IBC Tank Uses by Industry
A comprehensive guide to how IBC tanks are used across major industries. Discover application-specific requirements, recommended tank grades, and best practices for your sector.
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One Container, Countless Applications
Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) are used in virtually every industry that handles liquids. From farms to pharmaceutical plants, from construction sites to food processing facilities, IBC tanks provide an efficient, portable, and cost-effective way to store and transport 120 to 550 gallons of liquid.
Agriculture & Farming
IBC tanks are workhorses on farms and agricultural operations, used for water storage, irrigation, fertigation, pesticide mixing, and livestock watering. Their durability, portability, and large capacity make them ideal for field applications.
Common Applications
- Bulk water storage for irrigation systems and field crews
- Fertigation: mixing and dispensing liquid fertilizers through irrigation lines
- Pesticide and herbicide mixing and application
- Livestock drinking water supply in pastures and barns
- Rainwater collection and harvesting
- Crop wash stations for post-harvest cleaning
- Hydroponic nutrient solution storage
- Emergency water supply during drought conditions
Tank Requirements
- Food-grade for potable water and crop contact applications
- UV-resistant for outdoor use (black bottles preferred)
- Chemical-compatible for pesticides and fertilizers
- 275-gallon or 330-gallon most common
Recommended Grade
Used Grade A or B (cost-effective for most farm applications)
Chemical Manufacturing & Distribution
The chemical industry is one of the largest users of IBC tanks globally. IBCs provide a cost-effective way to store, transport, and dispense industrial chemicals in quantities between drums and tanker trucks.
Common Applications
- Bulk chemical storage in manufacturing facilities
- Transport of chemicals between plants and distribution centers
- Raw material receiving and dispensing
- Finished product packaging for B2B distribution
- Waste chemical accumulation before treatment or disposal
- Process chemical supply to production lines
- Chemical blending and mixing operations
- Temporary storage during facility maintenance or turnarounds
Tank Requirements
- UN/DOT-rated (31HA1/Y or 31HA1/X) for hazardous material transport
- HDPE chemical compatibility verified for each product
- Current certification (within 5-year UN expiration)
- Proper labeling with GHS, NFPA 704, and DOT markings
Recommended Grade
New or Reconditioned (certification and compliance requirements)
Food & Beverage Processing
Food-grade IBC tanks are essential for moving bulk ingredients, finished products, and intermediary materials in food and beverage production. FDA compliance and strict sanitation standards are mandatory.
Common Applications
- Bulk ingredient storage: oils, syrups, flavorings, concentrates
- Beverage production: juice concentrates, wine, brewing ingredients
- Dairy: liquid milk, cream, whey protein solutions
- Bakery: liquid sweeteners, chocolate, egg products
- Sauce and condiment production: bulk sauce, vinegar, dressings
- Brewing and distilling: wort, mash, spirits
- Water purification and bottled water operations
- Pharmaceutical food supplements and nutraceuticals
Tank Requirements
- FDA-compliant food-grade HDPE (virgin resin, 21 CFR 177.1520)
- Food-grade valve, gasket, and cap materials
- Documented chain of custody (previous contents must be food-safe)
- Cleaning validated per FSMA preventive controls
Recommended Grade
New or Rebottled (food safety requires highest standards)
Pharmaceutical & Cosmetics
The pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries use IBC tanks for bulk liquid ingredients, intermediary products, and finished formulations. These applications have the highest cleanliness and documentation requirements.
Common Applications
- Bulk pharmaceutical excipients (solvents, bases, carriers)
- Purified water and water-for-injection storage
- Cosmetic ingredient storage: oils, fragrances, emulsifiers
- Personal care product manufacturing: lotions, shampoos, cleaners
- Pharmaceutical intermediate storage during production
- Active ingredient solutions and suspensions
- Cleaning and sanitization solution preparation
- Waste solvent accumulation before recycling or disposal
Tank Requirements
- New tanks required for most pharmaceutical applications
- cGMP-compliant (current Good Manufacturing Practices)
- Full traceability and batch documentation
- Stainless steel IBCs preferred for many pharmaceutical applications
Recommended Grade
New (pharmaceutical grade requires virgin containers with full documentation)
Construction & Building
Construction sites use IBC tanks for on-site water supply, concrete additives, dust control, equipment washing, and temporary chemical storage. The portable nature of IBCs makes them ideal for projects that move between locations.
