Liquid IBC Totes

Liquid intermediate bulk containers (IBCs, totes) are mid-capacity storage containers designed specifically for use with free flowing to viscous fluids. IBCs are engineered to handle various liquid commodities from water, chemicals, wastes, solvents and paints, to foods, beverages and their ingredients. Liquid IBC totes specialize in on-site handling, mobile applications, freight network transport, product distribution, process integration, and direct distribution for material use.

Liquid IBCs are cube-shaped cargo containers with built-in pallet-type, pallet-sized base platforms with fork movement channels. They have top located inlet ports with screw caps or clamp lids that promote loading of liquid cargos. Liquid totes have drain outlet valves for direct access to contents and making plumbing attachments for distribution. All IBCs are stackable and many feature alignment lugs or grooves to increase stacking stability and security.

Liquid tote volume capacities range from 110 gallons up to 550 gallons with 793 gallon steel models available on request. IBC costs vary by type and volume and can range from $200+ to $5000+ per tote. Liquid IBC sizes are 48″L x 42″W x 20″H up to 57″L x 49″W x 90.25″H, with a total area of 23.3 cubic feet to 145.9 cubic feet. Top inlet ports range from 6″ inches up to 22.5″ inches. Outlets are 2″ inch ball valve types with camlock quick connect options available.

Frequent Liquid IBC Uses

Liquid IBC totes are employed across a wide range of scenarios, industries, and market sectors due to their versatility, mobility and compatibility with fluid materials. They are used in manufacturing, industrial facilities, local operations, small business, commercial markets as well as residential applications within rainwater harvesting and aquaponics.

Liquid IBCs are used for all types of water handling, from potable, process, to wastewater. They are used in the energy sector for oil and gas scenarios that involve basic resources, refining and distribution of products and byproducts such as petroleum, naptha, distillates, and mineral oils.

Liquid totes are used in the handling, production, and delivery of various chemicals, acids, solvents, bases, and intermediates. Common chemicals used in IBCs include hydrochloric acid, HCl, sodium hydroxide NaOH, acetone, sulfuric acid, H2SO4, and hydrogen peroxide. For companies in the pharmaceutical or food and beverage industries, liquid IBCs are used to store, produce batches, mix and deliver ingredients, raw materials, and final products such as medicines, vitamins, syrups, oils, wines and spirits. Liquid IBCs are also used in physical type work operations to hold and transport the materials often needed for construction, road work, painting, washing and spraying applications, including DEF for equipment.

Liquid IBC Tote Advantages & Benefits

Liquid IBC engineering contributes to an increase in the overall effectiveness and efficiency of company fluid handling applications. They are designed to improve on the problems frequently experienced by many other common liquid handling containers. Examples of such problems can include containers that are hard to handle, especially when full; unsafe or unstable in transit; difficult to organize; difficult to stack or cannot be; work intensive to load on pallets or into trucks, and/or are generally hard to fill and distribute product.

Advantages and benefits provided by the liquid IBC tote design:

Engineering | Designed from top to bottom for greater mobility, handling and application effectiveness across scenarios and uses.
Capacity | Volumes larger than other common containers, (e.g. drums, jugs, cans, bags) allow for more cargo in IBCs and in less overall space.
Durability | High density polyethylene (HDPE), carbon steel, or stainless steel provide significant durability against impacts, drops, punctures, and tears.
Mobility | Balanced weight and an integrated pallet base improves and simplifies container movement.
Modularity | A consistent, cubical shape provides tight, secure placement for container stacking and increased organization in vehicles, warehouses, and application systems.
Compatibility | Top grade construction materials and components offer extensive product compatibility for chemical and environmental exposures.
Integration | Inlet, outlet plumbing and modularity make IBCs capable of direct integration and gravity feed use in application processes.
Reusable / Cleanable | Durable engineering and construction materials promote repeat use, cleaning ability, resulting in extended service life and lower overhead.

Liquid IBC Tote Product Types

Liquid IBC containers come in four (4) distinct types based on their fabrication material and engineering design. The four types are: composite, rigid plastic, carbon steel, and stainless steel. All liquid totes are approved for transit and permitted via UN / DOT label requirements. Totes are manufactured according to Title 49 CFR. Food grade totes also meet Title 21 CFR standards for materials in contact with consumables. Carbon and stainless steel IBCs can be used for NFPA for Class I, II and III flammable, combustible materials. Composite and all poly IBCs can be used for Class II to Class III materials.

