IBCs by Application

IBC Totes by Use Case

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.

12+
Industries Served
110–793
Available Capacities
4
Material Types
USA
Manufactured
Applications & Industries
16 Categories

Chemical IBC Totes

Acids & BasesSolventsUN/DOT

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.

Rated to 1.9 specific gravityTitle 49 CFR / DOT UN31H2 & UN31A compliantHDPE, stainless steel, carbon steel options

Food Grade IBC Totes

FDANSF/ANSI 61Beverages

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.

FDA Title 21 CFR certifiedNSF/ANSI Standard 61 approvedHDPE and food grade stainless steel

Oil & Gas IBC Totes

PetroleumOilfield ChemicalsNFPA 30

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.

Carbon and stainless steel for flammable materialsHDPE for non-flammable oilfield chemicalsNFPA class flammable/combustible rated (metal IBCs)

Water IBC Totes

NSF/ANSI 61PotableProcess Water

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.

NSF/ANSI 61 certified for potable waterFDA certified materials135 to 330 gallon capacities

Agriculture IBC Totes

FertilizersPesticidesDEF & Water

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.

Chemical compatible HDPE constructionUN/DOT certified for regulated chems275 & 330 gal most common for farm use

Fuel IBC Totes

CombustiblesNFPAUN31A

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.

Carbon steel and stainless steel onlyNFPA flammable/combustible ratedUN31A / Title 49 CFR compliant

DEF IBC Totes

Diesel Exhaust FluidDispensing Systems

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.

Complete caddy system with pump & hoseISO 22241 DEF purity compatible12V and 120V pump configurations

Construction IBC Totes

Bulk WaterDEFConcrete Curing

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.

Several IBC models4 way forklift & pallet jack accessibleSuitable for harsh jobsite environments

Offshore IBC Totes

MarineHoistableUN31A

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.

Crane hoistable lifting lug designDurability for marine environmentsCorrosion resistant stainless and carbon steel

Paint & Coatings IBCs

Paints & InksResinsViscous Liquids

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.

Wide mouth models for viscous liquidsHDPE and stainless steel optionsBatch cleanability via wide mouth access

Waste Management IBCs

Process WasteUN/DOTHazardous

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.

UN/DOT certified for hazardous wasteContainment tank & stand systems availableHDPE, carbon steel, stainless steel options

Winery IBC Totes

FDAJuice & WineBrewing

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.

Food grade stainless steel and HDPEFDA / NSF/ANSI 61 certifiedWide mouth options for interior access

Rainwater IBC Totes

HarvestingResidentialRebottled

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.

Rebottled and black caged totes availableCommon 275 and 330 gallon sizesEasily integrates into DIY catchment systems

Aquaponics IBC Totes

Fish TanksHydroponicsDIY Builds

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).

Food safe HDPE for fish & plant contactTote allows structural modificationRebottled, reconditioned, black totes available

Liquid IBC Totes

All Liquid TypesAll Materials

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.

Full range liquid compatible IBCsAll materials: HDPE, SS, carbon steel110 to 793 gallon capacity range

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

ApplicationKey CertificationsRelevant RegulationRecommended Material
Food & BeverageFDA Title 21 CFR, NSF/ANSI 61FDA 21 CFR Part 177Food-grade HDPE, SS 304
Potable WaterNSF/ANSI Standard 61NSF/ANSI 61HDPE (NSF certified)
Hazardous ChemicalsUN/DOT, Packing Group II & IIITitle 49 CFRHDPE stackable, SS, CS
Fuel & CombustiblesUN31A, NFPA 30Title 49 CFR, NFPA 30Carbon steel, SS only
Marine / OffshoreUN31ATitle 49 CFRSS, carbon steel (hoistable)
DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid)ISO 22241ISO 22241HDPE (DEF grade, dedicated)
Agriculture (regulated inputs)UN/DOT, EPA FIFRA labelingTitle 49 CFR, 40 CFRHDPE (chemical grade)
Waste (hazardous)UN/DOT, EPA RCRA40 CFR Parts 260–270HDPE, 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.

FactorWhat to ConsiderWhy It Matters
Chemical CompatibilityCargo typeConfirm 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 VolumeAvailable 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 CertificationsIdentify 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 lifeStackable, 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 densityAll 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 & fillingIBC 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 HandlingPoly 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.
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