GORE^® Packaging Vents for Agricultural Applications

Releasing and Consuming Gases

Some active ingredients “off-gas,” releasing gases within the container. If those gases cannot escape, the container will bloat, leak or even burst. Other active ingredients consume, or “scavenge” oxygen, creating under-pressure that can cause the container to collapse.

Temperature Differences

Temperature changes, or exposure to different climates, can also deform containers. Rising temperatures expand the gas in the headspace of the container and accelerate the decomposition of reactive chemicals, which can cause over-pressures and bloating. Falling temperatures can cause under-pressures and collapse. Sudden or extreme temperature changes accelerate these deformations.

Altitude Changes

Altitude changes during transport create pressure differences between the outside and inside of the packaging. Increasing altitude creates over-pressure in the container, leading to bloating. Decreasing altitude creates under-pressure, leading to collapse. Sudden or extreme altitude changes accelerate these deformations.

Dispensing Liquids

Dispensing liquids creates under-pressure within the container. If this imbalance is not relieved, the container may collapse.

Hazardous Chemicals and Institutional Cleaners

The UN Orange Book recommends that if a dangerous good is vented, no leakages are allowed. Packaging engineers must address these challenges to maintain package integrity throughout the whole product life cycle.

These chemicals require venting according to the UN Orange Book:

• Chlorine bleach: UN 1791
• Hydrogen peroxides:
  UN 2014, UN 2015, UN 2984
• Hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid mixtures:
  UN 3149
• Organic peroxides:
  UN 3109, UN 3110, UN 3119, UN 3120

Agrochemicals

The UN Orange Book recommends venting for any formulation that could cause package deformation. Highly-concentrated pesticides or fertilizers produce higher levels of off-gassing or oxygen-scavenging. Venting protects their packaging from deformation, leaks and label damage.

Examples of agrochemicals that require venting:

• Organic/inorganic fertilizers
• Pesticides
• Biostimulants
• Gardening liquids

Household Chemicals

Venting is increasingly required for household chemicals – not only for today‘s more highly-concentrated formulations, but also because today‘s customers reject deformed, leaky or label-damaged packages. Reliable venting solutions are the key to successful packaging and satisfied customers.

Applications that typically vent for pressure equalization:

• Carpet cleaners
• Laundry stain removers
• Pipe clog removers
• Surface cleaners containing bleach and chlorine
• Anti-calc-cleaners

• We invented the first ePTFE membrane, and have continued to develop and patent numerous advanced membrane technologies.
• Unlike competitors who purchase their membranes, we use only GORE™ Membranes: those that are designed and manufactured by Gore.
• Our proprietary processes convert “plain” PTFE to ePTFE, and then further tailor the ePTFE to achieve various different characteristics for specific application needs.
   

• We have developed an advanced level of expertise in chemicals that require venting due to off-gassing or oxygen scavenging.
• Our research and development teams have conducted in-depth investigations into the ways fluid viscosity and surface tension affect venting performance.
• We also developed proprietary testing procedures for “Residual Airflow” and “Liquid Entry Pressure,” to assess venting response to real-world conditions.

• We conduct in-line airflow, in-line camera, and Water Entry Pressure tests, to ensure the consistent quality and reliability of our Packaging Vents.
• We laser-mark most Plug-In Vents with an individual tracking code that links to actual production data and certain in-process performance characteristics. If there is ever an issue, we can retrieve this data at any time, for troubleshooting.
• Our vents meet strict performance requirements. They pass rigorous approval tests for dangerous goods, and meet DOT and ADR standards.

• We offer worldwide application engineering support, including extensive testing facilities (if needed), to help find the most appropriate venting solution – or to assist with troubleshooting in case of an emergency.
• Our global network of sales representatives makes purchasing fast, easy and convenient.
• Our manufacturing facilities in the US, Germany and Japan provide dedicated centers of excellence for specific product families.

• We have more than 20 years’ experience in packaging applications including hazardous chemicals, agrochemicals, institutional cleaners and household chemicals.
• Our products are trusted by every leading chemical formulation company as well as cap and container manufacturers worldwide. Collectively, they have installed hundreds of millions of GORE^® Packaging Vents!