07/09/2026
Invisible but Indispensable — The Role of Desiccant in an Insulating Glass Unit
An insulating glass unit is designed to be hermetically sealed — but this does not mean the cavity is completely free of moisture.
Some moisture may be unavoidably trapped in the unit during manufacture, and additional moisture will diffuse through the edge seal during the lifespan of the unit. If not controlled, it will eventually condense on the interior glass surfaces, compromising visibility and the performance of the unit — and ultimately resulting in premature failure.
This is where desiccant comes in. Thousands of beads of desiccant are housed inside the spacer bar, performing the critical function of adsorbing moisture from the cavity throughout the service life of the unit.
FG Trading supplies SIVLITE™, a high-performance 3A molecular sieve designed specifically for insulating glass units — because not all desiccants are equal, and quality matters. Pore size is critical — a 3A desiccant selectively adsorbs water molecules while limiting the adsorption of other gases present in the unit cavity.
SIVLITE™ is approved by a leading independent test laboratory and complies with both European and American standards — offering good Delta-T performance, extremely low dust content, very low initial moisture level, high adsorption capacity and no corrosive substances. It is the most cost-effective solution for long-lasting fog prevention in any climate — ensuring unobstructed views, preventing fogging that would otherwise hinder insulation performance, and protecting units from premature failure due to moisture buildup.
Available in 0.5–0.9 mm and 1.0–1.5 mm bead sizes, SIVLITE™ is suitable for both manual and automatic filling systems and is supplied in 25kg boxes.
FG Trading has been supplying SIVLITE™ desiccant and a comprehensive range of high-quality double glazing components, equipment and technical support to IGU manufacturers throughout Southern Africa for 15 years.
Contact our team for more information:
💬 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/27837070985
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Web: www.fgtrading.co.za