Plastic drums play an essential role across various industries due to their durability, reusability, and compatibility with a wide range of materials. From industrial manufacturers to food processors and pharmaceutical companies, these containers provide a reliable storage and transportation solution for liquids, solids, and hazardous materials.

Industries That Rely on Plastic Drums

Plastic drums serve a wide range of industries, each with unique storage and transportation needs. Some of the most common customers include:

• Industrial Manufacturers & Processors – Used for storing and transporting raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods.
• Chemical & Petrochemical – Essential for storing and handling chemicals, solvents, and certain hazardous materials.
• Pharmaceutical & Biotech – Frequently used for transporting medicines, medical devices, and health-related products.
• Food & Beverage – Ideal for storing ingredients, finished products, and packaging materials.
• Agricultural – Commonly used for transporting animal feed, fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides.
• Government & Military Organizations – Utilized for various supply chain needs, including emergency response and troop provisions.

Tight-Head vs. Open-Head Plastic Drums

Most plastic drum customers require tight-head drums, which are ideal for storing liquids due to their secure, leak-proof design. On the other hand, open-head drums are widely used in environmental waste remediation and hazardous solid material storage. Open-head drums come in both tapered and straight-sided varieties, with UN ratings for solid hazardous materials.

Why Choose Plastic Drums?

Plastic screw lid drums are particularly robust and easy to clean, making them reusable for multiple applications. Their reusability not only reduces packaging waste but also aligns with sustainability efforts by minimizing the carbon footprint associated with packaging production. New plastic drums are primarily used for water-based materials or other substances that are compatible with plastic.

The most common plastic drum colors are blue, black, natural/translucent, and white. Blue, natural, and white drums meet FDA standards for food packaging. Among the best-selling options are 15- to 55-gallon tight-head drums, primarily in blue or natural. While custom colors like red, green, or yellow are available, they require larger minimum order quantities from manufacturers.

The Advantage of Purchasing from Distributors

While plastic drum manufacturers typically require a minimum order quantity of 100 units, many customers prefer to purchase from distributors to access a variety of sizes and configurations without high volume commitments. Tapered drums, which nest inside one another, offer a freight advantage over straight-sided drums by maximizing trailer capacity. However, due to the challenge of filling full truckloads, distributors like BASCO provide an essential service by offering smaller quantities to meet customer demands.

Plastic drums are an indispensable part of multiple industries, providing safe, durable, and cost-effective storage solutions. Whether for industrial processing, hazardous material containment, or food-grade applications, their versatility makes them a preferred choice. For reliable and high-quality drums tailored to your specific needs, contact BASCO.  Get in touch today!