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Plastic IBC ban in France: Safety with stainless steel IBCs

The new regulations in France and current incidents, such as the one in Hamburg, offer an opportunity to switch to our proven and future-proof stainless steel IBCs.

In 2019, a devastating fire at a chemical plant in Rouen, France, caused considerable environmental damage. This prompted an intensive discussion about the safety of plastic IBCs for flammable liquids.

This discussion ultimately led to an ordinance that came into force on 27th May 2021. The regulation restricts the use of plastic IBCs for flammable liquids to a maximum volume of 30 litres.

For exceptions, special fire protection measures must be taken, such as storage in safety cabinets with REI 120 (comparable to F 120).

Recent incident in Hamburg

A recent incident in Hamburg emphasises the urgency of such measures and the advantages of secure container systems. On 27th August 2024, a massive fire broke out in the Billbrook district of Hamburg. This caused an enormous cloud of smoke that spread far across the city.

This affected a warehouse, in which a plastic shredder caught fire during operation. The Hamburg fire service raised the third alarm level and was on site with around 120 emergency personnel.

Two workers were taken to hospital with suspected smoke inhalation, and considerable material damage was caused by the collapse of large parts of the hall. The incident emphasises how important it is to use safe and fireproof storage systems.

SCHÄFER IBC – features, advantages and benefits

In view of these new regulations and the recent incident, stainless steel IBCs from SCHÄFER Container Systems offer a strong alternative to plastic IBCs. Our stainless steel IBCs are not only robust and durable, but also fire-resistant and safe for the transport and storage of flammable liquids.

Features of our stainless steel IBCs:

  • Fire resistance: In contrast to plastic IBCs, which only offer a limited service life and no fire resistance, our stainless steel IBCs are characterised by their outstanding robustness and fire resistance. They can withstand fire for at least 30 minutes without a sprinkler system.
  • Durability: While plastic IBCs often only have a maximum service life of five years, our stainless steel IBCs can remain in use for up to 30 years. This makes them a sustainable and environmentally friendly choice.
  • Safety: Our stainless steel IBCs are UN-approved, which guarantees maximum safety for the transport and storage of hazardous goods. They are also stackable, craneable and can be cleaned without leaving any residue.
  • Modularity and adaptability: Whether round containers, silo containers or customised special solutions – our stainless steel IBCs can be individually adapted to the specific requirements of your industry. Accessories such as agitators, level gauges, insulation and coatings are also available.

Applications and benefits for specific industries

Our stainless steel IBCs are particularly suitable for the following industries with high safety requirements:

  • Chemical and petrochemical industry: Safe handling of flammable liquids is essential in these industries. Stainless steel IBCs offer the necessary fire resistance and durability to fulfil the strict safety requirements.
  • Food industry: Stainless steel IBCs are hygienic and easy to sterilise, making them ideal for sensitive liquids and pasty substances.
  • Chemical distribution: Thanks to their robustness and durability, our stainless steel IBCs are a cost-effective solution for the transport and storage of large quantities of hazardous substances.

Increase the safety and efficiency of your processes with high-quality stainless steel IBCs from SCHÄFER Container Systems. The new regulations in France and recent incidents, such as the one in Hamburg, offer an opportunity to switch to a proven and future-proof system – to protect people, content and the environment.

Contact and advice

Our contact will be happy to provide you with further information and personalised advice.

More information

Contact person

Christof Ermert

Sales
Phone : 
+49 2735 787-578