VCI Packaging

If your business or customers manufacture or sell ferrous metal parts or products, VCI packaging is vital in protecting them during shipping.

VCI packaging – meaning “vapour corrosion inhibitor” or “volatile corrosion inhibitor” – is a type of pack that prevents its contents from rusting. It works through VCI molecules, forming a thin, invisible layer on ferrous metal surfaces to inhibit corrosion. Common types of VCI packaging include films, bags, and cardboard VCI boxes that use a specialist coating.

GWP use an advanced VCI packaging material – Bio VCI – to manufacture bespoke corrugated packaging that protects metal products during transit. Alternatively, UK sheet plants can purchase VCI-coated corrugated material as part of a confidential trade agreement for conversion at your manufacturing site.

If your business or customers manufacture or sell ferrous metal parts or products, VCI packaging is vital in protecting them during shipping.

Benefits of cardboard VCI packaging

Reports suggest that the costs associated with corrosion are as high as $2.5 trillion globally, with a significant proportion of this affecting the shipping of metal products and components. GWP’s VCI packaging and coated board are crucial in preventing corrosion yet offer a range of additional benefits, too.

The Bio VCI corrugated board coating is proven in independent tests to provide the highest corrosion protection for ferrous metals in transit and storage.

Preventing damage caused by rust/corrosion during storage and shipping results in significant cost savings and minimises customer returns.

Using a VCI box eliminates the need for secondary packaging such as VCI bags, films and papers, further reducing costs and improving packing times.

Cardboard VCI packaging also reduces packing times by removing the requirement for greasing or coating items before being packed (and the need for cleaning at their destination).

Custom VCI packaging is available in almost any size and tailored to your parts, components or products. Bespoke VCI boxes are particularly suited to automotive, aerospace and engineering industries.

Bio VCI coated board is safe to handle, with no PPE (personal protective equipment) required for staff packing parts.

Any VCI box is fully recyclable and biodegradable, eliminating the need for complex disposal methods that can incur significant costs.

Cardboard VCI packaging material is easily glued and converted on standard manufacturing equipment, making it suitable for conversion by sheet plants.

Sheet plants can request VCI cardboard material from 500 square metres as part of a confidential trade service (for conversion and resale to customers).

Cardboard VCI packaging examples

Technical information

Availability

Board: Pure kraft liner

Minimum run: 500 m²

Minimum sheet size: 250 x 600mm

Maximum sheet size: 1500 x 3000mm.

Conversion

Sheet plants should convert coated boards within 2-3 months of manufacture. Converters can store it for longer, provided it is fully wrapped with stretch or shrink wrap. If left unwrapped, the VCI properties will decrease over time.

BioVCI can either be applied to one or both sides of the corrugated board and is clear in colour.

BioVCI coating should only be applied to a pure Kraft liner as recycled liners contain harmful chemicals which help generate rust.