Paints and Coatings

Paints and chemical coatings are often transported and stored in intermediate bulk containers.  According to the American Coatings Association, “approximately half of the paint and coatings products meet the criteria for hazardous materials and are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) along with the modal regulations for air, rail, highway and sea transport.”  Because of the hazardous nature of these products, stainless steel is one of the reliable materials for storing and shipping paints and coatings.  Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) are DOT approved for transporting hazardous and corrosive liquids, making our tote tanks the ideal packaging solution.  

One of the benefits of using totes is that paint does not easily adhere to stainless steel.  It is typical to expect over 99% of the product to drain out because the bottom is sloped toward the discharge outlet.  This reduces the amount of product stuck to the side of the tote and nearly eliminates any residue left behind. The cost savings in lost residual can really add up!

While stainless steel is suitable to use with many chemicals, you should always make sure it is compatible with the chemicals in your process.  A good place to check compatibility is the Cole-Parmer Chemical Compatibility Database.

Storage

A tight seal is mandatory for storing paints.  Many paints and coating are moisture and air sensitive.  Stainless steel IBCs provide, when properly closed, an airtight seal.  It is important to correctly install the gasket and lid to ensure a tight seal.  Read our lid installation guide and watch the two videos on our website about how to properly install a lid and gasket. 

Accessories 

Industrial coatings and paints is one industry that fully takes advantage of the customizable nature of stainless steel IBCs.  Mixers can be mounted to the lid of the tote and work to ensure uniform consistency of product and color.  Lightweight liquid mixers can be fitted to the large top openings for stirring low-viscous liquids such as coatings.  More powerful agitators can also be implemented to mix highly viscous liquids such as road paint.  Adding one of these units increases the applications of IBC totes to mixing, storage, and transportation.

Cleaning 

Stainless steel totes are designed for easy cleaning.  Cleaning services ensure that the totes can be reused with different paints without cross contamination.  With a properly cleaned stainless steel tote you will be able to load virtually any other product into the tank with no concern about what the previous product was.  While drums are typically for one time use, stainless steel totes can last decades when properly maintained.  This reduces disposal costs and the need to recycle lots of empty drums.  No more used drums laying around cluttering the factory floor while they wait to be properly disposed of. 

Polyethylene composite IBCs offer a cost-effective solution over drums for many chemical handling applications in the paint and coatings industry.  Metano's poly tanks are constructed from high-density polyethylene with an outer container made of a rigid welded galvanized tubular steel grid. They allow for four-way fork entry and can be stacked four high, which is perfect for high-bay warehouses.  Poly composite tote tanks are able to accommodate various liquid production operations, and the totes are UV stabilized to protect the integrity of sensitive products.

IBC Rentals

Our flexible IBC rental service is ideal for customers looking to take advantage of the benefits of stainless steel IBCs without the large up-front capitalized cost.  Renting is an ideal solution for changes in production or short-term liquid storage needs.  Metano has multiple capacities available for rent, including 350-gallon and 550-gallon stainless steel IBCs.  While needs vary, the most popular capacity is the 350-gallon stainless steel IBC. 

As a full-service supplier of IBCs, Metano is committed to helping our customers with all their IBC needs, including rental, sales, maintenance and repair, transportation, and custom application design services. Our dedicated customer service team will help you find the best IBC solution for your application.  Call us today at 800-634-4128!