It’s flashback Friday on the Tote Talk blog; our tribute to the popular social trend, but with an IBC tank twist! Today we want to provide a quick history of intermediate bulk container tanks - how did they originate, who uses them and why?

Read on for the details...

The original patent for IBC tanks appears to have originated with inventor Olivier J. L. D'Hollander of Limelette, Belgium on behalf of DOW Corning Corporation. D'Hollander was issued US patent number 5,269,414 for his concept in December of 1993. Original patent details outlined a need for:

“A container which is foldable and reusable and which is stackable in the erected position as well as the folded position. The container… is particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for the transport, storage and handling of liquid materials and of free-flowing powder materials.”  

Just three years after the patent submission, Metano IBC was founded just outside of New York City, on the belief that intermediate bulk containers provided superior benefits over standard drums for storing and transporting liquids. Today we are proud to offer a variety of poly composite totes for sale and stainless steel totes for sale and rent, not to mention a wide array of IBC parts and accessories!

Who is using IBC tanks and why?

IBCs are used across a wide range of industries for liquid transport and storage, including:

• Paints and coatings
• Chemicals
• Fragrances
• Food ingredients
• Pharmaceutical ingredients
• Wines and other beverages

Among other benefits, IBCs are easy to handle, durable, reusable and kinder to the environment. And they offer the storage capacity of six standard drums, to give you the ability to move more materials in fewer containers.

Want to explore how IBC tanks can benefit your business? Connect with Metano for a custom quote!