Steel drums are a versatile, long-lasting and cost-effective form of industrial drum that have a vast number of uses across many different industries. Fantastically robust, steel drums can be used to store everything from petrol and chemicals to food and drink. UN rated steel drums can even be put to work hauling hazardous waste for safe disposal!
Given the range of potential uses, steel industrial drum containers are utilised as storage and transport solutions in industries as diverse as the pharmaceutical industry, food and beverage, construction, aviation, and more.
In this article, we ask our expert team at ITP Packaging to give us a rundown of the industries that benefit most from steel drums.
What Can Steel Drums Be Used For?
Industrial drum solutions, particularly steel drums, can be used in almost any industrial storage and transport capacity.
The industrial steel drums stocked by ITP Packaging are UN certified and produced from food-grade material, which means they can safely store industrial chemicals or be used to carry foodstuff.
With the addition of drum liners and other accessories, the potential uses for a steel drum are expanded even further. Don’t forget, that an industrial drum can be reused time and time again. Throughout its lifetime, numerous companies can use a single steel drum across various industries.
In general, there are a number of common needs that steel drums meet. These include:
- Storing liquids
- Storing paints
- Storing fuel (particularly petrol and diesel fuel)
- Storing industrial oils and lubricants
- Storing construction materials (sand, for example)
- Storing pharmaceuticals
- Storing solvents and chemicals (both hazardous and non-hazardous)
- Storing foodstuffs (this includes cooking oils, spices powders, etc.)
- Storing hazardous waste
Any food or drink should be stored in drum liners before being placed into a steel drum to avoid cross-contamination. It’s also important to have drums thoroughly cleaned after every use, particularly if you’re storing different goods each time.
As with any form of industrial drum, it’s important that you select the correct form of storage for your needs. While steel drums are incredibl0y versatile, some materials are better suited for storage in plastic drums. Drinking water is the best example – steel drums can rust over time if water is stored inside them, which affects the quality and taste of the water.
Which Industries Use Steel Drums?
With so many potential uses, it’s no surprise that almost any industry in the UK could make use of steel drums. However, there are certain industries that rely heavily on steel drums to meet their storage and transport needs.
Let’s take a look at these in more detail.
Transport and Logistics
Steel drums are the mainstay of the transport and logistics industry. Shipping companies use steel drums to transport goods and materials overseas, trucking companies haul steel drums all over the country, while warehouses are stocked to the rafters with steel drums in storage.
Steel drums are also used to store the petrol and diesel that fuels the logistics industry. Aviation fuel, lorry fuel, and all sorts of necessary lubricants and industrial materials that keep the industry going are stored in steel drums.
Building and Construction
The building and construction industry needs steel drums to store and transport many of the construction materials needed to build homes, houses, office blocks, apartments, shopping centres, etc.
Construction sites need materials such as sand and concrete, as well as lubricants, paints, protective materials and the fuel to run their machinery. All of this can be stored in steel drums.
Food and Beverage
While individuals won’t be purchasing their weekly shop and storing it in a steel drum, the food and beverage industry requires steel drums to meet industrial needs.
Catering companies supply industrial quantities of sauces, spices, powders, cooking oils, and any other liquid or semi-liquid foodstuffs in food grade steel drums.
Medical
The medical industry requires steel drums to safely store and transport medical equipment, as well as medicines and pharmaceuticals.
The pharmaceutical industry is one of the biggest users of steel drums, as the drums can be used to bulk transport the necessary chemicals, liquids and materials needed to produce medical products.
Contact ITP Packaging to Find Out More About Steel Drums
Steel drums are one of the most effective forms of industrial packaging that your company could use on a day-to-day basis. Steel drums are well suited to a variety of roles across a wide range of industries, offering cost-effective, versatile and long-lasting industrial storage and transport solutions.
If you’re looking to source high quality industrial drum and packaging options for your business, don’t hesitate to contact ITP Packaging today for more information.
