| ESD Packaging

KIVA CONTAINER HAS BEEN ON THE LEADING EDGE OF ESD PROTECTIVE PACKAGING FOR OVER 35 YEARS.

We have a complete thermoforming and corrugated plastic facility to meet your static safe packaging needs. Today electronics require exact fit, physical protection, static protection and cleanliness when shipped or handled. Often the best option to achieve those goals is a thermoformed ESD protective packaging clamshell or tray. Other times a larger solution includes a ESD rigid packaging conductive corrugated plastic box. In many of our designs, we employ formed plastic to eliminate charge generation and precisely fit the component, then package the plastic insert into a static shielding conductive container. It’s all part of designing the most cost-effective ESD packaging to meet your needs.

Our stock of ESD protective packaging plastics is significant and allows us to service needs large and small without minimums or barriers.

Specifications

Applications
- Ultra high density interconnect (UHDI) flex circuits
- Ceramic-To-Metal-Seal (CTMS), Glass-To-Metal-Seal (GTMS) hermetic packages.
- High-Temperature Cofired Ceramic (HTCC) hermetic packages.
- Integrated circuits, Circuit Card Assemblies.
- Custom manufactured Semiconductors
- Electro-Mechanical hermetically sealed relays
- PCB Boards
- Custom & Standard photodiodes
- Custom LED’s
- Fiber-optic Cabling & Connection Components
- Opto-electronic sensors
Materials
- Conductive thermo-formable polymers .02-06
- Static dissipative clear PVC .015-.035
- Conductive plastic corrugated 3mm and 4mm
- Conductive paper corrugated 200lb B flute double wall
- Conductive paper corrugated 200lb E flute double wall
- Specialized ESD packaging medical acrylics (safe for medical devices that require proper ESD protective packaging)

ESD Packaging Applications

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protective packaging provides an integral layer of protection when shipping or storing sensitive electronic devices. This packaging usually takes the form of ESD rigid packaging boxes, but they can be tailored to meet specific needs. Kiva Container creates ESD packaging for these common applications:

High-temperature cofired ceramic (HTCC) hermetic packages
Ceramic-to-metal-seal (CTMS) and glass-to-metal-seal (GTMS) hermetic packages
Ultra high density interconnect (UHDI) flex circuits
Integrated circuits and circuit card assemblies
Custom manufactured semiconductors
PCB boards
Fiber-optic cabling and connection components
Optoelectronic sensors
Electromechanical hermetically sealed relays
Custom LEDs
Custom and standard photodiodes

What is ESD?

Electrostatic discharge, or static electricity, is the electric charge that occurs when two electrified objects make contact with one another. This jolt is harmless when, for example, a person touches something conductive after walking across a carpet. However, ESD can damage sensitive electronic components. When exposed to combustible gasses or liquids, ESD may also cause fires or explosions.

Types of ESD Protective Materials

Various materials are utilized in ESD protective packaging to manage static electricity effectively. Conductive materials, such as thermo-formable polymers (.02-.06), conductive plastic corrugated (3mm and 4mm), and conductive paper corrugated (200lb B and E flute double wall), create a low-resistance path, allowing static charges to dissipate safely. These materials provide an essential layer of protection against static buildup, especially in ESD rigid packaging, which combines both structural support and electrostatic protection.

Static-dissipative materials, like clear PVC (.015-.035), ensure the controlled release of static electricity at a slower, safer rate, minimizing the risk of electric surges damaging sensitive electronics. Specialized ESD packaging medical acrylics are also used in packaging for medical devices, ensuring safe handling and compliance with strict standards for static protection in medical environments.

Together, these materials are key in protecting delicate electronic components across various industries.

Types of ESD Packaging Solutions

Different types of ESD packaging are available depending on the specific needs of the product. Common solutions include antistatic bags, which are used for smaller electronic components. These bags prevent static charges from building up around the device. For larger items, ESD rigid packaging offers enhanced protection.

This type of packaging, often made from hard plastic or other durable materials, not only prevents electrostatic damage but also provides the structural support necessary for transporting fragile or bulky items. Foam inserts and trays, often used in combination with rigid packaging, further protect sensitive devices by cushioning them against impact while ensuring that static electricity is controlled.

Why Anti-Static ESD Packaging?

Most electronic component manufacturers have safeguards in place to prevent electrostatic damage during production. After production, components are handled by subcontractors, shipping agents, and retailers who may inadvertently cause ESD damage. No manufacturer can oversee every shipment from the factory to the purchaser, so ESD packaging containers protect your products from unforeseen ESD damage and save your organization money.

