Clariant to showcase container desiccant to furniture market at CIFM 2017

• Clariant will participate in the leading woodworking machinery and furniture production exhibition, to be held March 28-31, 2017, in Guangzhou, China
• The easy-to-use, safe-to-dispose Container Dri® II cargo desiccant will be highlighted to the furniture market in Asia
• Container Dri II is EcoTain® awarded for its best-in-class sustainability and performance excellence

Shanghai, March 14, 2017 – Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, is returning to the CIFM exhibition March 28–31, 2017, at the China Import and Export Complex in Guangzhou, China. Held since 2004, the CIFM exhibition is one of the most comprehensive trade fairs in the woodworking machinery, furniture production and interior design industry in Asia. At CIFM 2017, Clariant will highlight its leading cargo desiccants — the Container Dri II products — to the furniture market in Asia.

Increasing urban population in developing countries and a booming real estate industry have been driving the global furniture market's growth over the past decade. The Asia Pacific region is expected to overtake the North American furniture market by 2020 in terms of market share. In the coming years, the Asian market for furniture is expected to witness double-digit growth, with the emerging markets of India and China in particular fueling this growth.

While the furniture market in Asia is growing rapidly, furniture manufacturers and traders are often faced with a headache when it's time for furniture transportation. Due to their size and weight, finished furniture products destined for overseas market are likely going to go through a long journey that could take weeks to complete. During shipment, the uncontrolled humidity and condensation can easily compromise the furniture's physical condition and quality. Mold, corrosion, spoilage and warping are just some of the harmful effects caused by moisture during transportation, whether it is via shipping container, rail, barge or truck.

Container Dri II cargo desiccants
Clariant's Container Dri II portfolio offers a comprehensive line of container desiccants that provide versatile protection against damaging humidity and moisture during intermodal transport. Available in various packaging, these industry-leading products aggressively absorb up to three times their weight in moisture, and trap it as a thick gel that will not spill or drip, reducing relative humidity to less than 40 percent.

The product reduces dew point temperatures that cause harmful "container rain", keeping cargoes safe and dry for up to 90 days. It is particularly valuable when there is a large volume of space requiring moisture removal; high levels of humidity are present due to climate, cargo or storage conditions; or the container is not fully closed and admits exterior air and humidity.

EcoTain-certified for sustainability
EcoTain -certified products have an outstanding sustainability profile. Clariant's EcoTain label is only awarded to products that are identified as best-in-class for sustainability and performance excellence to customers. Products are screened against 36 criteria across three dimensions: social, environment, and economic. Container Dri II delivered a positive benefit in all three, making it the only cargo desiccant to carry an eco-label claim.

"In addition to being easy-to-use and safe-to-dispose, the Container Dri II product achieves considerable savings for the users. The cost for Container Dri II to absorb the same amount of moisture is much lower than using traditional silica gel products. This significantly lowers the running cost spent on the transportation of furniture," said Justin Mueller, Global Head of BG CDP, BU Functional Minerals.

Clariant's team of technical and customer service experts will be on hand at their booth during the four day CIFM show to explain details of these products and help visitors find the best solutions for their needs.