Common Applications
- Non-potable water supply for dust control and compaction
- Concrete admixture and additive storage and dispensing
- Equipment washing and decontamination
- Temporary fuel storage (in appropriate UN-rated containers)
- Erosion control product storage (hydroseeding mulch, tackifiers)
- Portable restroom water supply
- Road construction: asphalt emulsions, tack coats
- Dewatering operations: collected water storage before treatment
Tank Requirements
- Durable cages for rugged job site conditions
- Used tanks are typically suitable and cost-effective
- May need secondary containment for chemical storage
- UN-rated if storing hazardous materials on-site
Recommended Grade
Used Grade B or C (construction sites do not require premium condition)
Automotive & Manufacturing
Manufacturing facilities use IBC tanks for coolants, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, cleaning solutions, and process chemicals. The dispensing capability of IBCs integrates well with production line supply systems.
Common Applications
- Metalworking fluids and coolants for CNC machines
- Hydraulic fluid bulk storage and dispensing
- Parts washing solutions and degreasers
- Paint and coating materials for finishing operations
- Assembly line adhesives and sealants
- Wastewater accumulation before treatment
- Antifreeze and coolant storage for fleet maintenance
- Cleaning chemicals for facility maintenance
Tank Requirements
- Chemical compatibility with specific fluids being stored
- Enclosed storage area to prevent contamination
- Secondary containment for oil-based products
- Easy dispensing setup: valve to pump or gravity feed to production line
Recommended Grade
Reconditioned or Grade A Used
Water Treatment & Environmental
Water treatment facilities, environmental remediation companies, and utilities use IBC tanks for treatment chemicals, collected water samples, and temporary storage during water system maintenance and emergency response.
Common Applications
- Treatment chemicals: sodium hypochlorite, coagulants, pH adjusters
- Collected water for testing and analysis
- Temporary storage during water main repairs or replacements
- Emergency water supply for communities during outages
- Stormwater management: detention and sampling
- Groundwater remediation: treatment chemical supply
- Wastewater treatment plant chemical feed systems
- Mobile water purification unit supply tanks
Tank Requirements
- Chemical-resistant for treatment chemicals (many are corrosive)
- Food-grade for potable water applications
- UV-resistant for outdoor installations
- Properly vented for chemicals that off-gas
Recommended Grade
Varies: New for potable water, Used for chemical storage
Oil & Gas / Energy
The oil and gas industry uses IBC tanks for drilling fluids, well treatment chemicals, produced water storage, and equipment maintenance fluids at well sites and refineries.
Common Applications
- Drilling fluid additives and completion chemicals
- Produced water collection and temporary storage
- Wellhead treatment chemicals (biocides, scale inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors)
- Hydraulic fracturing fluid components
- Lubricants and hydraulic fluids for field equipment
- Decontamination solutions for equipment and personnel
- Waste fluid accumulation before disposal
- Emergency spill response: absorbent and neutralizer storage
Tank Requirements
- UN/DOT-rated for hazardous chemical transport to well sites
- Rugged construction for field use in remote locations
- Chemical compatibility with well treatment chemicals
- Secondary containment required at most well sites
Recommended Grade
Reconditioned with valid UN certification
Industry Requirements at a Glance
| Industry | Typical Grade | Certifications | Common Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Used A/B | None (food-grade for potable water) | 275 gal |
| Chemical | Reconditioned / New | UN/DOT, GHS labeling | 275 gal |
| Food & Beverage | New / Rebottled | FDA food-grade, FSMA | 275 gal |
| Pharmaceutical | New only | FDA, cGMP, full traceability | 275 gal |
| Construction | Used B/C | UN/DOT if hazmat | 275 gal |
| Automotive / Mfg | Reconditioned / Used A | Varies by contents | 275 gal |
| Water Treatment | New or Reconditioned | Food-grade for potable | 275-330 gal |
| Oil & Gas | Reconditioned | UN/DOT required | 275 gal |
Find the Right IBC for Your Industry
IBC Santa Ana supplies IBC tanks to businesses across all major industries. Our team understands industry-specific requirements and can recommend the right tank for your application.