How can foldable IBCs help solve your supply chain challenges?

Companies across Europe are currently in the middle of the “perfect storm” caused by rising raw material, labour, and transport costs coupled with supply constraints. Food, beverage, and cosmetic businesses transporting bulk liquids across Europe are not immune to these pressures and are seeking new industrial packaging solutions to mitigate these challenges.

One solution forward-looking companies are turning to is pooled or rented foldable plastic intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), leaving behind the disadvantages of rigid bulk containers such as Schütz containers, stainless steel containers, and plastic bins.

Foldable plastic bulk containers not only offer greater operational performance whilst protecting valuable margins but are also more environmentally friendly. They are also an option for most markets and applications, unlike rigid alternatives which have a limited range of industrial applications.

More companies can enjoy the benefits of making the switch to reusable foldable plastic bulk containers highlighted below:

Businesses looking to transport bulk liquids have seen the cost of rigid, metal IBCs increase from around EUR 100 to EUR 120-140 per unit, posing a challenge for companies looking to control costs and remain competitive. 

Compared to rigid IBC solutions pooled foldable IBCs are a better solution from an operational and sustainability point of view and do not require a significant upfront investment. Companies can redirect capital expenditures elsewhere, enhance their financial flexibility and focus valuable resources where they are needed most. 

Compared to rigid IBC solutions pooled foldable IBCs are a better solution from an operational and sustainability point of view and do not require a significant upfront investment. Companies can redirect capital expenditures elsewhere, enhance their financial flexibility and focus valuable resources where they are needed most. 

Furthermore, above average fuel costs are making it more expensive to return rigid containers. In contrast, foldable IBCs have lower return transport costs as they can be stacked more efficiently in a truck. For instance, 182 foldable IBCs can be transported in one trip compared to only 40 rigid IBCs. Additionally, when using foldable IBCs as part of a pooling solution, used assets  are collected from the customer’s location, serviced and washed, and sent on to another customer locally, further reducing reverse logistics costs, 

For products such as viscous liquids (e.g., nut butter, custards, and pastes), rigid IBCs can lead to significant product waste as it is difficult to extract all the product from the container. Not only does this impact the bottom line but it also contributes to undesirable food waste.  

With bag-in-box foldable IBC solutions, however, specialised squeeze systems can extract all the product, reducing waste significantly. For instance, one food industry customer sending expensive nut butter to Spain went from 70kg of wasted nut butter left in a rigid IBC to under 2kg using a bag-in-box solution with a squeeze system. This resulted in savings of EUR 200,000 per year! 

Finally, for products and industries that require aseptic filling, the container used to transport and store the contents must meet stringent hygiene standards. Rigid bulk containers being used to transport food stuff must be sterilised each time, which can be costly, time-consuming, and difficult. However, with foldable IBCs that use sterile liners, aseptic filing can be achieved at a lower cost as the liner is already aseptic, only the connection to the containers needs to be sterilised.  

In addition to all these benefits, foldable bulk containers are stackable and take up considerably less storage space when empty than rigid IBCs. For instance, seven foldable IBCs take up the same amount of space as one rigid metal cage IBC with a plastic bladder inside.  

Foldable plastic IBCs can be fully recycled at the end of their service life, reducing their life cycle environmental impact. Couple this with lower transport emissions and less waste and you get a truly sustainable solution. For companies facing mounting pressure to meet sustainability goals and obligations, making the switch to foldable reusable bulk containers, especially as part of a pooling solution, can make a big impact. 

The bottom line 

Tosca’s foldable bulk containers are cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and space efficient.  

They help companies not only achieve their sustainability goals but also enhance their supply chain and cost efficiencies. 

Achieving the true potential of foldable bulk containers is easy when you trust the right partner to deliver the right solution for your business.

Calculate the benefits of upgrading to foldable liquid IBCs and how much you could save by upgrading your current solution to pooled, foldable IBCs from Tosca. Click here.