Cortech, a US company has developed a packaging film with a newly patented vapour corrosion inhibitor system that protects metal components for 15 years of storage before their use. The industry standard allowed for up to 3 years before protection weakened and required repackaging. Cortec's new standards set long term protection in 7, 10 and 15 year timeframes depending on the service life requirements desired for a metal component.

The packaging is effective for multi-metal components employing both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Utilizing clean protection technology, parts are ready for immediate use without any cleaning or degreasing. The parts are packaged dry without the need of RP fluids allowing the end-user or assembly plant to open the package and the component is ready for installation. The packaging uses Cortec® Advanced Green Technology for environmentally friendly materials. Where practical they incorporate the ability to be recyclable or degradable. The packaging is available to accommodate a variety of size requirements from small components to engines up to entire machines.

Cortec's breakthrough in long term protection of metal components allows a new set of economics for “Build Ahead Programs” in automotive after-market and parts service for the model year of a vehicle. The economic factor can be as high as a 1 to 25 ratio. For example, a part manufactured today at a cost of US$2 can cost as much as US$58 fifteen years later, especially when a manufacturing line needs to be re-tooled & die set up changes to produce the part. With Cortec's 15-Year Protective Packaging, the anticipated aftermarket requirements for the life of an automotive model can all be produced while manufacturing lines are currently running providing substantial cost savings.