Rigid Bulk Packaging

Report Overview

11th Edition

Pails will remain the largest product segment of rigid bulk packaging, while also posting the fastest expected demand growth through 2023, due to the light weight and low cost of plastic pails, which dominate the segment. Sales of newly produced rigid intermediate bulk containers (RIBCs) will face competition from refurbished units and flexible packaging formats.

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This report encompasses rigid bulk packaging products that are used by a number of markets in a variety of applications.

Product segments discussed are:

• pails (plastic, steel)
• drums (fibre, plastic, steel)
• bulk boxes
• material handling containers (crates, totes)
• rigid intermediate bulk containers (RIBCs)

Material Handling Containers are defined as:

Generally square or rectangular in shape and can be stacked. Available in a number of variations on the standard formation to increase space efficiency or reduce costs of storage or shipping. In this study, material handling containers include plastic totes and crates and steel containers (e.g., wire mesh and corrugated steel containers).

Rigid Intermediate Bulk Containers are defined as:

Primarily rectangular containers that hold between 120 and 660 gallons of material, and used for the transport, storage, and processing of various liquids, as well as dry and viscous materials. They are produced mainly from polyethylene, carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. “Intermediate” refers to their capacity between a drum and a tank.

Market segments discussed include:

• chemicals and pharmaceuticals
• food and beverages
• durable goods
• plastic and rubber products
• petroleum and lubricants
• agricultural and horticultural products
• other markets (e.g., hazardous waste storage and handling)

Data from the US Census Bureau and the US International Trade Commission were consulted in the preparation of this study, and a list of related codes is presented for informational purposes. However, these codes may not include all products covered in this report or may exclude some products of interest, and the data have thus been adjusted accordingly.