More Chemical Firms Turning from Drums to Larger, Safer Containers

Abstract

Environmental regulations continue to make it increasingly difficult to dispose of chemical drums in landfills. Chemical companies are feeling the weight of soaring drum disposal fees, the costs and hassles of cleaning residual chemicals from drums before disposal, and the potential liabilities associated with having their names on drums that are improperly used or discarded. Although drums certainly still have their place in the chemical industry, chemical companies are turning increasingly to alternative metal and plastic containers that are much larger than drums and can be dedicated to a particular chemical, refilled, and reused. Producers of some specialty chemicals such as automotive coatings and adhesives, for example, have long relied on intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), which generally hold from 110 to 550 gal, because they provide the kind of high–purity handling and small–volume convenience tailored to their needs. But now these containers, which are also referred to as tote tanks or totes, ...