Bulk Chemical Logistics: 23 MT Flexitank versus IBC
Oct 26, 2026
Flexitank versus IBC and drum packing for bulk plasticizer shipments: cost per tonne, discharge and storage requirements, scenario selection table and Ningbo/Shanghai loading terms.
Bulk Chemical Logistics: 23 MT Flexitank versus IBC
When is a flexitank cheaper than IBC totes, and when is it the wrong choice? A flexitank carries around 23 MT in a single 20-foot container and is normally the lowest-cost option per tonne for full container loads. IBC totes and steel drums cost more per tonne but offer flexibility for trial quantities, warehouse storage and installations that cannot unload a flexitank. The right answer depends on volume, unloading equipment and how the material will be stored.
The three packing options at a glance
| Option | Typical quantity | Handling | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 MT flexitank | About 23 MT per 20-foot container | Pumped out through a valve | Full container loads, direct tank or silo transfer |
| 1000L IBC tote | About 1 MT each | Forklift and pump or gravity | Trial orders, staged use, multi-site delivery |
| 200L steel drum | About 0.2 MT each | Manual or forklift handling | Small volumes, warehouses without tanks, LCL cargo |
Liquid plasticizers are supplied in all three formats and are loaded from Ningbo or Shanghai for FOB or CIF terms. The trial order MOQ of 1 MT corresponds to a single 1000L IBC tote or five 200L drums.
What a flexitank actually involves
A flexitank is a food-grade or industrial-grade bladder fitted inside a standard 20-foot container, filled through a top valve and discharged through a bottom valve. It converts a dry container into a bulk liquid carrier, which is why the cost per tonne falls. It also imposes requirements that are easy to overlook.
| Requirement | Why it matters | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Discharge pump and hose | Material has to leave the bladder | Confirm pump capacity and fitting type |
| Container heel | Not all material drains by gravity | Plan for a small residual or use suction |
| Temperature at discharge | Viscosity falls or rises with temperature | Consider heated discharge in cold weather |
| Liner and valve integrity | A leak is a total loss in transit | Inspect before filling and record |
| Documentation | Customs and insurance need consistency | Keep packing list and declaration aligned |
Unloading and storage planning
The decision is often made on unloading rather than on price. A plant with a bulk tank and a pump can take a flexitank directly and avoid intermediate handling. A plant without tanks will need IBC totes, because a flexitank cannot be stored on site once it is opened. Drum packing remains useful where the material has to be carried into a production area in small lots, or where the shipment is consolidated with other cargo.
| Scenario | Recommended option | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Full container to a plant with storage tanks | 23 MT flexitank | Lowest cost per tonne, direct transfer |
| First order or qualification batch | 1000L IBC tote, or five 200L drums | Matches the 1 MT trial MOQ |
| Multiple sites from one order | IBC totes | Splits easily without repacking |
| Site without pumps or tanks | 200L drums | Handled with standard equipment |
| Mixed consolidated cargo | 200L drums or IBC totes | Fits LCL and mixed container planning |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a flexitank hold? A standard 20-foot flexitank carries about 23 MT of plasticizer. The exact figure depends on density and on the liner specification.
What is the minimum trial quantity? The trial order MOQ is 1 MT, which can be supplied as a 1000L IBC tote or five 200L steel drums.
Can a flexitank be stored after opening? No. Once discharged, the bladder is not a storage vessel, so the receiving site needs tanks or the material has to be transferred immediately.
Which port is used? Shipments are loaded from Ningbo or Shanghai, with FOB or CIF terms available.
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Trial order MOQ 1 MT (1000L IBC tote or five 200L drums) | Bulk 23 MT flexitank
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