Specifically, anti-static ESD packaging prevents charges from originating within the package while also dissipating potential charges from the exterior. Anti-static ESD packaging material is usually made from polyethylene foam, tubing, sheeting, or bags. It can also line the inside of circuit board boxes, ensuring the safety and quality of individual products as well as those in the same shipping container.

Applications of ESD Packaging Across Industries

ESD protective packaging plays a critical role across multiple industries by safeguarding sensitive electronic components from electrostatic discharge. In electronics manufacturing, ESD protective packaging is crucial during production and assembly processes, where even a minor static charge can cause significant damage to circuit boards, microchips, and other components. By using the right packaging, manufacturers can ensure product reliability and reduce costly defects.

In the automotive industry, electronic parts used in vehicles, such as sensors and control modules, are transported in ESD rigid packaging to prevent electrostatic damage during shipping and handling. This is especially important because damaged parts could lead to malfunctions in safety-critical systems.

The aerospace and defense industries also rely heavily on ESD protective packaging to shield precision equipment from static charges. Given the high cost and technical complexity of aerospace electronics, protecting these components is vital to maintaining their functionality and reliability in harsh environments.

Industries like telecommunications and medical equipment manufacturing also benefit from ESD packaging to protect sensitive devices that must perform under strict conditions, ensuring long-term performance and safety.

Safe and Secure ESD Packaging from Kiva Container

With over 35 years of experience, Kiva Container is a leader in the ESD packaging industry. We offer custom ESD packaging, corrugated plastic fabrication, vacuum forming and thermoforming, integrated packaging, plastic pallets, and a selection of standard items. We are a woman-owned company focused on reusable and returnable packaging solutions, and we are one of few manufacturers to offer both corrugated plastic and solid sheet forming in one facility. To partner with us for your unique packaging solution, start by requesting a quote today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ESD-safe packaging?

ESD-safe packaging prevents electrostatic discharge from reaching sensitive electronic components. It works by using conductive or anti-static materials that either dissipate static charges safely or shield components from external charge fields. ESD packaging is required wherever static discharge could damage components during handling, assembly, or shipping.

What is the difference between anti-static and conductive packaging?

Anti-static packaging (surface resistance 10^9-10^11 ohms/sq) prevents static charge from building up on the package surface through handling. Conductive packaging (surface resistance below 10^4 ohms/sq) rapidly dissipates any charge and creates a Faraday cage around the packaged component, protecting against external fields. The choice depends on the sensitivity of the component and the level of protection required.

Who makes ESD-safe corrugated plastic packaging in Southern California?

Kiva Container, based in Anaheim, CA, has been manufacturing ESD-safe corrugated plastic packaging since the early 1990s. We produce conductive and anti-static corrugated plastic boxes, totes, trays, and dividers for electronics, aerospace, and medical customers.

Does Kiva Container make ESD-safe thermoformed trays?

Yes. We thermoform ESD-safe trays from conductive and anti-static materials including conductive sheet, ESD PVC, and ESD ABS. These trays are used as component carriers, wafer trays, and assembly line inserts in electronics and aerospace manufacturing.

Does Kiva Container make ESD packaging for aerospace?

Yes. Kiva Container is AS9100D / ISO 9001:2015 certified and produces ESD-safe packaging for aerospace customers, including avionics, electronics, and sensor packaging. Our quality system supports traceability and documentation requirements for aerospace ESD programs.

Can Kiva Container make ESD-safe dividers for component bins?

Yes. We fabricate ESD dividers and partition sets from conductive and anti-static corrugated plastic and thermoformed materials. These are used in assembly line bins, pick totes, and storage systems where components must be separated and protected from static charge.

What ESD standards does Kiva Container's packaging comply with?

Our ESD materials are selected to meet ANSI/ESD S20.20 and JEDEC JESD625 requirements for electrostatic sensitive device handling. Contact us with your specific ESD specification requirements and we will confirm material compliance before production.

Can Kiva Container combine ESD corrugated plastic with thermoformed inserts?

Yes. This is one of Kiva’s unique capabilities — we are the only manufacturer in the country that builds both corrugated and thermoformed packaging in-house. An ESD corrugated plastic outer container with a precision thermoformed ESD-safe insert can be designed, built, and qualified entirely within our facility.

Does Kiva Container offer ESD packaging for medical devices?

Yes. We produce ESD-safe medical packaging using acrylics and other materials appropriate for medical device handling. Our AS9100D / ISO 9001:2015 certification covers these products and supports the documentation requirements of medical device packaging programs.