What is an IBC?

An IBC is a square shaped HDPE container of 1000 Litre capacity housed in an aluminium cage and palletised base for storing and transporting liquids.

There is an inlet in the middle of the top horizontal of either 155mm or 225mm diameter, and an outlet valve at the bottom of one of the vertical sides of either 62mm, 75mm, 80mm or 100mm depending on the region and manufacturer.

The 62mm is most common in South Africa with manufacturers Greif, Mauser Packaging and Schuetz.

IBC’s are manufactured for the purpose of transporting a range of liquids, oils, fuels and chemicals and decanted on-site where the raw material is used in the process of formulating a final product for the end user. Dispensing the liquid from a IBC can be done by gravity or suction from a pump.

Using gravity to extract liquid is done by opening the valve situated at the bottom of the IBC. This can be troublesome and time consuming if the liquid is of a high viscosity that doesn’t flow easily. Conversely, the clearance from the ground and size and angle of the valve is limiting and is more accessible by raising the IBC with a forklift and using an additional accessory that fasten onto the unusual thread of the outlet. We supply various accessories and IBC adapters that convert the outlet to be easily accessible and adaptable.

IBC serve a greater number of applications in the used and reconditioned market. Most notably as water and diesel bowsers for the backup and refuelling in private and commercial sectors.

Water and diesel bowsers are the most popular secondary uses of a IBC originally for farming, mining, and construction activities. More recently the electricity crisis that plagues South Africa has fostered a large demand for diesel bowsers to satisfy private and corporate markets that rely on diesel generators.

IBC’s being used as water bowsers are on a steady rise in demand due to recent low water levels, unreliable supply and inconsistent quality from state owned enterprises. This has lead to a large uptake of water storage and filtration solutions for both private and commercial markets.