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.
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
Anti-Static and ESD Prevention
Low humidity increases static buildup because dry air acts as an insulator, making electrostatic discharge (ESD) more likely. Maintaining 40–60% relative humidity helps dissipate electrical charges and significantly reduces ESD risk.
Maximize Machinery Uptime
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.
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.
Discover Condair in action
Preston Sp. z o.o., Poznan (Poland)
A constant relative humidity of 50 per cent ensures that Preston Packaging’s printing process runs smoothly, without any material distortion, and with a high degree of registration accuracy during the subsequent die-cutting and gluing stages.
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.
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.
Varga Nyomda, Eger (Hungary)
As a Hungarian family business, Varga Nyomda specializes in the production of high-quality labels for the wine industry. Controlled humidity makes an important contribution to this.
Bart Sp. z o.o, Świecie (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.
Gelbert ECOPrint, Budapest (Hungary)
Reduced static electricity and less paper warping are the benefits of controlled humidity at Gelbert. Humidifying the air directly in the room ensures optimum humidity levels.
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.
Battlefield Graphics Inc.
Since 1964 Battlefield Graphics has provided clients with the highest standard of printing excellence. They offer customers a complete state of the art print solution all under one roof from initial consultation through to prepress, printing and finishing.
Shutterfly
Shutterfly is an Internet-based image publishing service based in Redwood City, California. Shutterfly's flagship product is its photo book line. The company was founded in 1999 and is currently led by Christopher North. The company went public in 2006. The customer base is heavily skewed toward women, who accounted for 80% of customers as reported in 2013.
Cowan Graphics
Cowan Imaging Group started business in Edmonton in 1945 by Bud Cowan and Muriel MacMillan. With modest beginnings of screen printing silk ties and bronzing baby shoes, Cowan has grown into Canada's Premium Screen printing and Digital graphics company.
Gebrüder Wilke GmbH, Hamm
Perfekte Ergebnisse in der Druckerei Die Gebrüder Wilke GmbH ist seit über 133 Jahren Drucker aus Leidenschaft. 1881 als Buchdruckerei in Hamm gegründet, baute das traditionsunternehmen 2009 dort einen neuen Standort auf. Schon seit 15 Jahren arbeitet die Gebrüder Wilke GmbH mit einer DRAABE Luft befeuchtungsanlge am Standort Grevenbroich. Auch in der neuen Produktionshalle in Hamm sollte Luftbefeuchtung als Produktionsfaktor natürlich berücksichtigt werden. seit Anfang 2013 vernebeln daher drei TurboFogNeo 8 Luftbefeuchter digital gesteuert in der neuen 1.500 qm grossen Produktionshalle einen mikrofeinen Sprühnebel. so wird für eine konstante Luftfeuchtigkeit von 40 - 45 % gesorgt. Als erste Druckerei in Deutschland hat die Gebrüder Wilke GmbH die eingesetzte DRAABE Luftbefeuchtungsanlage auch nach der neuen VDi 6022 blatt 6 zertifizieren lassen.
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?
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