10 Flexitank Facts
IT’S A CONTAINER…IT’S A BAG…IT’S BOTH!
This year SIA Flexitanks celebrate a major milestone with 10 Years in Business. What started off with a small team in Ireland has now grown to be the world’s largest independent Flexitank provider. Throughout our 10 years of Business Excellence, SIA have been diligently growing our Global Footprint and have developed safe, reliable and well-designed Flexitanks. As we celebrate 10 Years, we wanted to provide 10 Flexitank Facts. Check them out below.
1. They Hold up to 24,000 Litres
Flexitanks, also known as ‘Flexibags’, are large flexible containers which transform the conventional Shipping Container into a safe and efficient bulk liquid transport container.
Flexitanks allow for large savings to be made as they can hold up to 24,000 litres in a 20ft shipping container. 24,000 Litres equates to 6,500 Gallons. These liquid containers offer a superior alternative to ISO Tank containers for shipping juices, oils, food-grade liquids and non-hazardous chemicals around the world.
A Flexitank inside a 20ft Container
2. One Flexitank = 30,000 Bottles of Wine
Yes, that’s right. The 24,000 litres that a Flexitank can hold, is the equivalent of 30,000 bottles of wine, compared to just 9,000 bottles of bottled wine that would fit inside a 20ft container. SIA CEO, discusses the benefits of using flexitanks for wine transport in articles by Freight Waves: Bulk Booze by Sea, and the International Wine Challenge (IWC): How your shipping decisions affect the quality of your wines. Flexitanks allow you to take advantage of economies of scale when shipping wine as they are cost effective with logistical advantages and are in most cases cheaper to operate.
3. They Allow for a Temperature Controlled Transit
Did you know? Flexitanks can offer temperature controlled transport. For example, Bulk wine shipped in flexitanks is less likely to experience temperature variations during transit. This reduced temperature fluctuation in transit can improve shelf life.
Related Topic: Flexitanks for Bulk Wine Transport
4. Made from Polyethylene
The SIA Flexitank is manufactured from layers of FDA approved Polyethylene film made from virgin resin. SIA Flexitanks have exceptional mechanical and elongation properties (over 600%) under stress to deliver excellent performance and peace of mind even in the most demanding of environments. The SIA Flexitank offers the widest range of compatibility approvals in the flexitank world today and are manufactured from layers of FDA approved polyethylene film made from virgin resin and manufactured in our state of the art ISO22000 certified production facilities. Polyethylene is very durable and can carry a wide variety of products ranging from wine and edible oils to water and lubricant oils to name but a few. Premium Flexitanks include an aluminium barrier to preserve wine quality.
Our quality-tested tanks meet international standards for contact with food and non-hazardous free flowing bulk liquids, including the US FDA, German BGA and the Japanese Canning authority. Our automated manufacturing techniques and cutting edge design result in quicker production times, lower costs resulting in savings which are passed on to our customer.
Related Topic: What Liquids Can be Transported in a Flexitank
5. Flexitanks Offer *40% More Payload
Flexitanks can make large savings by transporting up to 44% MORE liquid in each container versus Drums and 15% more than IBC totes, helping to minimize freight costs. Flexitanks can hold up to 24,000 litres in a 20ft shipping container. For example, one Flexitank is equivalent to 85 Barrels and one flexitank can hold the equivalent of 30,000 bottles of wine. Holding such large quantities at once, flexitank speed up the loading process by filling only one tank, compared to 85 barrels which hold 207 litres each.
6. You Can Ship White and Red Wine Together
SIA Flexitanks have developed a 40ft flexitank (The SIA Trinity Tank) that can hold up to 27,000 Litres. This flexitank can be used in either standard shipping containers or in temperature-controlled conditions in a refrigerated unit. The three-pod system allows shippers to load white, rosé, and red wine in the same container. With the acute shortage of 20ft containers, the 40ft alternative is increasingly popular with payloads of up to 27 metric tonnes. This option offers companies much more flexibility, for example, a winery could potentially ship 60% white wine and 40% red wine. In comparison, a parcel container for example would have to be all red or all white, this emphasizes the opportunity of economies of scale presented when using flexitanks for bulk wine shipping.
