Main brands of IBC tanks (2023)

In the world of industrial packagingIntermediate bulk containers(commonly known as IBC) are the foundation. These rectangular, pallet-mounted containers have become one of the most popular packaging options for companies in a wide variety of industries.

Since Olivier J. L. D'Hollander patented the first IBC in 1993,many industrial packaging companies have created their own versions of his design, IIBCquickly became one of the most popular industrial storage containers.

While many companies manufacture and sell IBCs, there are currently five companies as followsdominate the global market for intermediate bulk containers:

• Greif, Inc.
• Schutz
• sensitive
• Mauser
• Alberta Schoellera

All of these brands produce high-quality IBC tanks to meet the needs of many different industries, and while their products are somewhat similar, each company stands out as a major player in the global IBC market.

Greif, Inc.

Greif, Inc. is one ofthe oldest existing IBC producers. Although the company did not release its first line of IBC products until the 1990s, Greif has been a key player in the world of industrial packaging since its founding in 1877.

Greif started out as a small cooperage company in Cleveland, Ohio, but the company grew rapidly after discovering a way to make barrels strong enough to carry heavy railroad spikes across the country. Over the years, Greif moved away from the production of kegs to modern industrial packaging, but the company remained focused on the quality of the product that supported its initial success.

Today, Greif is one of the largest IBC manufacturers in the world and currently has a presence in over 40 major markets in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Along with its IBC line, Greif also produces other industrial packaging as well as related products such as adhesives and liners.

Greif IBC products

Greif, Inc., produces a varietyIBC tanksand Flexible IBC (FIBC) along with several optional services that enhance the Greif IBC customer experience.

The basic line of rigid IBCs from Greif is called GCUBE. The basic GCUBE consists of three parts - a pallet base, a polyethylene tank and a protective cage. Buyers can customize GCUBE's various features, such as tank color and valves, and can choose from three palette types - wood, plastic, and hybrid. Most industries prefer wooden or hybrid pallets, but food manufacturers often choose plastic.

In addition to the basic GCUBE model, Greif also produces three specialized IBCs for use in specific industries. For example, the GCUBE Shield has a multi-layer construction to prevent leaks and gas leaks, while the GCUBE Elektron is anti-static and designed to handle flammable products such as oil or gasoline. Similarly, GCUBE Food is specially manufactured to meet stringent food safety standards.

In addition to rigid IBC tanks, Greif also manufactures many FIBCs. The GCUBE Flex is a hybrid IBC that uses a pallet base and a protective cage with a flexible interior and is designed to keep its contents free of contamination. Greif also sells standard FIBCs or "Big Bags" which are made of a polyethylene weave to hold a variety of solid goods.

Finally, Greif sets itself apart from other IBC manufacturers with its intense focus on sustainability. In addition to selling re-bottled and refurbished containers, Greif offers two sustainability services - Green Tool and EarthMinded Life Cycle Services. The green tool allows companies to gain insight into their overall environmental impact and generate compliance reports for various government agencies. On the other hand, EarthMinded is Greif's in-house IBC recycling service that enables companies to reuse and dispose of containers carefully.

Schutz

Like Greif, Schutz is a major IBC manufacturer focused on making industrial containers that are environmentally friendly.

Founded in 1958, this German company has rapidly grown into a large global industrial packaging company with a presence in major markets in Asia, Europe and North America. The company has been successful thanks to its focus on product performance and quality.

Today, Schutz boasts a huge selection of IBCs and other containers for a variety of industries and customers.

Schutz IBC products

The most impressive aspectSchutz IBC product rangeis its variation.Schutz designs its IBCs for use in many industries, including:

• Chemical production (especially hazardous chemicals);
• petrochemia;
• food production;
• Health and Personal Care;
• Agriculture; AND
• Electronic production.

In this way, Schutz offers a wide range of IBC products that must meet specific standards for each industry, including UN and national standards, and the company enables its buyers to easily design tanks that exactly match their needs.

