HexcelPack, Armor launch VCI paper wrap combining corrosion protection, cushioning for metal parts

USA – HexcelPack and Armor have launched a VCI paper wrap combining expandable cushioning paper with vapour corrosion inhibitor nanotechnology, producing a recyclable kraft paper that protects metal components during transport.

The material is produced from renewable kraft paper and is positioned as a paper-based substitute for foam, plastic, and wood packaging. 

The product can serve as wrap, void-fill, and side-impact protection in one material, providing a paper option in place of custom packaging. 

It is designed to fit irregular shapes and fill empty space without extra materials, which can help reduce packing time and overall packaging volume across packing lines.

Replacing Multiple Materials with One

Traditional shipping of metal parts often requires a combination of foam cushioning, plastic stretch wrap, wood crating, and corrosion-inhibiting oils or VCI bags. Each material adds cost, disposal complexity, and inventory management overhead. 

The ARMOR WRAP HexcelWrap combines three functions, cushioning, void fill, and corrosion protection, in a single kraft paper material. 

The expandable honeycomb structure provides cushioning that foam typically delivers, while the VCI coating releases corrosion-inhibiting molecules that settle on metal surfaces, forming a protective layer without oils or sprays.

No Tooling, Automated Ready

The material does not require tooling for application and can be used in automated packing configurations, including robotic wrapping systems from HexcelCrate that can be adjusted for different equipment. 

For manufacturers shipping irregularly shaped metal components, such as machined parts, automotive components, or heavy equipment, the wrap conforms to the product shape, eliminating the need for custom foam inserts that require expensive tooling per part. 

The material can be used in automated packing lines, where robotic arms can apply the wrap consistently without manual intervention.

Sustainability as a Differentiator

The wrap is produced from renewable kraft paper and is recyclable and repulpable. Unlike plastic stretch wrap, which is rarely recycled and persists in the environment, the paper wrap can be disposed of in standard paper recycling streams. 

The VCI coating is designed to be removed during the repulping process, allowing the fibre to be recovered. 

For companies with corporate sustainability targets, replacing foam, plastic, and wood with a single recyclable paper reduces packaging weight and volume in waste streams.

When One Wrap Replaces Four Materials

A foam block, a plastic bag, a VCI emitter, and a wooden crate are not packaging, they are a supply chain. HexcelPack and Armor’s VCI paper wrap collapses four materials into one. For metal parts shippers, that consolidation is not incremental, it is a redesign.

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