
Application of VCI Paper in Rust Prevention of Auto Parts
2025-09-11 11:03In the global automotive manufacturing industry chain, the quality and reliability of components are directly related to the safety and service life of the entire vehicle. However, steel, cast iron, and alloy components are extremely susceptible to environmental factors such as moisture and salt spray during production, storage, and transportation, which can cause corrosion. According to NACE International, direct economic losses due to corrosion worldwide amount to $2.5 trillion annually, accounting for more than 3% of global GDP, with the automotive industry being one of the most severely affected. How to effectively prevent rust on components before delivery has become a key issue for automakers and supply chain management. As an environmentally friendly and efficient protective material, VCI packaging paper is gradually becoming the mainstream choice.
What is VCI paper?
VCI packaging paper is a packaging material made by adding a vapor-phase corrosion inhibitor to the paper base. When auto parts are packaged in VCI packaging paper, anti-rust molecules are released from within the paper, adsorbing onto the metal surface to form a molecular-level protective film, blocking moisture, oxygen, and corrosive ions. Compared to traditional rust preventative oils, VCI packaging paper requires no application or cleaning, making it more convenient to use and environmentally friendly. CVCI's VCI packaging paper meets the highest standards in the industry, with ISO9001 quality system certification and compliance with SGS, RoHS, and REACH environmental standards.
Many people believe that VCI packaging paper is only suitable for short-term protection, but this is a common misconception. In fact, properly packaged VCI packaging paper can provide up to 12-24 months of rust protection, fully meeting the storage and long-distance transportation needs of auto parts.


VCI packaging paper can be categorized according to different usage requirements:
Single-layer anti-rust paper: Commonly used for small parts or short-distance transportation.
Compound anti-rust paper: Surface-coated with a PE film for enhanced moisture resistance, suitable for sea transportation.
Anti-static VCI packaging paper: For electronic components and static-sensitive automotive parts.
CVCI can produce a full range of VCI packaging paper products to meet diverse customer needs, suitable for various industry applications. All products are certified for quality, ensuring your peace of mind.



Are there other rust prevention methods?
Besides VCI packaging paper, there are many different rust prevention methods, such as anti-rust oil, anti-rust bags, and anti-rust films. Can these be used to prevent rust on automotive parts? What are the specific usage instructions?
Protection Methods | Duration of protection | Ease of use | Environmental performance | Cost | Applications |
Traditional Anti-Rust Oil | 6-12 months | Apply/clean | Poor | Medium | Various metal parts |
Ordinary PE Bag | 1-3 months | Convenient | Average | Low | Short-term transportation |
VCI Paper | 12-24 months | Simple packaging | Good | Medium | Automotive parts, precision parts |
How does VCI packaging paper protect auto parts at various stages of production?
Manufacturing: We recommend packaging auto parts with clean type VCI paper immediately after they leave the production line to prevent rust during storage.
Storage: In humid areas, using clean type VCI paper can significantly reduce inventory scrap. A Southeast Asian parts supplier we previously worked with saw their rust rate drop from 5% to 0.5% after using our clean type VCI paper, saving nearly $200,000 in rework costs.
Transportation: Salt spray corrosion is particularly severe during international shipping. A domestic auto parts exporter switched from traditional rust preventative oil to our compound clean type VCI paper, saving not only cleaning costs but also returns due to corrosion.
Market Trends and Sustainable Development
As the automotive industry accelerates its transition to green manufacturing, environmentally friendly packaging materials are increasingly demanding. Clean type VCI paper is recyclable and biodegradable, meeting the requirements of European and American markets for environmental standards such as RoHS and REACH. All clean type VCI paper produced by CVCI is ISO9001 certified and complies with SGS, RoHS, and REACH environmental standards. We actively adhere to the highest standards in the industry and welcome inquiries from buyers from all industries.
According to research by the World Steel Association, by 2030, over 70% of manufacturers in the global automotive industry will adopt environmentally friendly protective packaging materials. ASTM and ISO are also continuously updating relevant standards to further standardize the use of clean type VCI paper in the international market. CVCI is always at the forefront of industry standards. We understand industry trends and consistently produce our clean type VCI paper to the highest standards, exceeding both national and international standards.
What precautions should I take when using VCI paper?
Before wrapping with VCI paper, ensure the surface of the part is clean and dry.
When using VCI paper, keep it tightly sealed to prevent air flow and the loss of the corrosion inhibitor.
The recommended storage environment is a temperature of 15-30°C and a humidity below 50%.
Do not store with acidic or strongly alkaline materials to prevent the rust prevention effect.
For parts that will be stored for a long time, use VCI paper with a desiccant to improve overall protection.
Our company's VCI anti-rust paper is widely used in automotive parts packaging both domestically and internationally. We are ISO9001 certified and comply with SGS, RoHS, and REACH environmental standards.
Technical Advantages: Our vapor phase corrosion inhibitor formula is stable, providing protection for up to 24 months.
Production Advantages: Our annual production capacity exceeds 5,000 tons, enabling us to meet large-volume orders.
Conclusion:
Due to its environmental friendliness, convenience, and long-lasting protection, clean type VCI paper has become an ideal choice for rust prevention of automotive parts. For companies pursuing efficient supply chain management and green production, adopting clean type VCI paper not only reduces costs but also improves overall product quality and customer satisfaction. For environmentally friendly and long-lasting clean type VCI paper, choose CVCI. Our commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability makes us the ideal partner for your next project.
Contact us:
Whether you need anti-rust paper, anti-rust oil, or anti-rust film, our team of experts is ready to provide customized solutions that exceed your expectations. Contact us at cvci-gaoxiu@chinavci.com to learn how we can protect your metal parts from rust using advanced VCI rust prevention methods!
Automotive parts manufacturers and suppliers are welcome to contact us for VCI anti-rust paper samples and customized solutions to jointly promote green and sustainable development in the industry.
References:
NACE International, “Economic Impact of Corrosion”
Cortec VpCI® technical paper, describing the environmental safety and applications of vapor corrosion inhibitors (VCI).
ISO 12944:2018 — Paints and varnishes — Corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems.
Worldsteel Sustainability Indicators 2023 Report.
European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), Environmental Report 2022.