Find IBC Totes
by Industry & Application
Intermediate bulk containers—also known as IBC tanks, IBC totes, and pallet tanks—are available in HDPE, stainless steel, and carbon steel models from 110 to 793 gallons. The right container depends on what you're storing and moving. Select your application below to find IBC models engineered and built for your specific job.
How to Choose
Match Your Application to the Right IBC Material
HDPE Poly & Caged IBC Totes
The cross industry default. High density polyethylene construction handles water, food grade liquids, general chemicals, agriculture, and aquaponics. The 275 and 330 gallon caged tote is the most commonly used IBC size across all industries. UN/DOT certified models available for hazardous cargo.
Stainless Steel IBC Totes
Required for high purity, high temperature chemical and food applications that need cleanability and zero contamination risk. Meets FDA Title 21 CFR, NSF/ANSI 61, and DOT UN31A requirements. Available 110 to 793 gallons. Recommended for NFPA class flammable and combustible liquids.
Carbon Steel IBC Totes
Main applications include oils, lubricants, fuels, and solvents in chemical, petroleum, and offshore environments. Painted carbon steel alloy. Does not carry UN31A approval at this time. Recommended for NFPA class flammable and combustible liquids. Available 110 to 550 gallons.
Chemical IBC Totes
IBC models engineered for use with modern chemicals and material solutions—from acids to bases, organic to inorganic solvents. Includes stainless and carbon steel, full HDPE totes, Ultratainer, and Megatainer models rated to 1.9 SG. Most carry DOT/UN certifications for Packing Group II and III hazardous materials.
Food Grade IBC Totes
FDA approved, ANSI and NSF certified IBC containers for safe and effective handling of materials and ingredients intended for consumption. Covers food manufacturing, beverage production, syrups, condiments, and edible oils. Both HDPE and food grade stainless steel models available from 110 to 550 gallon capacities.
Oil & Gas IBC Totes
IBC tanks for the transport, handling, and refining of resources and commodities common to the oil and gas industry. Carbon and stainless steel metal IBCs for petrochemicals, lubricants, crude byproducts, and flammable oilfield materials. Caged and rigid poly IBCs for non-flammable oilfield applications, drilling fluid additives, and chemical injection products.
Water IBC Totes
IBC tote containers with ANSI/NSF Standard 61 approval for potable water and FDA certified materials for water handling, storage, and transport. Suitable for municipal water distribution, emergency water supply, industrial process water, agricultural irrigation, and DIY applications. Available in caged: new, rebottled, reconditioned, and black.
Agriculture IBC Totes
IBC totes for agricultural applications including fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, water, and DEF storage, transport, and supply. Poly caged totes and full HDPE IBCs are the standard for farm use—chemical resistant, reusable, and compatible with common agricultural solutions. UN/DOT certified options available for regulated ag chemicals.
Fuel IBC Totes
Metal alloy IBC tank containers for jobs that need to handle, transport, or distribute fuel type materials and combustibles. Carbon steel and stainless steel IBCs are recommended for NFPA class flammable and combustible liquids. Suitable for diesel, biodiesel, hydraulic fluid, and similar fuel products. SS IBCs meet Title 49 CFR and UN31A design approval.
DEF IBC Totes
IBC tote caddy systems with motorized pump and hose for full DEF dispensing and transport for diesel powered fleets and equipment. DEF IBC systems are built to ISO 22241 standard for diesel exhaust fluid purity in dedicated, contaminant free containers. Available in 135, 275, 300, and 330 gallon complete caddy configurations.
Construction IBC Totes
IBC containers for construction site water supply, concrete curing water, dust suppression, chemical washdown, and bulk storage of construction liquids. Rugged caged totes, metal IBCs, DEF totes, and wide mouth IBCs—stackable, forklift accessible, and strong against jobsite demands. Also used for concrete additives and specialty sealers.
Offshore IBC Totes
Heavy duty metal IBC tanks made for the harsh working conditions, commodities, and materials associated with offshore platforms. Stainless and carbon steel IBCs feature ¼″ combination lifting lugs for offshore and domestic hoisting applications. Built to endure corrosive marine environments.
Paint & Coatings IBCs
IBC containers for bulk storage and transport of paints, varnishes, inks, resins, and industrial coatings. Wide mouth IBC models have 18″ and 20″ manway openings to provide the interior access needed for cleaning between batches, mixing, and handling thick, viscous materials. HDPE for water based formulations; stainless steel for solvent based coatings, lacquers, and epoxy systems.
Waste Management IBCs
IBC containers for industrial liquid wastes, hazardous wastes, and byproduct storage prior to processing or disposal. UN/DOT certified HDPE and metal IBCs provide compliant, reusable containment for manufacturing, chemical processing, and facility maintenance waste streams. Containment pallet systems available for secondary containment.
