugated Box Co Inc. is a Corrugated and Solid Fiber Boxes industry in Chicago, IL.
Action Printing
For over 40 years, Action Printing has specialized in short to medium runs of magazines, catalogs, books, directories and more. We are known throughout the industry for our specific niche in perfect bound and saddle stitched products printed with black or color text with the option of glossy, color covers and inserts.
Arlon Graphics
Established by its original owners in 1958, Arlon Graphics, LLC is now owned by FLEXcon Company Inc. of Spencer, Massachusetts. Arlon Graphics, LLC has grown to be a worldwide organization with several manufacturing locations and strategically positioned distribution warehouses to best service our various customer bases.
Ashland University
Ashland University is a mid-sized, private, non-profit university in Ashland, Ohio, United States. The university consists of a 135-acre main campus and several off-campus centers throughout central and northern Ohio.
AstroNova
AstroNova (formerly Astro-Med, Inc.) is a global leader in developing and applying data visualization technologies in products serving industrial, packaging, aerospace, and defense markets. It applies its data visualization technology to create products that deliver accuracy, efficiency, and performance across a broad range of end-user markets. Its innovation, coupled with exceptional responsiveness and technical support, creates solutions that make it easy for users to capture, read, process, and print data.
Autajon
Autajon is a manufacturer of folding cartons, labels, set-up boxes and Point-of-sale, for various market sectors such as Perfumes Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals, Wine Spirits as well as Confectionery Food Specialties.
Bernis Box
Bolger Publications
For 82 years, Bolger has led the print industry with innovation and technological excellence.
Diamond Packaging
Diamond Packaging is a global industry leader specializing in developing innovative and sustainable folding cartons and contract packaging services.
Quotes from our Customers
Martin Pritzl
Supply technology"The system was able to reach the new higher humidity levels without any problems. This is another reason why our direct room air humidification has been convincing me as a technical system for years."
Frank Drews
Technical Coordinator"Humidity is very important for us to ensure standardized conditions throughout the production process."
Filip Karoński
CEO"Thanks to air humidification, we no longer have problems with electrostatics, which in the past often led to production interruptions."
Frequently asked questions
How does evaporative cooling improve the indoor climate in production halls?
What are the advantages of dehumidification in the packaging industry?
What is the optimum humidity for packaging production?
When are Condair dehumidifiers used?
Why is humidity control crucial for packaging quality and efficiency?
Get free expert advice
If you want to explore your options for humidity control, Condair's expert sales engineers will visit your site, review your project and talk you through their recommendations.
Alternatively, if you would prefer a call or online meeting, our team are always happy to discuss possible solutions and offer free technical advice.
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