The company's IBC tanks are also highly customizable and available in multiple sizes. Currently, Schutz offers tanks with a capacity of 640 liters, 820 liters, 1000 liters and 1250 liters. In general, smaller tanks should be used for heavier or more volatile substances, while larger tanks can be used for lighter, more stable products.

Schutz also provides buyers with four pallet options:

• Wood;
• wood/plastic composite;
• Stal; I
• Plastic.

Most Schutz IBCs come with either wood or composite pallets as these are the most popular options. Plastic pallets are typically used for food-grade IBCs, while steel pallets are only used for heavy loads as they are the most expensive options.

While Schutz allows buyers to design all aspects of their IBCs, the company also sells industry-specific feature sets. The most frequently purchased industrial IBCs are IBCs approved for contact with food. These containers have been designed and manufactured with food manufacturers in mind and meet stringent food safety standards imposed by national and international agencies.

Similarly, Schutz offers UV-resistant IBCs for outdoor use, and for customers in the petroleum or automotive industries, Schutz offers Ex-zone IBCs that are static and flame resistant.

Schutz IBCs also offer some of the most creative and cutting-edge customization options in the industry. They include:

• EVOH permeation barrier: This tank treatment isolates sensitive or aromatic goods from external interference and is most popular with chemical and perfume manufacturers.
• Steel plate jacket:Buyers can upgrade their IBC's protective cage to a sheet steel shell to provide more protection to their container.
• Fixed positioning: Some manufacturers or manufacturers - especially in agriculture - may want to install an IBC for permanent use. For this purpose, Schutz offers specialized IBC containers.
• Integrated rotor system: Some mixes tend to settle to the bottom of the IBC during storage or transport, and mixing a massive IBC is a difficult task. To solve this problem, Schutz offers an integrated impeller system that continuously mixes the contents of the IBC.

Finally, in all its product lines, Schutz promotes remanufactured IBCs as an alternative to new ones. All refurbished Schutz IBCs are rigorously inspected and meet all relevant industry standards.

Mauser

Since its founding in 1896, Mauser has been at the forefront of industrial packaging technology.

The company first became successful when it became one of the first manufacturers of steel barrels in 1902, when founder Alfons Mauser was looking for a solution to awkward wooden and glass containers. From there, Mauser and his successors continually searched for better ways to pack, store and transport industrial goods.

Today, Mauser remainsworld leader in the industrial packaging industrywith over 100 offices and facilities worldwide.

Mauser IBC products

Mauser IBC productsthey cover a wide range of industries and the company also offers several services to enhance the customer experience of their products.

Like its competitors, most Mauser IBCs have a simple three-piece design, and the company offers custom features for customers in specific industries. Here are some examples of the industries Mauser serves and the custom features offered by their IBCs:

• Medical: sealed tanks, waste storage systems and SHARPSGUARD (puncture protection for transporting medical instruments).
• Chemical: insulated tanks, antistatic treatment, flame retardants and tamper proof.
• Food:certification of sanitary construction and food safety.
• Pharmaceutical: storage under aseptic conditions.

Mauser also offers remanufactured and composite IBCs which are tubular and do not have the protective cage found on standard IBCs.

In addition to its line of IBC products, Mauser offers a range of IBC related services to its customers to improve the utilization of their IBC tanks. First, Mauser offers all manufacturers a collection and recycling program for used IBCs. This program allows Mauser to collect used IBCs and then repair, renovate or recycle them as needed.

Mauser also offers a fleet management service for companies that want to outsource the storage and/or shipping of their IBCs. With this service, companies can more easily track and manage their container shipments, allowing them to reduce incidents and overall costs.

Finally, Mauser also allows customers to create custom service packages for their containers. This may include regular container pick-ups, repair plans and partial fleet management.

sensitive

Werit is another European company specializing in the production of high-quality IBC tanks.

The company first appeared in 1949 when Helmhold Schneider bought a small processing company in Germany. Schneider's perseverance and ingenuity helped the company succeed, and by the 1990sWerit was a leader in the world of IBC manufacturing.

