Contact Sales on +44 (0)1472 240940
Berlin Packaging expands its presence in EMEA with the acquisition of BlueSky.
Contact Sales on +44 (0)1472 240940
Berlin Packaging expands its presence in EMEA with the acquisition of BlueSky.
A product may look dry and stable, but if the packaging allows too much water vapour to pass through over time, the contents can be affected. Tablets may soften. Powders may clump. Capsules may become less stable. The product experience can change before the customer has even reached the end of the pack.
This is where WVTR matters.
WVTR stands for Water Vapour Transmission Rate. It is a measure of how much water vapour can pass through a packaging material over a set period of time.
For brands and contract fillers working with vitamins, minerals, supplements, powders, tablets, capsules and healthcare products, WVTR is an important specification to understand when choosing packaging.
BlueSky’s Duma range is made from HDPE and is designed for products where moisture protection, secure closure and trusted category recognition all matter.
WVTR means Water Vapour Transmission Rate.
It measures how much water vapour passes through a material over time. In packaging, it is used to understand how well a container or film resists moisture ingress.
A lower WVTR means less water vapour passes through the packaging material. A higher WVTR means more water vapour can pass through.
For dry products, a lower WVTR is usually preferred because the packaging helps reduce exposure to moisture from the surrounding environment.
WVTR is particularly relevant for:
The right WVTR requirement will depend on the product, shelf life, storage conditions, fill volume and closure system.
Moisture can affect dry products in several ways.
For tablets and capsules, excess moisture can affect texture, appearance and stability. For powders, it can lead to clumping, caking or changes in flow. For nutraceutical and healthcare products, moisture exposure can also affect how the product performs over its shelf life.
That is why packaging for dry products should be chosen carefully.
The pack needs to do more than look right on shelf. It needs to help protect the product from the environment it will face during storage, transport, retail and consumer use.
For growing supplement brands and contract fillers, this is especially important. If a product is being sold through e-commerce, retail, subscription or export channels, it may experience different temperatures, humidity levels and handling conditions before it reaches the end user.
A suitable container, closure and seal can help reduce that risk.
Duma containers are commonly made from HDPE, or high-density polyethylene.
HDPE is widely used in healthcare, pharmaceutical-style and supplement packaging because it is durable, lightweight and suitable for a wide range of dry product applications.
For moisture-sensitive products, HDPE can offer a useful balance of:
This is why HDPE Duma containers are widely used for tablets, capsules, powders and nutraceutical products.
The container material is only one part of the packaging system, though. Closure choice, induction seals, liners, headspace, fill volume and storage conditions can also affect how well the pack protects the product.
BlueSky’s Duma range is designed for products where moisture protection matters.
The HDPE construction helps limit water vapour transmission compared with materials or formats that may provide less moisture resistance. This can support product quality and shelf-life requirements for suitable dry products.
Duma containers are often used for:
The key benefit is confidence. For brands and fillers, Duma is a recognised packaging format in healthcare and supplement markets, with a practical combination of protection, usability and production suitability.
Before launch, brands should still validate the full pack against the product and required shelf life. WVTR performance depends on the complete packaging system, not just the container material.
A common mistake is to think of WVTR as only a material property.
The material matters, but the finished pack matters more.
Moisture protection can be affected by:
This is why pack specification should consider the container and closure together.
A high-quality container with the wrong closure may not deliver the expected protection. Equally, a good closure system may be weakened by excessive headspace or poor storage conditions.
For brands, the practical question is not only “what is the WVTR of this material?” It is “will this full pack protect my product for the required shelf life?”
Headspace is the empty space between the product fill and the top of the container.
Too much headspace can increase the amount of air and moisture present inside the pack. This can be a concern for moisture-sensitive tablets, capsules and powders.
Choosing the right container size helps reduce unnecessary headspace and supports better pack efficiency.
For example, if a product only fills part of a container, it may be better to use a smaller size rather than leaving a large empty space above the product. This can also improve the customer experience, because the pack feels better matched to the amount inside.
For supplement brands and contract fillers, correct sizing matters commercially too. The right Duma container can reduce wasted space, improve pallet efficiency and make the finished product feel more considered.
BlueSky supplies a range of Duma containers to suit different product and closure requirements.
Duma Standard
Duma Standard containers are widely used for tablets, capsules, powders and nutraceutical products. They provide a practical, familiar format for healthcare and supplement packaging.
Duma Special
Duma Special containers offer another option within the Duma range, supporting brands and contract fillers that need specific sizes or pack characteristics.
Duma Twist-Off
Duma Twist-Off containers are designed for applications where tamper evidence and child-resistant functionality may be required, depending on the closure and pack specification.
The right Duma option depends on product type, capacity, closure requirements, user needs and supply planning.
Low WVTR packaging is particularly relevant for products that may be affected by moisture.
This includes:
The more sensitive the product is to humidity, the more important moisture protection becomes.
However, packaging should always be specified against the individual product. A stable tablet and a highly moisture-sensitive powder may need different packaging strategies, even if both sit within the supplement category.
Some buyers compare PET and HDPE when looking at WVTR.
Both materials are widely used in packaging, but they perform differently and are chosen for different reasons.
PET is often selected for clarity, shelf appeal and product visibility. HDPE is often selected for robustness, chemical resistance and suitability for healthcare-style dry product packaging.
For dry products where moisture protection is important, HDPE Duma containers are often a strong choice because they are designed for tablet, capsule, powder and nutraceutical applications.
PET may be suitable where product visibility, aesthetics or other performance factors are more important. The best material depends on the product, shelf life and route to market.
Before choosing packaging for a moisture-sensitive product, consider:
The best packaging decision is made early, before the product, label, carton and production schedule are fixed.
BlueSky supplies Duma containers for supplement, nutraceutical, healthcare, animal health and contract filling applications.
The team can support with:
For brands and contract fillers, the value is not only in choosing a container. It is in choosing a packaging system that protects the product, supports production and works commercially.
BlueSky can help you compare options and select the right Duma format for your product.
WVTR is an important consideration for tablets, capsules, powders and nutraceutical products.
By choosing the right Duma container, closure and pack size, brands can help protect their product from moisture while supporting a practical and trusted packaging format.
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