Intermediate Bulk Containers
Intermediate bulk containers are DOT/UN approved containers designed for the reusable handling of hazardous, non-hazardous, and food grade bulk liquids. They are also used for some solids, granulated goods, and semi solids but are not DOT/UN labeled for these cargos. Intermediate bulk containers are known commonly as IBC tanks, IBC totes, and simply as IBCs. Certain IBC models are also ideal for blending, distilling, fermentation, and storage applications.
IBC containers ensure cargo security due to their robust design and manufacture. They safeguard internal payloads against potentially damaging external conditions such as water, air, heat, dust, and other general pollutants. Food grade products can maintain hygiene standards. Sensitive chemicals and materials can be safely transported without experiencing corrosion or degradation. Intermediate bulk containers are capable of withstanding various elements including human handling, machine handling, rain, wind, dust, and sea salt corrosion. Our product offerings include caged IBC totes, several high density polyethylene IBC tank models, and stainless steel, carbon steel metal IBCs to fulfill the many needs of the various industries we serve.
- Agriculture
- Chemicals and Solvents
- Oil and Gas
- Petrochemical
- Refineries
- Offshore Platforms
- Water Treatment
- Plastics
- Paints and Coatings
- Dyes
- Food and Beverage
- Flavors and Fragrances
- Personal Care and Cosmetics
- Construction
- Road Work/Striping
- Lubricants and Greases
- Pharmaceutical
- Landscaping
All available IBCs are manufactured utilizing modern technology and are UN/DOT approved per Title 49 CFR for land and offshore transport of Packing Group II and III materials. Carbon and stainless steel metal IBCs meet NFPA 30 section 9.4.1 (1) requirements for select flammables and combustibles. IBC design approvals include UN31HA1, UN31H1, UN31A and UN31H2. Excluding caged IBCs, most totes have UN/DOT markings permanently integrated to greatly lengthen legibility.
These regulations oversee IBC tote manufacture and use, making them safe, effective, efficient tools for bulk materials to minimize work efforts as well as employee and public hazards.
Tank materials, caps, gaskets, and valves can be manufactured to comply to Title 21 CFRs 177.1520, 177.2600, 178.3297, or 178.2010 on request.
IBC Tote Sizes, Dimensions, Prices and Types
IBC tote capacities range from 110 gallons up to 550 gallons. Prices range from $200+ to $4,500+. Dimensions are as low as 42″ x 48″ x 20″ or as high as 42″ x 48″ x 71″. Materials include polyethylene and steel. The majority of our poly IBCs are rated to 1.9 specific gravity (SG), with Excalibur totes offering a 1.35 SG option.
Plastic IBC totes are manufactured from high density virgin polyethylene (HDPE) resin that meets FDA food grade, ANSI / NSF 61 requirements for consumables and potable water. Poly totes include UV inhibitors to protect against sunlight damage. Metal IBCs are constructed from mild carbon steel or 304 stainless steel. 316L stainless steel totes are available on request.
IBC Tanks provides the following IBC types: Caged Totes, Standard Square Stackable, Premium Square Stackable, Wide Mouth Square Stackable, Ultratainer, Wide Mouth Ultratainer, Megatainer, Megatainer LX, Excalibur, Stainless Steel, and Carbon Steel Intermediate Bulk Containers.
Caged IBC’s
Stackable IBC’s
Advantages of IBC Tanks
Intermediate bulk containers possess various characteristics that contribute to their usefulness across industries and applications. IBCs provide a consistent cargo packaging that is manufactured and specified to federal regulations and current industry technology. All except caged polyethylene IBCs are designed to be extensively reused. Most IBC totes are highly reusable and have long service lives, making them very cost effective assets.
Shape, Organization, and Maneuverability
All IBCs are cube shaped and all but Megatainers are sized to or near standard pallet dimensions. This allows for more material to be transported within similar dimensions while maintaining effective and familiar mobility. IBC totes have either two way or four way forklift, pallet jack channels that allows increased maneuverability by providing multi-directional approach. All IBCs are stackable. The stackable design promotes efficient handling, storing, and transport, and allows for gravity-based product dispensing as well as other system integration applications.
Durability, Resistance, and Engineering
IBC tanks are durable and easy to fill, stack, and load. They are resilient against impact, tearing, and against easy puncturing. Polyethylene and metal IBCs resist the corrosive effects of many materials and chemicals. Metal IBCs are ideally suited for flammable, combustible materials, exposure to high temperatures, and strict hygiene and cleanliness applications. All our offered IBCs are UN/DOT approved for handling hazardous materials such as corrosives, acids, and caustics as well as approved for land and sea transport. All IBCs can withstand typical transport pressure and stress with automatic vacuum vents that self-operate when internal pressures begin to reach 0.25 PSIG. Materials can be stored and handled with limited risk and waste. IBC inflow and outflow engineering promotes zero waste from spillage or overflow.
Logistics, Handling, Time, and Money
Intermediate bulk containers provide numerous benefits to suppliers, distributors, end users, wholesalers, and transporters. They have many characteristics that make their use beneficial to company economics and logistics. IBCs are well suited for industries and companies that are dependent on the secure packaging and arrival of their product. Products can be effectively moved through long, complex supply chains and can be safely and easily warehoused. Long term storage and transport can be accomplished without neither the cargo freight nor the IBC depreciating in quality and quantity standards.
Time and money can be saved through reusing IBC containers for specific applications, potentially replacing large quantities of drums. A 330 gallon IBC tank is the equivalent of six 55 gallon drums, fits to one pallet size, and handled by one forklift. One IBC can potentially make hundreds of successful trips. These qualities contribute to reduced physical waste and disposal costs. IBCs are recyclable, reducing environmental impact at service life end.
IBC Tanks provides the greatest selection of intermediate bulk containers offered at industry competitive pricing and manufactured utilizing modern industry technology. We have a full section of IBC tote fittings and accessories available for add-on to quote requests. Contact us for your IBC tank questions, for custom fabrication options, or for any assistance you may need. Bulk pricing is available for multi-quantity orders.