Guide to IBC Totes

Many industries rely on dependable liquid storage to keep operations running smoothly, safely, and efficiently. IBC totes offer a practical solution for storing, handling, and transporting a wide range of liquid materials, from water and food ingredients to industrial chemicals. Their durable design and consistent performance make them a trusted choice across many applications.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about intermediate bulk containers, including the different types of totes, their common uses, key benefits, and how to choose the right one for your needs.

Intermediate bulk containers, commonly referred to as IBC totes, are reusable containers designed to store and transport liquids, solvents, or granulate materials in large quantities. With their bulk packaging capability, these containers are great low-cost solutions for shipping products. IBC totes are widely used for storing water, chemicals, food ingredients, and other industrial products.

The Cary Company offers a variety of IBC totes to suit different shipping and storage needs. With sizes available from 59 gallons to 793 gallons, these totes can be used across industries for numerous applications. Our selection of IBC tote tanks are made of plastic, stainless steel, or carbon steel.

Plastic IBC totes are made from high‑density polyethylene (HDPE), which provides excellent strength and chemical resistance. Their lightweight, durable design also makes them easy to transport and handle. Our IBC plastic totes are available in 135 gallon, 275 gallon, and 330 gallon capacities. We offer totes in new, rebottled, reconditioned, and heavy duty styles to meet the needs of various applications.

Metal IBC totes are made from either stainless steel or carbon steel. These types of tanks offer excellent strength and can withstand harsh conditions, such as rough handling and high temperatures.

Stainless steel IBC totes are known for their strength, reusability, and long lifespan. They are suitable for a wide range of industrial, food-grade, and hazardous material applications. These tanks can easily be stored and transported. Capacities range from 59 gallons to 793 gallons, with 350 gallons being the most popular.

Our pressurized tanks are a type of specialized stainless steel tank primarily used in the fruit prep and brewery industry, though they are also used in the chemical industry.

Carbon steel IBC totes are made from a heavy duty 10-gauge construction and are used to store various liquids used throughout the chemical, pharmaceutical, and petroleum industries. They are available in 245 gallon, 250 gallon, 350 gallon, 475 gallon, and 550 gallon sizes.

IBC tote tanks are built to handle a wide range of products, and their construction plays a key role in how they perform. The materials, valves, and lids used in each tote are designed to match different needs.

Common IBC tote valves include ball valves or butterfly valves. Ball valves use an internal ball with a hole to control flow, making them ideal for more precise flow control. Alternatively, butterfly valves use a rotating disk to open and close the line, making them best suited for high-volume dispensing.

IBC totes that are UN Rated can be used for handling liquids, solvents, and hazardous materials. They enhance safety with their spill-free valves, metal construction for flammable materials, and easy handling with forklift-compatible bases.

FDA compliant totes are great for batching, mixing, and dispensing consumable products such as syrups, oils, sauces, juices, and wine.

IBC totes are essential in agricultural and farming applications for storing and transporting bulk volumes of liquid and granular goods. This includes water, liquid fertilizers, pesticides, and animal feed.

IBCs are widely used in construction for storing and transporting water, fuel, oils, and chemicals. They can also be used for concrete mixing, dust control, and equipment cleaning.

IBC totes are commonly used in water management for storing, transporting, and harvesting water in bulk quantities.

IBCs offer several advantages that make them an excellent choice for bulk storage and transport needs.

• Space Efficiency: The stackable design of IBC totes makes them great for maximizing storage space in warehouses and during transportation.
• Reusability: With proper cleaning and maintenance, IBC totes can be used for many years. This contributes to their sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
• Durability: IBC tote tanks are highly durable, as they are constructed from materials such as HDPE, stainless steel, or carbon steel. This allows them to withstand harsh conditions, rough handling, and heavy loads.
• Versatility: IBCs are designed to hold various types of liquids ranging from hazardous materials and chemicals to food-grade products and pharmaceuticals. This makes them a dependable choice across industries.
• Compliance: Intermediate bulk containers are designed to comply with strict regulatory standards for handling hazardous materials.
• Cost-Efficiency: IBC totes are economically beneficial due to their large volume capacity, long lifespan, and reusability.

Knowing the dimensions of different IBC tote capacities is important for optimizing storage space and ensuring safe transport. The chart below breaks down popular IBC tote sizes in gallons and their dimensions, giving you a guide for choosing the right tank for your needs.

UN ratings are a set of standards set by the United Nations that are necessary for shipping and storing hazardous materials. Specifically, the UN rating is a series of number and letter codes representing what a container is regulated to handle. 

IBC totes commonly carry a “Y” rating, meaning they’re suitable for Packaging Groups II and III. This indicates minor or moderate danger materials.

In effort to minimize environmental impact, The Cary Company offers free tote disposal services to help you recycle your used totes. After picking up your totes, we clean out and recondition them. To remain compliant, we ask that the totes be “drip dry” and empty in accordance with 40 CFR 261.7 as well as local and state regulations. For a smooth pickup, totes should have:

• Secure valves

• Fill port and valve caps in place

• Labels that are intact and readable

We schedule pickups for full truckload quantities or close to it, making disposal simple and efficient on both ends.

Choosing the right IBC tote is important for ensuring safe storage and transportation of your product. The right choice depends on a few main factors: the material type, tote condition, compliance rating, and capacity needs.

IBC totes are available in several material options, and the right choice depends on what you plan on using it for. Plastic IBCs made from HDPE are a common choice because they are lightweight, durable, and compatible with various chemicals and liquids. Stainless steel IBCs are best suited for applications that require excellent strength, heat resistance, or long-term reuse. Carbon steel IBCs are great for products that do not require stainless steel but still need a heavy duty metal container.

New IBC totes are the best for products that require a clean, unused interior, such as food ingredients, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and other sensitive materials. Reconditioned and rebottled totes are a more economical option for industrial chemicals, non-potable water treatment, agriculture, and waste applications.

UN rated IBC totes are required when storing or transporting hazardous materials because they are made to meet specific performance and safety standards. Totes without a UN rating are best used for non hazardous products and general applications where these regulations do not apply. Choosing the correct rating is essential for staying compliant with transportation rules and ensuring safe handling.

It’s important to choose a tote based on the volume requirements for your specific application. This helps optimize storage space and improve transport efficiency. Standard sizes include 275 gallons and 330 gallons, but smaller and larger capacities are also available.

Intermediate bulk containers are a great option for shipping and storing large amounts of product. The Cary Company supplies various styles and sizes of IBC totes ranging from 59 gallons up to 793 gallons. If you have questions or are looking for a specific IBC tote, we’re here to help! The Cary Product Sourcing Team will work with you to find the best solution based on your needs. Give us a call at 630.629.6600 or email us at sales@thecarycompany.com.