Winery IBC Totes
FDA approved, food grade certified IBC totes for winery operations, juice transport, bulk wine storage, and brewing ingredient handling. Food grade stainless steel and NSF certified HDPE models to match purity and cleanability requirements of beverage contact. Wide mouth models improve access for cleaning and inspection batches.
Rainwater IBC Totes
Cost effective, rebottled IBC totes for collecting, storing, and dispensing rainwater from DIY rainwater harvesting systems. Rebottled caged totes are the most popular choice for rain catchment as they are clean, durable, and lower cost than fully new IBCs. Primarily used in residential and small agricultural rain harvesting setups.
Aquaponics IBC Totes
Used IBC totes, rebottled and reconditioned, for customization and use in aquaponics for plants, rainwater collection, fish tanks, filters, and sump tanks. The tote's modular structure makes it a favorite for DIY aquaponics as it can be cut and modified, while remaining strong. Food safe HDPE safe for fish and plant contact, (rebottled only).
Liquid IBC Totes
Full collection of intermediate bulk containers built for the control, integration, and handling of liquid materials throughout liquid based applications. This selection includes every available IBC material type and model to help professionals who handle various liquid cargo find the most compatible, best matched IBC selection across HDPE, stainless, and carbon steel containers.
Need Help Selecting the Right IBC?
IBC Tanks is your IBC tote authority and source for today’s intermediate bulk containers made in the USA by the nation’s top manufacturers. Reach out for assistance, bulk order pricing, or application specific questions.
Certifications & Compliance by Application
Regulatory Reference
| Application | Key Certifications | Relevant Regulation | Recommended Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & Beverage | FDA Title 21 CFR, NSF/ANSI 61 | FDA 21 CFR Part 177 | Food-grade HDPE, SS 304 |
| Potable Water | NSF/ANSI Standard 61 | NSF/ANSI 61 | HDPE (NSF certified) |
| Hazardous Chemicals | UN/DOT, Packing Group II & III | Title 49 CFR | HDPE stackable, SS, CS |
| Fuel & Combustibles | UN31A, NFPA 30 | Title 49 CFR, NFPA 30 | Carbon steel, SS only |
| Marine / Offshore | UN31A | Title 49 CFR | SS, carbon steel (hoistable) |
| DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) | ISO 22241 | ISO 22241 | HDPE (DEF grade, dedicated) |
| Agriculture (regulated inputs) | UN/DOT, EPA FIFRA labeling | Title 49 CFR, 40 CFR | HDPE (chemical grade) |
| Waste (hazardous) | UN/DOT, EPA RCRA | 40 CFR Parts 260–270 | HDPE, SS, CS |
IBC Selection Factors by Application
Buyer Reference
Picking the right IBC comes down to more than just industry but the specifics of the application. These are the factors that actually determine which tote fits your job.
| Factor | What to Consider | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical CompatibilityCargo type | Confirm the IBC material is chemically compatible with your cargo—especially acids, bases, solvents, and oxidizers. | Incompatibility leads to container degradation, contamination, or failure. HDPE handles most water-based chemicals; CS for petroleum fuels; SS for corrosive solvents and high-purity applications. |
| Capacity Needed Volume | Available from 110 to 793 gallons. The 275 and 330 gallon totes are the most commonly used sizes across all industries. | Correctly sizing your IBC minimizes dead stock, excess weight, and handling inefficiencies. Browse all sizes on our Capacity page. |
| Regulatory Compliance Certifications | Identify which certifications your application requires: UN/DOT, FDA, NSF/ANSI 61, NFPA 30. These vary by industry and cargo. | Transporting hazardous materials without proper UN/DOT certification is a federal violation. Food and pharma applications require documented material compliance. |
| Reusability Service life | Stackable, Ultratainer, Megatainer, stainless, and carbon steel IBCs offer significantly longer service lives than standard caged totes. | Long term reusable IBCs lower total cost of ownership for recurring applications. Caged totes are more cost effective for single-use or infrequent needs. |
| Specific Gravity Rating Liquid density | All HDPE IBCs—caged and rigid—are rated to 1.9 SG. Metal IBCs carry no equivalent SG restriction and are selected based on chemical compatibility and flammability requirements instead. | Using an IBC rated below your liquid's actual specific gravity risks structural failure under load. Verify your material's density before purchasing if handling dense liquids such as acids, brines, or heavy chemical solutions. |
| Lid Opening Size Access & filling | IBC lids range from 6″ to 22.5″. Wide mouth models (18″–22.5″) are ideal for viscous materials, solids, and applications with intensive cleaning access or mixing needs. | Narrow lids restrict access for cleaning and inspection. Paint, coatings, food ingredients, and pharmaceutical applications often require wide mouth IBCs. |
| Forklift Access Handling | Poly and composite IBCs have 4 way forklift entry. Metal IBCs (carbon steel and stainless steel) have 3 way forklift channels. All models support pallet jack access. | Confirm your facility's forklift channel dimensions match the IBC base. Metal IBCs also feature combination lifting lugs for crane hoisting in offshore and elevated applications. |
