As a ship prepares to ferry dozens of containers of hazardous materials and chemicals from Beirut to Germany for disposal, it’s a reminder of the disaster that struck there months ago, and of the fact that every day dangerous goods and chemical shipping containers are being stored and moved all around the globe. It is absolutely essential that materials are held in the proper containers with the proper closures. Steel drums may have been around for a while, but they are as relevant as ever, especially as chemical shipping containers.
Incredibly toxic industrial chemicals such as chlorine, phosgene, and hydrogen cyanide are on our roads and shipping routes every day. While regulations allow for a range of container materials and thicknesses, thicker, heavier steel drums are far from “out of style”.
When containing any material, it is crucial that neither the material nor the container be affected by direct contact with each other. That’s why, due to it’s high corrosion-resistance, stainless steel is a popular material for chemical shipping containers. Like the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” And steel drums have been a lasting favorite because they continue to perform reliably.
That’s not to say that we don’t continue to innovate and explore new ways steel containers can support our customers and industry better. We embrace new technologies and keep our ears open to ensure we are always manufacturing the best steel drums for the job and materials. At Skolnik, we offer a range of grades and configurations of stainless and carbon steel drums all manufactured beyond regulation minimums.
As for ensuring your chemical shipping containers are properly closed, Skolnik offers customers a Quick-Lever Closure option that secures a drum in a few seconds, with no tools, no calibrations, and no torque requirements. Our customers swear by them when it comes to ease, efficiency and avoiding fines for violating closure instructions.