VCI film, VCI paper, barrier film, or desiccant? How to choose the right protection

When it comes to protecting metal products from corrosion, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for every situation. One packaging method may be suitable for several weeks of storage in a manufacturing facility, while another may be better suited for long-term export, during which the product is exposed to temperature fluctuations and high humidity.

Furthermore, VCI film, VCI paper, barrier film, and desiccant bags are not always competing solutions. In many cases, their properties complement each other well.

So how do you choose the right protection?

1. VCI film – universal protection for metal products

VCI film contains corrosion inhibitors that are gradually released into the sealed space of the packaging. They create a protective environment on the metal’s surface that limits the corrosion process.

The advantage is that it is not necessary to treat the product with oil or another protective agent before packaging. After unpacking, the product is ready for immediate use.

VCI film ANTICOfol® is suitable, for example, for packaging machine components, automotive parts, replacement parts, metal assemblies, or entire products.

When to choose VCI film?

Typically when:

you need to protect a metal product against corrosion,
you want to create a sealed package at the same time,
you’re packaging larger or more complex-shaped products,
you don’t want to use oil-based preservation,
you need a custom-made pouch, bag, sleeve, or film,
you’re dealing with the storage or transport of metal parts.

Simply put: VCI film combines the function of packaging with active corrosion protection.

2. VCI paper – when you need to wrap, interleave, or separate a product

VCI paper MULTIferro® uses the same basic principle of protection via corrosion inhibitors but offers different application options.

A major advantage of the paper is its ease of application. It can be used as packaging for individual products, as cut-to-size sheets, as a separator between layers of metal parts, or as part of a more complex packaging system.

There are also various versions available depending on the required properties—for example, versions with a PE coating for greater moisture resistance or reinforced versions designed for more mechanically demanding applications.

When to choose VCI paper?

Typically when:

you are packaging individual metal parts,
you need to separate individual products or layers,
you want to insert VCI protection into a box or shipping container,
you require simple and quick packaging,
you need to combine corrosion protection with other packaging materials.

VCI paper is therefore very suitable, for example, for interleaving metal parts in crates, boxes, or on pallets.

3. Barrier film – when we need to limit moisture penetration

Barrier film works differently.

Its main purpose is not to actively protect metal using VCI inhibitors, but to create a barrier between the product and the surrounding environment.

This is particularly important when the packaged product may be exposed to adverse climatic conditions for an extended period.

A typical example is overseas shipping or long-term storage. During transport, there may be significant changes in temperature and humidity, which increase the risk of water condensation inside the packaging.

When to choose a barrier film?

Primarily when:

the packaging is intended for long-term use,
the product is high-value,
transport conditions are not fully under control,
the product is being exported to climatically challenging regions,
you need to significantly limit moisture penetration into the packaging.

For demanding applications, ALU barrier films are used, for example, to create a sealed protective package.

However, the barrier itself does not remove moisture that is already inside the packaging. This is where another protective element comes into play.

4. Desiccant Packs – Removing Moisture from a Sealed Space

Desiccant pouches serve a different purpose than VCI materials.

Their role is to absorb moisture inside a sealed package, thereby reducing the amount of moisture around the protected product.

Therefore, they are most effective in a well-sealed space. If the packaging remains open for an extended period or allows a significant influx of moist ambient air, the desiccant will gradually absorb additional moisture from the surroundings, and its capacity may be exhausted.

When to use a desiccant?

For example, when:

you need to reduce the moisture inside the packaging,
you are using a barrier film,
you are packaging a product for long-term transport,
it is an overseas export,
you are protecting sensitive equipment or components.

The amount of desiccant must be properly determined based on the size of the packaging, the barrier properties of the material used, the duration of protection, and the conditions of transport or storage.

So what should you choose?

Simply put, the various solutions can be categorized as follows:

I need…	Suitable solution
To package a metal product and protect it from corrosion at the same time	ANTICOfol® VCI film
Interleave or individually wrap metal parts	MULTIferro® VCI paper
Limit the penetration of ambient moisture into the packaging	Barrier film
Reduce the amount of moisture inside sealed packaging	Desiccant bags
Protect the product during demanding, long-term export	Combined solution

And when should individual materials be combined?

This is precisely where the greatest room for error lies in packaging design.

It’s not always correct to think in terms of:

VCI or desiccant?

The right question might be:

What conditions will prevail inside the packaging throughout the entire storage and shipping period, and what level of protection does the product actually need?

For simpler applications, a properly selected VCI film may be entirely sufficient.

For other products, VCI paper inserted between individual metal parts may be more suitable.

And for the long-term export of sensitive equipment, a combination of several protective elements may be the solution.

Example of more complex export packaging:

metal product → VCI protection → desiccant → barrier packaging → secure sealing

The individual elements here serve different functions:

VCI protects the metal surface against corrosion.

Desiccant absorbs moisture inside the packaging.

Barrier film limits the penetration of additional moisture from the surrounding environment.

The result is a more comprehensive protection system suitable for more demanding conditions.

The material isn’t the most important factor. What matters most is properly designed packaging.

When designing anti-corrosion packaging, it is essential to know the following:

the type of metal being protected,
the dimensions and characteristics of the product,
its condition prior to packaging,
the required duration of protection,
the storage method,
the method and duration of transport,
climatic conditions,
other materials placed inside the packaging.

Only based on this information can we determine whether ANTICOfol® VCI film, MULTIferro® VCI paper, barrier film, desiccant pouches, or a combination thereof is more suitable.

Not sure which solution to choose?

At Bropack Solution, we don’t just offer individual packaging materials. We design a protection method tailored to the specific product and the conditions it will be exposed to during storage and transport.

Properly designed packaging doesn’t have to be the most complex.

It should be just right so that the product arrives safely at its destination without corrosion or damage.