Advantages of using plastic for logistics

Plastic tanks are widely used for transporting various types of cargo – water, agricultural products, chemicals. Plastic containers are in high demand in the logistics industry, confidently displacing metal competitors from the market. Reasons to choose plastic for logistics:

• low weight – 5 times lighter than metal;
• affordable price – 4 times less than metal;
• resistance to corrosion – no need for regular treatment with protective agents;
• easy maintenance – dirt does not linger on the smooth surface;
• increased elasticity – high resistance to expansion loads;
• chemical inertness – the transported goods do not change their taste and properties when in contact with the walls.

Plastic products are suitable for use in any weather conditions, resistant to ultraviolet radiation and high humidity. An additional advantage is a wide operating temperature range from -30°C to +50°C. Plastic containers are universal. They are designed for transportation and further storage of cargo, which eliminates the need to reload products from shipping containers to storage containers. As a result, labor and time costs are reduced.

Separately, it is worth noting the increased resistance to mechanical stress. The strength of some plastics is close to that of metals. Low weight is of particular importance in the context of transporting raw materials and products. Due to the reduced weight of the cargo, fuel costs are reduced, which increases the efficiency and profitability of cargo transportation.

Use of plastic containers for transportation

The undeniable advantages of using plastic for logistics have led to its wide application in various fields of activity. Plastic is a universal material that is suitable for the manufacture of containers of various shapes and sizes. Modern technologies, including rotational molding, make it possible to manufacture seamless tanks. As a result, the strength of the product and resistance to mechanical external influences – accidental impacts, vibration during movement on an uneven road surface – are significantly increased.

An additional advantage of plastic tanks is durability. The service life reaches 50 years, which makes the purchase of plastic containers economically feasible. Due to their resistance to fungus and mold, plastic containers are ideal for transporting goods in the food and pharmaceutical industries, where compliance with sanitary and hygiene requirements is important. What is plastic used for in logistics:

• transportation of milk, juice, vegetable oil, honey, cereals, granulated sugar;
• transportation of live fish;
• delivery of fertilizers, acids, alkalis and other chemical compounds;
• transportation of wine, cognac and other alcoholic beverages.

The same container can be used to transport different products. The only rule is to wash it thoroughly before loading a new product.

The inner surface is easy to clean with a brush and water with the addition of detergents and disinfectants. After washing, it is necessary to thoroughly rinse the tank with clean water to remove any remaining detergent.

Plastic containers are subject to repeated recycling, which is associated with environmental protection and preservation of the environment. The absence of sharp edges and protruding elements reduces the risk of injury to employees who perform loading and unloading operations.

Plastic containers for transportation: features

Plastic tanks for logistics vary in capacity, which varies between 50-10,000 liters. The main features of plastic tanks for transportation:

• Increased wall thickness – more than 5.5 mm.
• Stiffeners to give the structure increased strength.
• The presence of breakwaters to dampen the movement of liquid when driving on an uneven road.

Plastic tanks for logistics are made of polyethylene. Models differ in shape and color. For transportation, it is recommended to choose horizontal tanks, which better maintain a stable position under vibration loads.

Rules for transporting plastic containers

Considering the advantages of using plastic in logistics, many enterprises are switching to this type of transport packaging. To transport goods in plastic tanks, trucks with a flat and wide loading platform are used. The width and length of the loading platform must exceed similar indicators for the tank. For loading products with a volume of more than 500 liters, lifting mechanisms and loaders are used. When manually loading large tanks, the risk of damage to the body increases. Basic rules for transportation:

• Installing the tank on a pallet or a special support to ensure a stable position.
• Placing the tank according to the correct orientation. Horizontal models are installed horizontally, vertical ones – vertically.
• Fixing the tank with tensioning belts.
• Checking the compliance of the vehicle’s lifting capacity and the weight of the plastic container filled with cargo.

Before loading, the tank is checked for the integrity of the body, the absence of cracks and other surface damage. After installation on the loading platform, the hatch with a screw-on lid should be located on top. The speed of the truck is 50-60 km / h.