Flexibags and Flexitanks vs. Other Bulk Liquid Transport Options

Bulk liquid transport is a task that demands a dependable solution that meets all safety requirements while ensuring efficacy throughout bulk liquid transportation. Conventionally, those dealing with the transportation of bulk liquids would use IBC totes, ISO tanks, and drums. However, we’ve since shifted to flexitanks for our transportation needs. Some reasons for this shift include continuing maintenance expenses and elevated investment costs.

Our flexibags are a more viable and cost-efficient alternative for numerous businesses. Suppose you’re looking to transport bulk non-hazardous liquids such as edible oil. In that case, we recommend our reliable bulk storage units comprising numerous layers of polypropylene and polyethylene that offer a safer and cost-efficient alternative for bulk transportation. Here’s a look at the comparison between flexibags and other shipping options.

Bulk Liquid Transport Flexibags versus Drums

Drums are available in various kinds, from plastic to steel and fiber. Regardless of their type, it’s worth noting that drums require an inner lining or coating for sustaining food hygiene, along with strapping and a pellet for safety purposes.

For numerous businesses, drums have provided the standard means of providing bulk liquid transportation. They offer certain benefits because of their size uniformity, making it easy to transport and stack them. Nonetheless, our flexibags offer better maneuverability, safety, and storage alternative.

• We recommend flexitanks, which permit enhanced space utilization over drums since they’re expandable and it’s possible to fill up the available space optimally. Subsequently, this allows us to lower the shipments we need to make, thereby decreasing our transportation costs.
• Bulk liquid transport is more costly because of its weight, cleaning, handling, and relocation requirements.
• Conventionally, the 55-gallon drums have offered bulk liquid solutions. At the maximum, containers comprising these drums can accommodate 16,000 liters while our flexibags can transport 24,000 liters. This implies that we can transport 8,000 liters more on one freight.

Bulk Liquid Transport Flexibags versus ISO Tanks

ISO Tanks

An ISO container is a stainless tank surrounded by different protective layers, permitting the transportation of nonhazardous and hazardous bulk liquids by railway, sea, or roads. These containers are manufactured to the ISO standard, and you can easily distinguish them by their cylindrical shape. They need lining to minimize corrosion and wear from the contents. However, they lack the huge disposable lining present in flexitanks.

Besides transporting bulk fuel and gas, they can be built purposely for food transport. These tanks allow easy storage during layovers or delays and are robust and reusable because of their stainless-steel frames. Furthermore, they can resist damage and adverse weather condition. Typically, these tanks can accommodate 26,000 liters, which is somewhat bigger than a flexitank’s capacity.

Despite their benefits, this shipping option isn’t the optimal solution for bulk liquid transportation. A major concern is cleaning, which frequently increases costs because cleaning must occur at an approved facility. Furthermore, ISO tanks are costly to replace and manufacture.

Although this option has benefits, flexibags provide the transportation, shipping, and storage industries with a cost-effective and innovative solution.

• Our flexibags are single-use items, so there’s no need to worry about cleaning costs or transporting empty tanks upon use, unlike ISO tanks.

• Flexibags allow easy shipping and transport in a 20 ft container and enable economic stocking.
• Flexibags are environmentally friendly since they are recyclable

• Flexibags offer a viable option because it’s possible to reuse a standard ocean container. On the other hand, an ISO tank requires emptying before proceeding to a different destination because return shipments don’t exist.

Advantages of ISO Tanks

A benefit of tank containers over flexibags is that they comprise up to six compartments, making them ideal for the transportation of petroleum products since numerous grades can undergo transportation in one trip. Also, there’s a wide range of delivery options with chassis and tank trailers since the same product delivery to different clients might be aggregated.

It’s worth noting that tank containers are usually more durable, with a lifespan of about 30 years, compared to flexibags, which undergo disposal after bulk liquid transport.

Selecting an ISO or Flexibag

Factors to consider when choosing between a flexitank and an ISO tank.

Product Compatibility and Specification

Flexibags can only transport non-hazardous items, while ISO tanks can accommodate hazardous and non-hazardous liquids. Compared to transporting packaged items, the huge volume in bulk shipments makes cargoes naturally temperature resistant throughout transit. It’s worth noting that both flexibags and ISO tanks have temperature control choices.

Equipment Availability and Budget

We recommend you transport fewer containers if you need to reign in expenses. This is possible in both tank types. Remember, the heavier the cargo, the less product a tank can accommodate due to the general payload limit. Shipping containers are difficult to find, and ISO tank accessibility is just as challenging.

Sustainability

Flexibags comprise recyclable plastic and are single-use to prevent cross-contamination. However, ISO tanks need cleaning for preparation for the subsequent shipping. We recognize that ISO tank cleaning is resource and energy intensive and must occur in an accredited depot.  However, they’re reusable, making their lifespan greater than flexibags.

Flexibags and tank containers both provide bulk liquid solutions. Based on the product you’re transporting and the destination, one method might be more beneficial than the other. While flexibags, drums, and tank containers offer bulk liquid transport, some differences exist. Therefore, you need to understand each offer and whether they can address your needs sufficiently. This guide offers valuable information if you’re wondering which method suits you best.