In short: an IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container) is a large-capacity container for 300 to 1,000 litres of liquid: an HDPE plastic bottle inside a galvanised steel cage on a pallet, with a screw lid on top and an outlet valve at the bottom. It sits between the drum (up to 220 litres) and the tanker, can be moved with a pallet truck or forklift, stacked and emptied directly through the valve. Private households mostly come across it as a rainwater tank, businesses as a transport and storage container for chemicals, oils, cleaning agents and food raw materials.
How an IBC is built
- Inner bottle: extrusion blow-moulded HDPE tank, usually translucent natural white so you can see the fill level; also available in black for UV-sensitive contents.
- Cage: welded steel tube frame, hot-dip galvanised. It carries the load of the contents and makes the IBC stackable.
- Pallet: wood, plastic, galvanised steel or composite. Plastic and steel pallets are more hygienic and longer-lasting, wood is cheaper.
- Lid: screw lid with a diameter of 150 or 225 mm, often with a vent valve.
- Outlet valve: DN 50 ball or butterfly valve with an S60x6 thread to which couplings, hoses and taps can be connected.
Sizes, dimensions and weights
| Volume | External dimensions (L × W × H) | Empty weight | Weight filled with water |
|---|
| 1,000 litres | 1,200 × 1,000 × approx. 1,160 mm | approx. 50–65 kg | approx. 1,050–1,070 kg |
| 600 litres | 1,200 × 800 × approx. 1,010 mm | approx. 40–50 kg | approx. 650 kg |
| 300 litres | 800 × 600 × approx. 1,000 mm | approx. 23 kg | approx. 325 kg |
The footprint of the 1,000-litre IBC matches an industrial pallet. That makes it practical for logistics, but it demands a firm, level base: a tonne of water on little more than a square metre presses paving and lawn edging into the ground. A concrete slab, compacted gravel or a strip foundation is a must.
New, rinsed, reconditioned or rebottled?
These terms decide the price and the use:
- New: unused, with a declaration of conformity for food contact or UN approval. The right choice for drinking water, food raw materials and anything that must be verifiably clean.
- Rinsed (used): the previous contents have been rinsed out and the IBC has been leak-tested. Sufficient for rainwater, irrigation water and grey water, not for drinking water or food. Ask about the previous contents when buying.
- Reconditioned: cleaned, inspected, damaged parts replaced.
- Rebottled: used cage with a brand-new bottle. Technically almost as good as new, considerably cheaper, often with UN approval.
UN approval: when it is required
An IBC with a UN marking (for example 31HA1/Y) may carry dangerous goods of packing groups II and III, such as cleaning agents, acids, alkalis or flammable liquids of the permitted class. Inspection intervals apply for dangerous goods: a leak test every two and a half years and replacement of the inner bottle after five years. If you only collect rainwater or store brine, you do not need UN approval.
The IBC as a rainwater tank: what to look out for
- Algae: the translucent bottle lets light through and the water turns green in summer. The remedy is a black bottle, a light-proof cover or a timber surround that also blends the tank into the garden.
- Frost: empty before the first frost or fill to no more than 85 per cent so the ice can expand; open the valve, otherwise it will burst.
- Mosquitoes: keep the lid closed and fit a filter basket to the inlet.
- Connection: adapters to 3/4-inch or 1-inch threads fit the S60x6 outlet, and a garden hose can be connected directly. The pressure stays low: a full IBC delivers around 0.1 bar at ground level.
When a drum is the better choice
An IBC is worthwhile when more than 300 litres are regularly involved and a forklift or pallet truck is available. For the home, garden, workshop and small businesses, drums and canisters are usually more practical: they fit through doors, can be moved by hand, cost less and need no foundation. We do not currently stock IBC containers, but we do carry the complete range below them:
For trade enquiries about bulk containers, we are happy to help by e-mail at info@wilaigmbh.de with an assessment of which container suits your application.
Frequently asked questions
What does IBC stand for? Intermediate Bulk Container: bigger than a drum, smaller than a tank.
How much does a full 1,000-litre IBC weigh? Around 1,050 to 1,070 kg with water, correspondingly more with denser liquids.
Can I use a second-hand IBC for drinking water? Only if it is new or rebottled and has food contact conformity. Rinsed used IBCs are intended for rainwater and grey water.
Can I stack two IBCs? Empty, yes; full, only if the manufacturer and pallet type explicitly allow it; in the garden a full IBC should always stand on the ground.
What is S60x6? The coarse standard thread on the outlet valve, 60 mm in diameter with a 6 mm pitch. Adapters to common hose and pipe threads are available from specialist suppliers.
Last updated: September 2026
As of: September 2026
