Most liquid agrochemicals are packed in high-density polyethylene (HDPE): bottles for retail packs and jerrycans or drums for larger sizes. Solvent-based products such as many ECs need co-extruded (coex) or barrier packs, because solvent can pass through a plain HDPE wall.
Solids such as WP and WDG go in pouches, bags, fibre drums or HDPE containers. Technical grade usually ships in fibre drums, HDPE drums or lined bags.
The right pack depends on the product's solvent, its hazard class, the climate it will travel through and the shelf life you need. Packaging is part of product quality, so specify it as carefully as the formulation.
The main pack types
- Plain HDPE bottles and jerrycans suit water-based products such as SC and SL formulations.
- Coex bottles have a multi-layer wall, with a barrier layer such as EVOH or polyamide between HDPE layers. They stop solvent loss, odour and swelling with EC and other solvent-based products.
- Fluorinated HDPE has a treated inner surface that also cuts permeation, and is used for some solvent products.
- HDPE and steel drums hold larger volumes for formulators, distributors and technical buyers.
- Laminated pouches and bags, often with an aluminium or barrier layer, hold WP and WDG products.
- Fibre drums with an inner polyethylene liner are common for solid technical grade.
Why permeation matters
When solvent passes through a bottle wall, the product loses weight and can change concentration. Bottles may panel, swell or smell. Labels can peel. In a container at high temperature this gets worse. A plain HDPE bottle that looks fine at the factory can fail after weeks at sea.
Ask for permeation or weight-loss test results for the exact product in the exact bottle. If the factory has none, have samples stored warm and weighed before you approve the pack.
Compatibility works both ways. Some solvents soften or stress-crack plastics, and some actives react with metal. Lined steel drums or specific liners may be needed. The formulator should confirm compatibility for each product and pack, in writing.
Dangerous goods packaging
Many agrochemicals ship as dangerous goods. Their packs must then be UN-approved for the product's packing group and carry the UN specification mark. The approval covers the whole combination, including closure and outer carton, so a change of carton can void it. See whether agrochemicals are dangerous goods and UN-approved packaging.
The shipper is legally responsible for correct packaging. Confirm the requirement with your freight forwarder before you approve packs.
Details to specify
- State the bottle material and wall structure, with weight and neck size.
- Require closures with an induction seal and tamper evidence, and child-resistant caps where your market requires them.
- Set carton strength and the number of packs per carton, with pallet pattern and stretch wrap.
- Choose label material that resists solvent and moisture.
- Ask for leak tests on a sample of filled packs before loading.
- Require dunnage and bracing in the container so drums and cartons cannot shift at sea.
Next step
We check packs, closures and UN marks during production and before loading. Book a free sourcing review to set your packaging specification.