Composite IBCs

Composite type liquid IBCs are also known as caged IBC totes and are the most common IBC type. Caged totes are blow molded HDPE containers within a galvanized steel frame. The HDPE used is FDA food grade virgin polyethylene and totes are ANSI / NSF Standard 61 approved for drinkable, potable water.

Caged IBCs come in 275 and 330 gallon capacities with 6″ vented screw caps, 2″ outlet ball valves, and 4-way forklift channels. Models include new, rebottled and reconditioned. Only new and rebottled IBCs are approved for food contact and potable water. Composite reconditioned totes are the lowest cost IBC model and feature a previously used cage and container that are approved for reuse.

Rigid Poly IBCs

Rigid plastic liquid IBCs are 100% manufactured from HDPE (high density polyethylene). They do not feature any metal parts or components. The polyethylene used is food grade and the totes are ANSI/NSF Standard 61 certified. Rigid poly IBCs are rotational mold manufactured up to 1/2″ thick tank sidewalls with specific gravity ratings for 1.35 SG to 1.9 SG liquids where most are 1.9 SG. Rigid plastic IBCs come in capacity from 120 gallons up to 550 gallons. Inlet cap sizes vary on model and are either 6″, 6.5″, 7″, 18″, 20″, and 22.5″.

Rigid Plastic IBC Types:

Standard Stackable | Our basic, all plastic IBC tote is well rounded in design, cost, and engineering. They are available in 120, 220, 275 and 330 gallons and feature 6″ vented screw caps, stacking grooves and 4 way forklift channels.
Premium Stackable | An upgrade of the standard stackable model with a premium base and wide mouth manway option upgrades lid from 6″ to 18″. IBC comes in 120, 220, 275 and 330 gallon capacities with 4 way forklift channels and stacking grooves.
Ultratainer | The industry’s most reliable, versatile, and resilient IBC built with a strength-imparting cylindrical tank within a cubical HPDE frame. Ultratainer IBCs are available in 220 gallons, 275 gallons, and 330 gallons with 4 way forklift channels, retractable lifting lugs (optional) and stacking alignment grooves.
Wide Mouth Ultratainer | Same design benefits of the Ultratainer model but with a large diameter lid for increased inner container access to serve cleaning and product interactions such as mixing. Lid width increases from 6″ to 22″ with a 20″ manway. Also with 4 way forklift channels, retracting lifting lugs and alignment grooves for stacking.
Excalibur| Snyder Industries’ competitive alternative to the common composite caged IBC offers increased durability, reusability, and service life with an improved engineering design yet maintains costs below other poly IBCs. Excaliburs come in 120 gallon, 250 gallon and 330 gallon volumes with 6″ screw lids or a 6.5″ GEM cap options. They are 4 way forklift compatible and feature stacking grooves.
Megatainer | The industry’s largest all poly IBC: the Megatainer. Megatainer IBCs are 550 gallon totes with a rectangular design to reduce their vertical profile and increase head access. Internal baffles, 6.5” heavy duty vent cap, 4 way forklift channels and lifting lugs promote Megatainer mobility and use.

Carbon Steel IBCs

Carbon steel liquid IBC totes are manufactured from 10 gauge steel with an electropolish finish. They come with a 2” stainless steel ball valve, 22.5″ bolted and gasketed manway, 3 way forklift channels in capacities from 110 up to 450 gallon. Metal IBCs feature combination lifting lugs that double for hoist movement and stacking support.

Stainless Steel IBCs

Stainless Steel Liquid IBC Totes Stainless steel liquid IBCs are made from 304 stainless steel with an electropolish finish. 316L grade stainless steel IBCs are available on request. The top performance liquid IBC model, stainless steel totes feature a 2″ stainless steel ball valve, 22.5″ bolted, gasketed manway, and 3 way forklift channels. Capacities range from 110 up to 550 gallon with 793 gallon Supertainers available on request. Stainless steel totes have integrated combination lifting lugs for vertical lift and stacking alignment.

IBC Tanks | The IBC Tote Authority

IBC Tanks is a leading U.S. authority and source on liquid tote products and information. Backed by North America’s top container manufacturer Snyder, Inc., IBC Tanks specializes in IBCs to provide the industry’s best products, resources, and prices. We offer the option for custom fabricated IBCs by color, logo, design, and fitting types.

For frequent questions and answers on IBCs, visit our FAQ Page or our IBC Tote Resource Center for all our IBC articles, charts, and more.

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