Safety in the event of fire, durability and recyclability speak in favour of stainless steel

Neunkirchen, 30 Sept. 2024. The critical behaviour of plastic IBCs in the event of fire is a constant source of discussion, most recently at the end of August following a major fire in Hamburg. For the safe handling of liquids or pasty substances, modern stainless steel containers are therefore coming into focus. The high resistance of stainless steel IBCs to chemical reactions and fire makes them a suitable alternative for protecting people, the environment and contents. Stainless steel IBCs are also superior to plastic when it comes to aspects such as durability, sustainability and reusability.

The issue of the safety of plastic containers for the storage and transport of flammable liquids has been the subject of intense debate for some time. In 2019, there was a devastating fire at a chemical plant in Rouen, France, causing considerable environmental damage. One consequence of this is that plastic IBCs larger than 30 litres for flammable liquids are now banned in France – with the declared aim of strengthening safety and environmental protection.

It was only at the end of August 2024 that a major fire in the Billbrook district of Hamburg made national headlines: A plastic shredder system that shreds plastic IBCs caught fire in a warehouse during operation. The fire brigade had to fight the large fire from hundreds of these plastic containers for hours. The cloud of smoke was visible for over 30 kilometres and the hall was largely destroyed.

In view of the critical fire behaviour of plastic IBCs and new regulations, stainless steel IBCs from SCHÄFER Container Systems are a convincing alternative. While plastic melts quickly when exposed to fire and releases its contents in an uncontrolled manner, stainless steel IBCs can withstand a fire for at least 30 minutes without a sprinkler system. This has been confirmed by tests at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM).

In the event of a fire, pressure relief valves and stable closures serve to minimise hazards and ensure maximum safety for the storage and transport of flammable liquids. The suitability for hazardous goods is also reflected in the UN approval that stainless steel IBCs from SCHÄFER Container Systems have.

Certified stainless steel IBCs are permanently approved for the transport of hazardous goods. The prerequisite for this is that the containers are regularly inspected by an expert or an inspection centre in accordance with BAM GGR 002. For comparison: Plastic IBCs lose approval for transporting hazardous goods after five years from the date of manufacture at the latest or are even only used as single-use packaging. One of the main reasons for the limited service life is that environmental influences such as UV radiation and chemical exposure cause the plastic materials to degrade and become unstable over time.

In order to fulfil different requirements, SCHÄFER Container Systems offers a wide range of stainless steel IBCs, from round containers and silo containers to special solutions. These all-round talents fulfil high requirements for chemical resistance and fire resistance and are used, for example, in the chemical and petrochemical industries, the food industry and chemical distribution. Easy cleaning, the highest hygiene standards thanks to efficient sterilisation and decades of re-utilisation are among the economic and ecological benefits.

Frameless IBC reusable stainless steel containers are available in various dimensions, including the basic size of an industrial pallet. The cubic SCHÄFER Skid BTU made of stainless steel (volumes 500 to 1000 litres) with international approvals for land and sea transport allows for the direct replacement of plastic IBCs thanks to its basic dimensions of 1200 x 1000 mm.

Another advantage: Stainless steel IBCs can remain in use for up to 30 years thanks to their superior material properties and can then be fully recycled – "Metal recycles forever". This means that they are not only safe and durable, but also represent a sustainable, environmentally friendly and resource-saving solution that helps companies to optimise their carbon footprint.