Liquid specialty chemicals usually ship in plastic or steel drums, jerricans or intermediate bulk containers (IBCs). Powders and flakes ship in lined bags, cartons or jumbo bags.
The right pack depends on the product's hazard, your order size, how your plant unloads and what your customers expect. For bulk liquids in ISO tanks and the wider bulk picture, see chemicals in drums, IBCs or ISO tanks.
Liquid packs
- HDPE jerricans of 20 to 50 litres suit small orders, samples and products sold to end users.
- HDPE drums, often around 200 to 250 litres, suit most water-based and mildly corrosive products.
- Steel drums, plain or lined, suit solvents and products that attack plastic.
- IBCs of about 1,000 litres, a plastic bottle in a metal cage, cut handling time and suit regular users with forklifts.
- Flexitanks inside a 20-foot container suit large volumes of non-hazardous liquids, as covered in flexitanks for chemicals.
Solid packs
- Multi-wall paper bags with a plastic liner, often 20 to 25 kilograms, suit powders such as tile adhesive or polymer powders.
- Woven polypropylene bags with a liner suit granules and flakes.
- Fibre drums suit small lots of high-value powders.
- Jumbo bags, or flexible intermediate bulk containers, often hold 500 to 1,000 kilograms and suit large users with lifting gear.
How to choose
Start with the safety data sheet. If the product is dangerous goods, it must go in packaging approved and marked for its UN number and packing group. The rules are explained in UN-approved packaging. The shipper is responsible, so confirm compliance with your forwarder.
Next, check compatibility. Some solvents soften HDPE, and some acids attack unlined steel. The supplier should confirm that the pack material suits the product for its full shelf life.
Then think about your own site. A plant that pumps from IBCs saves labour. A distributor who sells small lots may need drums or jerricans. Mixed packs in one container are possible, but they make loading and counting harder.
What to put in the order
State the pack type, size, material, colour if it matters, closure type and whether packs are new or reconditioned. Reconditioned drums and IBCs are common in India. They can be fine for non-hazardous products, but agree it in writing.
Also agree pallet type, number of packs per pallet, wrapping and labels. Ask for photos of packed goods before loading and check them against the order.
Pack choice also changes how much fits in a container. Drums and IBCs leave gaps, and heavy liquids may reach the container's weight limit before its space runs out. Ask the supplier for a loading plan that shows packs per container and gross weight, so you can compare quotes on the same basis.
Next step
We agree packing details with the plant and inspect packs, labels and pallets at loading. Book a free sourcing review.