SIA Trinity Tank – A Three Pod Flexitank
7. First used in World War II
Interestingly, flexitanks were first used in World War II aircraft such as the Spitfire. In the 1990s, flexitanks were made from thermoplastic (PVC and polyurethane) and had an Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) of 100-200 cc/m2/24hr). Then in 2001, our CEO Damien McClean patented his design of the Multilayer Flexitank constructed from a polyethylene film, and today, over 80% of the global market is imitating his design.
Flexitanks transformed the liquid transportation industry and nowadays, globalized Commodity trade has increased in an explosive way. Flexitank is hard to be ignored, due to its portability and economics.
8. Flexitanks Can Be Used For Water Storage
Used for portable water storage, Flexitanks are used in all types of disaster relief and emergency operations around the world. In the state of preparedness, flexitanks occupy minimal space and can be easily transported and used on the spot. In addition to fuel, portable water is another liquid that must be readily available, especially in a circumstance where it may be scarce. For instance, portable water storage is necessary for field hospitals, emergency airports, and natural disasters. A Static Storage Tank, for instance, can hold up to 100,000 liters and is made from Thermoplastic Polyurethane. They are ideal for outdoor use, emergency fire fighting, and emergency use in drought-affected regions.
Additionally, flexitanks can be used to house liquid fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and oil. They are most commonly used as fuel storage by the military and civilians in emergency situations. Quick access to fuel may be required in emergencies, and therefore flexitanks are likely to be used in field hospitals, emergency airports, and natural disasters.
SIA Static Storage Tank
SIA Static Storage Tank
9. Flexitanks = Sustainable Logistics
Not only are flexitanks more economically viable for companies, but they are also a more sustainable option for bulk shipping. The carbon footprint of a flexitank shipment is equivalent to or significantly lower than any alternatives in container shipping. The unique aspect of transporting bulk liquids using flexitanks is a low carbon solution, one-way transit. We avoid the empty back-haul transit, it is simply recycled – decreasing the carbon footprint.
For example at SIA, our reusable flexitank containers allow for zero waste in shipping – SIA Flexitanks can be reused and recycled. The SIA Global Flexi-Max, for example, is made from 100% virgin VLDPE polyethylene which when recycled, is re-processed into pellets which are then used to manufacture new items. Find out more about how SIA is developing a sustainable flexitank environment HERE
SIA is driven by a global commitment to sustainable logistics and fair trade. Our commitment includes bringing logistics technologies to manufacturers and producers that provide them with access to new markets and more trading opportunities while using fewer resources.
Shipped via Land, Rail, and Sea Flexitanks make the perfect multi-purpose shipping container for bulk liquid transport.
10. Flexitanks Minimize Costs
The easy handling processes of loading and loading a flexitank requires less labour which naturally brings down logistic expenses. The smart design the SIA Flexitank makes it a convenient process for customers with loading and unloading times reduced by up to 90% compared with drums or IBC totes.
The empty flexitank bag is laid out in the shipping container and a hose is attached to the nozzle to pump the liquid in. Once filled and sealed, the flexitank is good to go. There is no heavy lifting and no moving drums, just a hose used to fill the flexitank bag making it very efficient and cheaper in the long run.
With flexitanks, you only pay one-way international costs as there’s no need to return the Flexitank. There are no Demurrage charges on flexitanks (only on the container), again minimizing your freight charges.
Related Topic: Advantages for Logistics Operators
Why Use SIA Flexitanks?
”We are an award winning independent flexitank manufacturer and the inventors of the multi-layered Flexitank.“
SIA Flexitanks are a member of the COA – Container Owners Association, meaning that we are committed to safe, reliable and sustainable operations and strive for the highest industry standards. The SIA Flexitanks are ISO 9001:2000 and FSSC 20000 certified. We deliver the safest, most reliable, and most cost-effective solution for bulk liquid shipments and have many years of experience in liquid transportation and the design, manufacture, and operation of flexitanks.
We have offices worldwide. To find out if your product can be transported using a flexitank or to request a brochure, Please email our team at info@siaflexitanks.com
Maximum Payload
Cost Effective Solutions for Bulk Transportation
Time-SavingFastest Loading and Unloading
Safe
Wide Ranges of Compatibility & 100% tested
We have offices worldwide. To find out if your product can be transported using a flexitank or to request a brochure, Please email our team at info@siaflexitanks.com
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