Guide to IBC Tote Solutions

IBCs are used to ship, handle, and store a variety of materials, including but not limited to the following:

• Liquid food ingredients.
• Food syrups such as corn syrup, maple syrup, or molasses.
• In vineyards, wine fermentation and spirits production.

The IBCs used for these purposes are designed for reuse, and hence must be cleaned every time they’re used. Since totes are portable vessels, and not integrated into a process line, they are cleaned using clean-out-of-place (COP) methods, not clean-in-place (CIP).

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A number of best practices have been developed for the proper maintenance of IBC totes, including the following:

1. Meet regular inspection requirements. The U.S. government mandates that all IBCs must be inspected after manufacturing, and then every 2.5 years after that. In these inspections, totes must pass a leak test to ensure that they are keeping liquids and solids contained. And after every five years, totes must be inspected internally to look for any damage to the liner.
2. Use professional cleaning services. If unsure about how to properly clean an IBC tote, or if unlicensed to do so, hire a professional cleaning service to clean these vessels. For commercial businesses in the processing industries which must clean totes frequently (if not daily), later sections of this guide will provide an overview of the specialized products that allow process plant operators to clean and maintain totes both thoroughly and safely.
3. Use caution when moving or lifting totes. Totes come with a discharge valve for draining products, and care must be exercised when moving or lifting totes to ensure that this valve isn’t damaged. Totes can be lifted from any side, however, more commonly from the front or the back. Operators should avoid coming into contact with the valve when lifting. Proceed slowly, and try to keep the contents as steady as possible to avoid any sudden shifts in weight.
4. Remove lids slowly. Contents inside a tote may build up pressure during moving and storage, and especially so if the tote contains liquids. Slowly release the bung on the tote’s lid to let pressure out gradually. If this precaution is not taken, the bung may fly off, or the contents may burst out of the container.
5. Avoid overfilling the container. When filled, ensure that the tank valve is closed tightly and that a second closure has been installed prior to moving the IBC.