Frequently Asked Questions
DUNNAGE BAGS
A Dunnage Bag is a type of inflatable bags used to secure cargo during shipping or transport. They are specifically designed to fill voids within the cargo.
Dunnage bags are used to fill voids – typically inside a shipping container. Mostly, dunnage bags are used between pallets of product and inflated to fill the gap, preventing product shifting in rough conditions.
The X-Pak range of dunnage bags contains 8% of recycled material. As we are the only vertically integrated manufacturer, we are continually looking at ways to reduce the use of virgin material in our bags, without compromising on quality. No dunnage bags on the market today are 100% recyclable. Technology isn’t yet available to manufacture an airbag from fully recyclable material that doesn’t compromise integrity.
Yes. Our dunnage bags are re-useable if in good condition. Our valve allows for simple deflation so they can be re-used. Wherever you have a ‘closed loop’ supply chain, we always suggest implementing the recyclability and re-use of dunnage bags.
No. There are generally 5 or so different types of dunnage bag valves on the Australian market, each depending on the manufacturer. Some of the more common valves are interchangeable. If in doubt, contact X-Pak today to find out if your bags or inflation tools will fit an existing setup.
Although this is a common way to fill the void at the end of a container (between your product at the doors), from a load-restraint perspective, its not recommended. The main reason being due to the rating of dunnage bags not typically able to withstand the full force of a significant load shift in transit. To fill a large gap at the container doors, we’d suggest a container tarp or form of rated lashing system.
X-Pak is Australias leading supplier of dunnage bags and relevant tooling. There are of course, many different options on the market. At our factory in Turkey, we are the worlds only vertically integrated manufacturer. This means we control the quality right from the raw resins used, through to testing and the final product we deliver. X-Pak supplies dunnage bags right across Australia.
Typically, in one of two ways. Firstly, the traditional method of inflation is an air compressor. We provide gauged inflators that fit onto an air hose and can inflate container bags to a set pressure. The other alternative is a Portable Inflation or battery powered unit. These are a fast, easy way to inflate your container airbags.
Dunnage bags range from a Level 0 dunnage bag right through to a Level 5 bag. Using the correct bag for your products and in the correct manner can help secure loads up to 30 tons inside a container. In almost every case, airbag failures or bursting is from using the incorrect product or a poor quality bag.
A dunnage bag can cost anywhere from $4 upwards, depending on the size and rating. Whilst you always want to ensure you are getting best value for money, its important to look at dunnage bags as an investment to prevent cargo damage during shipping. Often a small investment I this space, far outweighs the cost of product damage and lost customers
Yes, depending on minimum volumes and your specific requirements. There are situations where you may have an odd shaped product or large void to fill, for example, where you will require a specifically manufactured dunnage bag. The expert team at X-Pak will willingly be able to assist you, no matter the void you’re hoping to fill.
container lashing
Container lashing is typically a form of corded or woven webbing strap to secure freight inside a container. As most containers from Australia are exported, generally these are a ‘one way’ system. Web lashing can come as a continual roll, or a ready made lashing or strapping system and use a wide array of buckles.
Many! Typically, for restraint in containers, a composite or poly woven system is used. In some cases ratchet straps or chains are used to secure cargo on flat racks or in the hold of a ship. X-Pak specializes in modern, innovative lashing straps to secure your items into containers, reefers or onto flat racks.
There could be one of many reasons for this. Firstly, your company may want to simply ensure your product will not shift in transit and arrive at its destination. Secondly, you may be required to meet a certain compliance regulation like the CTU or IMDG code or thirdly, you would ‘rather be safe than sorry’. Generally, a small investment in proper load restraint straps will give you peace of mind when shipping.
Globally, there are many manufacturers of webbing, cord, wire or steel lashing straps. In many cases, manufacturers are located in Europe where a lot of freight is exported. X-Pak is in partnership with the worlds largest lashing manufacturers and has exclusive rights to their products for the Australian market.
A variety of methods can be used to secure different items into containers. Lashing is a common one and typically uses the container lugs or lashing rings to secure cargo to. To fill spaces, dunnage bags are commonly used in conjunction with different forms of restraint.
