{"id":85,"date":"2024-06-04T03:15:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-04T07:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=85"},"modified":"2024-06-25T15:28:24","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T19:28:24","slug":"a-comprehensive-guide-to-anti-static-packaging-and-conductive-packaging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=85","title":{"rendered":"A comprehensive guide to anti-static packaging and conductive packaging"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n By<\/p>\n


\n Emily Parker <\/a>
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General Manager, Correx\u00ae Division – GWP Group<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Are you shipping fragile and sensitive electronics? Then you may be looking for packaging to protect your products during handling and transit.<\/h2>\n

While electronics can benefit from the protective properties of standard packaging solutions, they may need specialist protection from electrostatic discharge or ESD.<\/p>\n

ESD-safe packaging comes in many forms and is popularly known as anti-static packaging or ESD packaging.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll provide a comprehensive guide to anti-static packaging, the science behind it and discuss the different types of ESD packaging available.<\/p>\n

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Understanding anti-static packaging<\/strong><\/h2>\n

So, what is anti-static packaging?<\/p>\n

Anti-static packaging is packaging that can prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) from damaging products.<\/p>\n

It will sometimes be referred to as conductive packaging, static dissipative packaging, ESD packaging or shielding packaging too. These different types of anti-static packaging all perform similar functions, which we\u2019ll explain later in this article.<\/p>\n

Anti-static packaging is often made from materials like polythene or PET films that have additives that prevent static electricity. It can also be made from cardboard with specialist coatings, as well as foam.<\/p>\n

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The science behind anti-static packaging<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Static electricity (or electrostatic discharge) might not seem like a big deal in everyday life. You\u2019ll get a small shock from touching another person or object and think nothing of it.<\/p>\n

These shocks are created by electrostatic discharge moving between two objects (or people!). However, this static electricity can create a large amount of heat. This in turn can cause electronic devices to break or become faulty.<\/p>\n

Due to this, electrostatic discharge is an extra risk during storage, shipping and transit. Which is where anti-static packaging comes in. It provides protection from the usual rigours of shipping AND can prevent the build-up of static charges, as well as dissipate them.<\/p>\n

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Why anti-static packaging is important<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Electrostatic discharge damage can be costly. It\u2019s estimated by the ESD Association<\/a> that damages caused by static in the electronics industry can run up to $5 billion. Some major companies suggest that ESD is responsible for 25% electronics part failures too.<\/p>\n

In essence, anti-static and ESD-safe packaging help prevent the costly risk that static-sensitive microchips, motherboard and other electronics components might encounter.<\/p>\n

So, what types of anti-static packaging are there?<\/p>\n

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Types of anti-static packaging<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Anti-static packaging is often used as a catch all term of packaging that prevents and resits electrostatic discharge. As mentioned earlier in this article, it also known as conductive packaging, shielding packaging and dissipative packaging.<\/p>\n

While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there are some technical differences:<\/p>\n