synergy between component parts of desiccants is disclosed that teaches how to augment performance of desiccants in the reduction of humidity . single component desiccants lack the synergistic effect . the problem of single component deficiency is solved by the disclosed methods that generally engage the synergy between humidity attracting substances and polymeric substances . synergy is observed in the improved desiccation being greater than the sum of the desiccating effects of the component parts . resultant products are dual purpose in that they can be used both as desiccants and component parts of packaging materials .