Straps used for inside containers can vary in rating. Starting at 300Kg, right through to over 25,000kg. The elongation, or stretch, of your lashing straps also needs to be considered when choosing the correct lash system for your particular application.
All the X-Pak range of strapping and lashing systems are internationally certified and can meet the requirements for the CTU or IMDG Codes for intermodal transport. We work closely with our German engineering team to provide load calculations, engineering and workings to show how best to restrain your products into a container or flat rack.
There are three main types of tooling used for lashing straps. Firstly manual tools are used for smaller day-to-day operations and mostly for lightweight straps. Battery operated tensioners are used to create a consistent, even tension on loads. Pneumatic tools are mostly used on straps requiring high pre tension.
Not always will a simple cargo-lash system secure your freight. Often, lashes have to use using along with rubber matting (to increase friction) and edge protection (to prevent bite in to your goods)
This is not something that can be simply answered. Other factors to consider when secuing cargo relate to your budget, how important proper restraint is, the product being secured, where the product will be shipped, what regulations need to be applied and so on. For the most simple answer, best to call one of our load restraint experts and have the discussion over the phone. We can then arrange a site visit and assess your exact requirements.
container desiccant bags
There is a huge range of desiccant on the market. A simple example is the small sachet you find inside containers of tablets, or in your shoe box. We focus particularly on larger desiccant bags to absorb the moisture out of the air inside shipping containers. These are mostly used when Australian companies are sending their goods overseas.
As a very generic rule of thumb, we’d suggest 4 – 6kg of Pak-Dry desiccant per 20 foot container, or double that (8 – 12Kg) per 40 foot container.
In saying this, here are some additional factors to consider:
- Destination of your cargo: What port is this being shipped to and what are the typical conditions in this area at the time of shipping?
- What is the transit time: Amount of time it will be in the container, until the container doors are opened?
- How susceptible to moisture your product is: Are you shipping ‘wet’ product such as beverages or a ‘dry’ product such as grain?
- Floor moisture content: What type of floor does your container have and what is the moisture content of this
- Moisture content of pallets: Are you using timber, plastic or other pallets? Cardboard pallets are prone to moisture damage and can collapse as a result.
- Volume of cargo: How much product are you loading into the container and are you making sure there is some ‘breathable’ space in your container for the desiccants to work
The most cost-effective and practical way to stop condensation or moisture build up in a container is the use of desiccants. In simple terms, these are bags you hang of container lugs that absorb moisture from the air over a period of time. If you are using a container for storage of product, or shipping your goods overseas, the right type and correct number of moisture bags will often prevent moisture damage to your products.
Desiccant packs are simply a product to remove moisture from the air. In common applications, you will see small desiccant packs inside bottles of tablets. These small white bags are used to make no moisture will damage or create mold on your tablets. X-Pak provides desiccant packs for larger applications such as under heat shrink products for industrial items or inside shipping containers. The principal is still the same, wherever you have moisture buildup on sensitive product, it causes damage.
This entirely depends on the humidity of the environment they are placed in. For example, if you pack a container full of product with a high water content and place it in a humid environment such as Papua New Guinea, your desiccant bags will fill quickly. When choosing which desiccant to use and how much, there are many factors that need to be considered. In most common export or transport applications where your transit time is 2 – 4 months, the correct number of Pak-Dry desiccant bags will last the journey.
Yes. We carry large stocks of Pak-Dry desiccant in our Sydney warehouse, for Despatch Australia wide. To check up on our latest stock levels, call one of our friendly team today on 1300 551 281 for a current stock count and fast quote.
No, temperature does not affect the performance in terms of absorption when it comes to desiccants. In some situations, they are used in reefer containers where the temperature is below freezing. What is important is the relative humidity in your container or reefer. Calcium Chloride is the main component in most desiccants, which only gets activated at around 40 to 50% relative humidity. This is typically when the risk of condensation can be cause for concern in terms of damaging product through excess moisture.
In the true sense of the word, there are no desiccants on the market that are 100% recyclable and/or carbon neutral. All desiccants we are aware of, contain plastics and certain ingredients to ensure they are strong enough to hang off container lugs in transport and aren’t effected when full of water at full capacity. As an example, a 1Kg desiccant that has a 300% absorption capacity, will potentially end up a 3Kg weight.
