Intermediate bulk container
An Intermediate bulk container (IBC) is a container used for transport and storage of fluids and bulk materials. The construction of the IBC container and the materials used are chosen depending on the application, i.e. there are various types available in the market:
Shape & Dimensions
There are many advantages of the IBC concept:
- They are generally cubic in form and therefore can transport more material in the same area than cylindrically shaped containers and far more than might be shipped in the same space if packaged in consumer quantities.
- They rely on plastic liners that can be filled and discharged with a variety of systems.
- The manufacturer/processor of a product can bulk package a product in one country and ship to many other countries at a reasonably low cost where it is subsequently packaged in final consumer form in accordance with the regulations of that country and in a form and language suitable for that country.
IBCs range in size but are generally between 700 and 2,000 mm (27.6 and 78.7 in) or 46 to 52 in (1,168 to 1,321 mm) in height. The length and width of an IBC is usually dependent on the pallet dimension standard of a given country.[1]
IBCs may have pallet-like bases so that forklifts can move them.
It is common for IBCs to be able to fold down into a compact profile, reducing their height for transportation and storage when empty. IBCs in almost all cases can be stacked vertically.
Depending on the size of the IBC, it can weigh between 90 and 1,200 kg (198 and 2,646 lb).
History
Uses
IBCs may ship and store:
- Bulk chemicals including hazardous materials or dangerous goods if the IBC is proven suitable
- Components
- Powder
- Some liquid food products, such as sugar
- soap, glue, ...
- Some foods
Off-load
Acquisition
Intermediate bulk containers may be purchased or leased. Bar code and RFID tracking systems are available with associated software.
Fire Hazards
Plastic IBCs containing combustible or flammable liquids and release their entire contents when exposed to a fire, increasing the fire hazard by the addition of the combustible fuel. [2]
See also
Further reading
- Yam, K. L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009, ISBN 9780470087046
References
- ^ Pallet Dimensions
- ^ http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=260&URL=Research/Fire%20Protection%20Research%20Foundation/Reports%20and%20proceedings NFPA Fire Protection Research Foundation, Assessment of Hazards of Flammable and Combustible Liquids in Composite IBC’s in Operations Scenarios
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