Every kind of tote
we keep on the lot.
Intermediate bulk containers aren’t one thing. They’re a family of related containers tuned for different cargos. Here’s what we stock, what we can source, and what each kind is actually good at.
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Caged HDPE — Standard
The classic intermediate bulk container. Bottle inside a steel cage on a pallet base. The most common, most repairable, most economical option.
Composite IBC
Same general design but reinforced bottle and cage. Better for heavy liquids over 1.5 SG and for repeated round-trips in a closed-loop fleet.
Stainless Steel IBC
304 or 316L stainless. Welded fittings, CIP-ball options. Last forever, weigh a fortune empty, expensive new but a steal reconditioned.
Conductive HDPE
Carbon-loaded HDPE that dissipates static. For solvents, fuel, and other flammables where a regular tote would build dangerous charge.
Insulated / Heated
Foam-clad totes or those fitted with band heaters. Useful for waxes, viscous adhesives, and anything that has to stay above 80°F to flow.
If you only know what you’re moving, start here.
| What you’re shipping | Default family | Grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water, brine, glycols | Caged HDPE | Industrial | Vented cap; EPDM gasket. |
| Edible oil, syrup, brewing | Caged HDPE | Food | NSF gasket; segregated wash. |
| Cleaners, detergents | Caged HDPE | Industrial | Composite if cycled > 5x. |
| Adhesives | Caged HDPE | Industrial | Plan for difficult cleanout. |
| Solvents, fuel, ethanol | Conductive HDPE | Industrial | Static dissipation required. |
| Mild acids ≤ 30% | Caged HDPE | Industrial | Viton gasket upgrade. |
| Strong acids / chlorides | Stainless 316L | Industrial | Stainless will outlive HDPE here. |
| Waxes, viscous adhesive | Insulated / heated | Industrial | Band heater optional. |
| CIP / pharma intermediate | Stainless | Pharma | New if first-fill required. |
| Rainwater catchment | Repurposed food-grade | Repurposed | 275 gal beats five rain barrels. |
Words people use around totes.
- IBC
- Intermediate bulk container — a rigid container for industrial liquids, usually 275 or 330 gallons.
- HDPE
- High-density polyethylene. The white plastic of standard IBC bottles. Tough, cheap, recyclable.
- Cage
- The galvanized steel lattice around the bottle. Provides structural integrity under forklift and stack load.
- Pallet
- The base under the cage. Composite (modern default), steel (heaviest, longest-lived), or wood (legacy).
- Discharge valve
- The 2″ valve at the bottom of the bottle. Buttress thread on the tote side.
- Fill cap
- The 6″ cap on the top. Vented (for breathing liquids) or sealed (for hazmat).
- Composite IBC
- A reinforced variant — heavier cage, thicker bottle. Designed for repeat-cycle use.
- Conductive HDPE
- Carbon-loaded HDPE that dissipates static charge. Required for flammable services.
- CIP
- Clean-in-place. A wash protocol used in food and pharma where the vessel cleans without disassembly.
- UN/DOT mark
- Stamped certification indicating the tote is rated for hazmat transport.
The ones people ask after their first reply.
What’s the smallest IBC you carry?
120 gallon caged HDPE. Below that, you’re into 55-gallon drum territory and we don’t sell drums.
What’s the largest?
550 gallon stainless. Heavier than most forklifts like to handle and they typically live in one place for their working life.
Can I mix sizes on one order?
Yes. Common for fleet builds where different product lines use different volumes.
Do all your totes use the same fittings?
No. S60x6 buttress is the most common discharge thread, but stainless usually has tri-clamp or NPT. Spec the fitting in the order so we send the right adapters.
Not sure which to spec?
Tell us what’s going inside and where it’s shipping. We’ll recommend the right tote, fittings, and grade.