Bulk Chemical Logistics: 23 MT Flexitank vs. IBC
DOBO Technical R&D TeamUpdated 9 on Nov 2026Oct 26, 2026
Flexitank vs. IBC and Drum Packing for Bulk Plasticizer Shipments: Cost per Ton, Discharge & Storage Requirements, Scenario Selection Matrix, and Ningbo/Shanghai Loading Terms
Bulk Chemical Logistics: 23 MT Flexitank vs. IBC
When is a flexitank more cost-effective than IBC totes, and when is it the wrong choice?A flexitank holds up to 23 MT in a single 20-foot-foot container and is typically the lowest-cost option per tonne for full container loads. IBC totes and steel drums cost more per tonne but offer flexibility for trial quantities, warehouse storage, and installations that cannot unload a flexitank. The best choice depends on volume, unloading equipment, and how the material will be stored.
Three packing options at a glance
| Option | Typical quantity | Handling | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 MT flexitank | About 23 MT per 20-foot container | Discharged via valve | Full container loads; direct tank or silo transfer |
| 100 0L IBC Tote | About 1 MT each | Forklift and pump, or gravity | Trial orders, phased deployment, multi-site delivery |
| 20 0L steel drum | About 0.2 MT each | Manual or forklift handling | Small shipments, warehouses without tanks, LCL cargo |
Liquid plasticizers are available in all three formats and can be shipped from Ningbo or Shanghai under FOB or CIF terms. The trial order minimum quantity of 1 MT equals one 1000L IBC tote or five 200L drums.
What a Flexitank actually entails
A flexitank is a food-grade or industrial-grade bladder installed inside a standard 20-foot container. It fills through a top valve and discharges via a bottom valve, turning a dry container into a bulk liquid carrier—driving down the cost per tonne. However, it also introduces requirements that are easy to overlook.
| Requirement | Why it matters | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Discharge pump and hose | Material must be expelled from the bladder. | Verify pump capacity and fitting type |
| Container heel | Not all materials drain by gravity. | Plan for a small residue or use suction |
| Discharge Temperature | Viscosity decreases or increases with temperature | Account for battery discharge in cold weather |
| Liner and valve integrity | A leak represents a total loss during transit. | Inspect before filling and record |
| Documentation | Customs and insurance must be consistent | Keep the packing list and declaration aligned |
Unloading and storage planning
The decision often hinges on unloading logistics rather than price. A facility equipped with a bulk tank and pump can accept a flexitank directly, eliminating intermediate handling. Facilities without tanks must use IBC totes, as opened flexitanks cannot be stored on-site. Drum packing remains ideal when materials need to be delivered in small batches to the production area or when shipments are consolidated with other cargo.
| Scenario | Recommended option | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Full container delivered to a plant with storage tanks | 23 MT flexitank | Lowest cost per ton, direct transfer |
| First order or qualification batch | 1000L IBC tote or five 200L drums | Matches the 1 MT trial minimum order quantity |
| Multiple sites from a single order | IBC containers | Splits easily without repacking |
| Site without pumps or tanks | 20 0L drums | Handled with standard equipment |
| Consolidated mixed cargo | 20 0L drums or IBC totes | Supports LCL and mixed container planning |
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of a flexitank?A standard 20-foot flexitank holds approximately 23 MT of plasticizer. The exact amount varies based on density and liner specifications.
What is the minimum trial quantity?The trial order minimum quantity is 1 MT, available as one 1000L IBC tote or five 200L steel drums.
Can a flexitank be stored after opening?No. Once discharged, the bladder is not a storage vessel; therefore, the receiving site must have tanks, or the material must be transferred immediately.
Which port is being used?Shipments depart from Ningbo or Shanghai; FOB and CIF terms available.
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Trial order MOQ: 1 MT (1000L IBC tote or five 200L drums) | Bulk: 23 MT flexitank
Regulatory and standards references
The links below lead to official EU, US, and ISO sources for the compliance frameworks discussed on this page. DOBO does not control third-party content; the official text and regulations of the buyer's market take precedence.
- ECHA — Understanding REACHEU registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH), including the Candidate List of substances of very high concern.
- EUR-Lex — Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2)Restriction on the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment; Annex II lists restricted substances and their maximum concentrations.
- eCFR — 21 CFR 175.300US FDA regulations for resinous and polymeric coatings intended for repeated use as food-contact surfaces, including extraction testing conditions.
- ASTM — Plastic and plasticizer standardsASTM International publishes the test methods referenced in our TDS, including plasticizer sampling and chemical analysis, tensile properties, and heat-aging procedures.
- ASTM — Plastic and Plasticizer Testing StandardsASTM International has published the test methods referenced in the TDS, covering sampling and chemical analysis of plasticizers, as well as tensile properties and thermal aging procedures.
- ISO — ISO 10993-1Biological evaluation of medical devices — Part 1: Evaluation and testing within a risk management process, establishing the foundation for biocompatibility programs.
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