Today, Schneider and his two sons continue to lead the world of industrial packaging, and Werit remains one of the top international IBC brands.

Werit IBC products

Like Schutz, Werit offers an impressive variety of IBCs. The most popular companiesIBC tank product linesIf:

• EKO line;
• top line;
• Blue Line;
• POLYex;
• NOURISHING;
• PROTEC line; AND
• Linia COMPACT.

Werit's ECOline is the most popular of the IBC tanks. These simple IBCs include a pallet base, a plastic tank and a protective cage. The simple design of the ECOline makes it Werit's least expensive line of IBC tanks, but these types of tanks can only be used with safe and non-edible liquids.

TOPline is an improved version of ECOline, specially designed for the handling of hazardous materials. While both lines use the same components, TOPline tanks are reinforced to prevent leaks and gas permeation, and some TOPline models include a steel bed.

BLUEline is another IBC set that works well with hazardous materials. In addition to basic safety features such as tightness, BLUEline IBCs can be equipped with the CDS draw system, which uses a valve with integrated aeration and venting to precisely dispense the contents of the IBC.

Similarly, Werit's POLYex line has been developed for use with flammable materials. These containers have antistatic and flame retardant coatings and are rated for use in HX environments.

As the name suggests, NUTRiline includes IBCs made with food safety requirements in mind. They are produced in a "clean" environment and even meet kosher and halal food standards. These containers are also inspected by government authorities to ensure compliance with all consumables regulations.

For UV-sensitive materials, PROTECline provides excellent protection against harmful solar radiation. PROTECline IBC tanks are specifically designed to reflect UV rays, making this product line ideal for any manufacturer that manufactures or uses sun-sensitive materials.

Finally, COMPACTline IBCs are small IBCs that are easy to stack and store. Although the specifications for these IBCs may be limited due to their size, they can be prepared for use with hazardous materials, consumables, or UV-sensitive materials. Basically, COMPACTline IBC tanks are used by small companies with limited storage space or in active production facilities.

In addition to the IBC product line, Werit also offersIBC Ticket Service to maintain the quality of its products throughout their lifetimeand encouraging customers to reuse and refurbish their own IBCs. When a customer's IBC tank fails, they can send it in for repair, refurbishment or replacement. This service is free for all Werit IBC owners.

Alberta Schoellera

Schoeller Allibert is primarily a European company but has a presence in several major markets around the world. However, its popularity in Europe and the high quality of its products place it among the world's leading IBC producers.

Since the company was founded in 1959, Schoeller Allibert has established itself as an innovative brand committed to service and sustainability. In fact, most of the company's products are made from recycled materials.

Today, Schoeller Allibert is a fast-growing industrial packaging brand with some of the best IBCs on the market.

IBC products from Schoeller Allibert

Schoeller Allibert stands out from the competition by offering e.gcreative line of IBC products.

One of the company's most unique IBCs is the Combo Fructus. This IBC is both rigid and flexible, with a hard plastic tank that can also be folded down, making it sturdy yet easy to clean and store.

Similarly, Schoeller Allibert's Combo Life is a more standard rigid IBC that has plenty of unique features. Some Combo Life models have a fully removable lid for easy refilling, while others include a bottom valve that can be connected to a hose to dispense fluid.

While Schoeller Allibert prides itself on its unique designs, it does offer a few more standard IBCs for less adventurous consumers. For example, the Combo Excelsior is a simple IBC with double walls for added protection.

Like its competitors, Schoeller Allibert also has an in-house recycling service that encourages buyers to repair and refurbish tanks, and offers refurbished tanks to buyers at a discounted price.

Varibox

Last but not least:Varibox IBC tanks.

More information can be found on the following pages:

• • What is an intermediate bulk container?
  • What are IBC tanks for?
  • Frequently asked questions about IBC tanks
  • The role of IBC tanks in logistics
  • IBC tanks in the chemical industry
  • IBC tanks and the circular economy
  • IBC tank monitoring systems