In simple terms, a typical clay or mineral desiccant will be a 2Kg bag that absorbs around 60 – 70% of its own weight in terms of moisture. They are the old traditional desiccant bags used and are becoming increasingly unpopular due to their weight and the fact they are less environmentally friendly to ship, due to the large quantity required per container. A Calcium-Chloride Pak-Dry 500g desiccant bag will generally out-perform a 2Kg mineral desiccant, and be much easier to install.
There are a lot of desiccant types available and for many different applications. The most common types of desiccants are silica gel desiccants, clay based desiccant, Mineral desiccants, Container Moisture absorber bags, Dry bags, Container humidity bags and much more. A ‘fun fact’ for the records: Rice is actually a form of desiccant, that’s why putting your phone in rice if its fallen in water can help pull the moisture out of it quickly!
X-Pak Strapping
X-Pak strapping is renown in the Australian market for its introduction in the early 2010’s as the go-to alternative to steel strapping. It is also known as Cord Strapping, Composite Strapping or Fiber Strapping. We source our strap and buckles out of Europe for the Australian market as are passionate about quality and are acutely aware of the consequences of load restraint failure.
In simple terms, yes. Our strapping is traditionally looked for online when people are searching for an alternative or safer strap to the metal strapping they use. It also has highest retained tension and superior shock absorbency in comparison to all non-metal strapping types on the market. As a general rule of thumb, if you’re using a 19mm steel strapping, the 19mm X-Pak strapping will be a suitable alternative.
The four common sizes of composite strap are 16mm, 19mm, 25mm and 32mm. As Australia’s trusted advisors for corded type straps, these are always carried as a common stock item. Along with this we keep the appropriate tensioners, dispenser carts and feeding rods for same day Despatch.
This isn’t something many companies will put on their website; however, we know what we’re experts in and what we’re not good at! We are the experts when it comes to composite and even PET strapping kits with battery operated tools. Although we re-sell a lot of steel and light grade polypropylene strapping from Australian manufacturers, this isn’t out ‘sweet spot’. If you looking to strap light plastic, or cardboard cartons, we’re not for you. Heavier equipment that you don’t want shifting, yes!
Yes, certainly. Almost all our new clients are provided with a training video or Face to Face site training. Its always best to see how a strapping product will perform on our own product before making a decision. We also offer site trials, where you can ship a certain amount of product, secured with X-Pak strapping to see how these travel in transit. Your best bet is to call our main number to check our experts availability for a visit.
The simple answer is yes, many. Number one is safety. There are no sharp edges or dangerous straps when you cut our strapping. Secondly, its hard to find an alternative to steel strapping that’s just as strong (as its pointless using twice the amount of a strapping system that has half the rating), however, our Cord Strapping is rated just as highly. Another advantage is the X-Pak Strap will
The most common setup for a new user of composite strap is to purchase a starter kit. We keep these as a common stock item and for every strapping size available. A starter kit includes a dispenser cart, a tensioner, 2 rolls of strapping, a carton of buckles and a feeder rod. After ensuring it’s the right product for you, we can get you a quote and process your order same day!
The X-Pak Strapping system is joined using a heavy duty galvanized buckle. It’s important to note the importance of using the correct wire buckle with a composite strap. Wherever a strap is joined, becomes the systems weakest point. As an example, we’ve visited sites using a composite strapping but a poly buckle. Effectively, you’re using a say 900kg rated strap with a 150kg rated buckle. Our strapping buckles are also galvanized to ensure they last in outdoor conditions.
We provide a full range of manual and automatic (battery and pneumatic) tooling to tension strapping. Along with the strap and buckles, plastic or cardboard edge protection may be required on sharper edges. Part of our range also includes rubber friction matting. When this is used in conjunction with strapping, your loads are typically very well restrained.
Like most strapping, there are many composite strapping manufacturers in China, SE Asia and a few in Europe. There are no Australian manufacturers of cord or composite straps. We source our strapping out of Europe or Turkey and tooling systems from a combination of Taiwan, USA and Germany.
