Flexitanks Vs. Traditional Bulk Liquid Shipping: What’s The Difference?

In the world of logistics, the transportation of bulk liquids is a critical aspect of various industries, including food and beverage, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. Traditionally, liquids have been transported using containers such as drums, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), and even specialized tanker trucks or railcars. However, the rise of flexitanks has provided businesses with an innovative solution that offers several advantages over traditional bulk liquid shipping methods.

In this article, we will compare flexitanks with traditional bulk liquid shipping methods, exploring their differences, advantages, and challenges. By the end of this article, you'll have a clear understanding of why flexitanks are becoming increasingly popular and how they can help improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of bulk liquid transport.

What Are Flexitanks?

A flexitank is a large and flexible container designed to hold bulk liquids inside a standard 20-foot shipping container. They are typically made from multiple layers of high-strength polyethylene or polypropylene, which ensures that the tank is durable enough to handle large volumes of liquid during transportation. Flexitanks can hold between 16,000 to 24,000 liters of liquid, depending on the type and design.

The major advantage of a flexitank is its ability to efficiently use the space within a standard shipping container, making it ideal for transporting liquids over long distances. These tanks are commonly used for transporting a wide range of non-hazardous liquids, such as:

Edible oils (e.g., olive oil, sunflower oil)

Wine, fruit juices, and beverages

Liquid chemicals

Liquid fertilizers

Pharmaceutical liquids

Traditional Bulk Liquid Shipping Methods

Before the introduction of flexitanks, the most common methods for shipping bulk liquids included:

Drums: These are large, cylindrical containers typically made of steel or plastic. Drums are commonly used for transporting smaller volumes of liquids (around 200 liters) and are typically used for hazardous or non-hazardous chemicals, oils, and other industrial products.

Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs): These are cube-shaped containers that hold between 600 to 1,200 liters of liquid. IBCs are typically made from metal or plastic and are used for transporting liquids in larger quantities than drums. They are often employed for the transport of chemicals, liquids, and food-grade products.

Tankers: These are large, specialized vehicles that can transport bulk liquids by road, rail, or sea. Tanker trucks and railcars are used to transport liquids in vast quantities (typically tens of thousands of liters) and are ideal for long-distance transport. However, they are expensive to operate and require significant infrastructure.

Each of these methods has its own strengths, but they also come with limitations, especially when compared to the flexibility and efficiency of flexitanks.

Key Differences Between Flexitanks and Traditional Shipping Methods

Now that we've introduced flexitanks and traditional methods, let's dive deeper into the key differences between these two bulk liquid transportation options.

1. Capacity and Space Utilization

Flexitanks: Flexitanks make use of the entire space inside a standard 20-foot shipping container, allowing businesses to ship between 16,000 and 24,000 liters of liquid. Since flexitanks are designed to conform to the shape of the container, there is minimal wasted space.

Traditional Methods: Drums and IBCs are rigid containers and do not make optimal use of the shipping container's interior space. This often results in wasted space and higher shipping costs per liter, as fewer products can be transported at once.

2. Cost Efficiency

Flexitanks: Flexitanks are cost-effective for transporting large quantities of liquids, especially for one-way shipments. Since flexitanks are single-use, they eliminate the need for expensive cleaning and return shipping that is required with drums or IBCs. Additionally, the lightweight design of flexitanks helps reduce transportation costs.

Traditional Methods: While tanker trucks and IBCs can be more expensive to operate, they have their place in specialized applications (e.g., hazardous chemicals). Drums and IBCs are costlier when it comes to per-liter shipping because they often require additional packaging, and their limited capacity increases shipping expenses.

3. Ease of Loading and Unloading

Flexitanks: Loading and unloading a flexitank is relatively easy. With the help of simple pumping equipment, liquids can be quickly transferred into or out of the tank, reducing time and labor costs.

Traditional Methods: Drums and IBCs require more handling, such as forklift transport and manual loading or unloading. While tankers have specialized equipment for bulk unloading, they are often slower and more complex than flexitanks.

4. Environmental Impact

Flexitanks: Flexitanks are made of recyclable 

materials, helping reduce the environmental impact associated with packaging waste. The lightweight nature of flexitanks also reduces fuel consumption during transport.

Traditional Methods: Drums and IBCs are often difficult to recycle, especially if they have been used for hazardous liquids. Tankers require substantial cleaning, and the washing process generates wastewater, adding to environmental concerns.

5. Safety and Contamination Risks

Flexitanks: Flexitanks are designed to prevent leaks and contamination during transportation. As a result, they offer a high level of safety for transporting liquids like food-grade oils, wines, and chemicals. Additionally, since flexitanks are single-use, there is no risk of cross-contamination between shipments.

Traditional Methods: Tankers and IBCs need to be thoroughly cleaned after each use, especially if they are transporting different types of liquids. Improper cleaning can lead to contamination or damage to the transported goods.

6. Flexibility and Versatility

Flexitanks: Flexitanks are suitable for transporting a variety of non-hazardous liquids across industries, from food and beverage to chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Traditional Methods: Tankers, drums, and IBCs are more suited for specific types of liquids (e.g., hazardous chemicals or liquid food ingredients). They may not offer the same flexibility in terms of the types of liquids they can carry.