Format
Industrial drums
Drums remain the most widely used rigid format for chemicals, coatings and food ingredients. Material, head type and liner decide compatibility; nesting and return decide freight cost.
Main types
| 1A1 / 1A2 | Steel, tight-head / open-head | Liquids through bungs, or viscous and solid product through a removable lid. |
|---|---|---|
| 1H1 / 1H2 | Plastic, tight-head / open-head | Corrosive products such as acids; lighter tare than steel. |
| 1G | Fibre drum | Dry powders and solids; low tare, often with a liner. |
What to decide
- Tight-head for pourable liquids, open-head for pastes, powders and scraping.
- Lining or coating for product purity and corrosion.
- Straight-wall versus nesting conical drums when empty freight matters.
Inspection and handling
- Read the UN mark: it states the packing group, density or mass limit, test pressure and year.
- Reconditioned drums need cleaning and testing before refilling with dangerous goods.
Rules to watch
- Recycled-content and recyclability rules for plastic drums.
Rules last verified:
Tools and guides
All formats
Educational reference only. Not engineering or regulatory advice — confirm the rules that apply to your product and route.