If you’re looking for a hardwearing yet cost-effective industrial storage and transport solution, then fibre drums could be the perfect option for your business.
They might be manufactured from cardboard, but fibre drums are UN rated, weatherproof and fantastically protective. That makes fibre drums surprisingly durable and well suited to meeting an impressive range of industrial needs.
If you’re considering purchasing fibre drums for your business, then read on as the expert team at ITP explain just how durable they really are.
Are Fibre Drums Waterproof?
Fibre drums are manufactured using a form of strong cardboard known as kraft paper. Highly versatile, kraft paper can be produced to be weatherproof and waterproof, a quality that’s highly desirable if storage or transport areas are exposed to the outside elements.
But while fibre drums can be waterproof, it’s important to note that not all fibre drums are produced to be waterproof. Many fibre drums are designed to be used inside, so waterproofing isn’t always a necessary feature.
If you need waterproof fibre drums though, these are readily available. The kraft paper can be given an extra layer of waterproof plastic, which works as a highly effective barrier against moisture.
Can Fibre Drums Be Stored Outside?
Waterproof fibre drums are designed to be stored in outside areas, and they can cope with large quantities of rainfall and bad weather. While waterproof fibre drums are well suited to this role, it’s a good idea to keep them undercover where possible.
Fibre drums that haven’t been waterproofed can also be kept outside, but should be covered or kept under a waterproof tarpaulin to protect them.
How Durable Are Fibre Drums?
Although they’re made from cardboard, fibre drums are incredibly durable. Kraft paper is a strong, resilient form of cardboard (it’s certainly not flimsy) and it’s able to withstand blows and offer a strong level of protection.
Both the main spherical body of a fibre drum as well as the top and bottom of the container are produced from this resilient material. In addition, the best fibre drums are made even stronger through the addition of a metal chimb. This metal ring is added to the top and bottom, not only holding the cardboard together, but adding an extra layer of protection at pivotal points in the drum’s structure.
Metal lever closing rings allow fibre drums to be firmly sealed, ensuring that the products stored inside are securely protected. They’re UN rated, which means they’re specifically designed and manufactured to meet industrial needs – and to have that rating they have to be durable.
As with many other industrial containers, fibre drums can be used in conjunction with drum liners to add an extra layer of protection. This is particularly important when storing potentially hazardous goods or if you need to avoid contamination.
What Are the Common Uses of Fibre Drums?
Durability is just one of the reasons why fibre drums are so popular. They’re also produced in a range of different sizes, from small 26-litre drums up to large 200-litre drums. Fibre drums are UN rated, ensuring they can safely hold hazardous or dangerous goods. They can hold both liquids and solids, and this means they’re well suited to a number of different storage and transport uses.
The most common uses for fibre drums in an industrial setting include storing:
- Food and beverages
- Pharmaceuticals
- Chemicals
- Hazardous materials
Why Choose Fibre Drums Over the Alternatives?
Fibre drums are a worthy alternative to traditional industrial packaging solutions such as steel barrels or plastic drums. Fibre drums offer an excellent level of protection, and they can store many of the same liquids and semi-solids – such as chemicals and pharmaceuticals – that other types of industrial containers do.
The biggest advantage of fibre drums is their cost-effectiveness. Because they’re primarily produced from cardboard, fibre drums have a much lower price tag than plastic or steel containers. As an environmental bonus, cardboard fibre drums are recyclable, too.
Contact ITP Packaging for More Information on Fibre Drums
Cost-effective, versatile and incredibly durable, fibre drums are an excellent industrial storage and transport solution.
ITP Packaging stocks a comprehensive range of fibre drums, and our expert team is ready to advise you on the best options for your business. Contact our packaging experts today to find out more about fibre drums.
