Format
Rigid IBCs
An intermediate bulk container holds about five drums of liquid on one pallet footprint. The choice is mostly about the inner bottle material, how many trips it will make, and who inspects it between trips.
Main types
| 31HA1 | Composite IBC (plastic bottle in steel cage) | Most common format for liquid chemicals and food ingredients. |
|---|---|---|
| 31A | Steel IBC | Used for solvents and flammable liquids; long service life, heavy tare. |
| 31N | Stainless or other metal IBC | Closed-loop fleets, high-purity and cleanable service. |
What to decide
- New, reconditioned (cleaned and tested) or rebottled (new inner bottle in a reused cage).
- Product compatibility with HDPE versus steel, including permeation and static risk.
- Valve type and size, and how much product stays behind when the IBC is drained.
- Return logistics: a rigid IBC ships back as full volume.
Inspection and handling
- UN-marked IBCs for dangerous goods carry periodic inspection and leakproofness test dates; check the plate before every filling.
- Plastic inner bottles have a limited permitted service life for dangerous goods; confirm the rule that applies to you.
Rules to watch
- Reuse targets for transport packaging under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
- Recycled-content rules for plastic packaging and food-contact approval of recycled resin.
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.