5 Factors That Are Influencing IBC Tote Design Trends

Even the most popular packaging materials aren’t immune to the changes that are currently sweeping through multiple industries. IBC totes, a cornerstone of shipping and packaging for numerous industries ranging from food to OEM parts, are now seeing some of these ripple effects from larger commercial and industrial trends. At Air Sea Containers, we know that one of the best ways to help our customers is to keep them informed on the changes that are affecting our industry. What are the factors that you can expect to see working their way through the IBC tote industry in the next several years? And how might they affect your business? Our packaging experts will help you sort through some of the major trends to look for.

1. Increased popularity of rectangular IBCs.

As businesses look to optimize their efficiency any way they can, the rectangular shape of IBC totes has made them increasingly popular. Square or rectangular IBCs offer superior stackability and space saving compared to packaging methods like shipping drums, which often don’t utilize cargo space to its maximum potential. Look for IBC manufacturers to continue to push the efficiency aspects of their products further, while businesses make more investments in IBC handling capacity.

2. Going lighter, leaner, and greener.

The green packaging revolution is in full swing, bolstered by consumers’ willingness to pay more for goods that are produced and packaged sustainably. Of course, designing lighter packaging also offers major bottom-line advantages, such as decreased materials use and potentially lower fuel costs from transporting lighter packaging. That means that many packaging materials are now going through a downgauging process, being redesigned to use less material. One great example: how FIBCs (flexible IBCs such as paperboard models) have recently increased their market share compared to traditional rigid IBCs. This trend is likely to continue as manufacturers seek the best way to right-size their packaging.

3. Lighter parts in the automotive industry.

The automotive industry is currently moving toward a lighter and smarter approach to parts design. In many cases, IBC totes weren’t a good shipment option for older, heavier parts models—but with newer lightweight designs taking over, automakers are now exploring the potential of IBCs for efficiently shipping these parts. This will become especially important as the auto industry’s supply chain continues to expand internationally, making highly efficient shipping options like IBCs an excellent choice.

275 Gallon IBC Plastic / Poly Tote, Food Grade (New)

4. Increased scrutiny on food safety issues.

After some expensive and high-profile food recalls in 2018, food safety is on everyone’s mind. That means that, increasingly, every element of the supply chain is analyzed and traced, including the IBC totes that are often used to ship food and beverage products. In this more heavily scrutinized regulatory environment, it’s more important than ever to have a reliable source of food grade plastic totes with a reputation for quality and excellent customer service.

5. A move toward rentals and the sharing economy.

Many industries are making big movies into the sharing economy, which prioritizes the perks of access to goods without the burdens of ownership. Industry experts are reporting an increased interest in pooling and rental among companies that use IBC totes, particularly among OEMs who are scrambling for efficiency in a rapidly changing market. For those who aren’t quite ready to jump into full Uber mode with their shipping materials, refurbished IBC totes can be a great option to save money and resources.

What Does This Mean for Packaging in General?

As the IBC tote industry grapples with these changes, it’s reasonable to expect that other packaging methods soon will as well. It’s likely that we’ll see big growth for any materials that are more efficient, eco-friendly, and traceable, as well as a realignment of existing products to achieve these goals. At Air Sea Containers, we’re putting in the work to make sure that we stay current with packaging industry trends. We’ve already got numerous eco-friendly packaging materials available, as well as custom-fabricated corrugated boxes that can help you save on transport costs by building boxes that don’t waste space or packaging. We also now have numerous options for reconditioned shipping barrels and drums available so you can get the drum you need at a substantially lower cost. And of course, as always, our top-notch selection of IBC totes continues to make us an industry leader in all kinds of shipping solutions. When you need to keep on top of the best and most current packaging available, trust Air Sea Containers to already have it covered. We’ve got a great range of IBC totes available, both new and reconditioned. For more information on our selection of IBC totes or any general packaging questions, call Air Sea Containers at (866) 596-9448 or contact us online.