Versatile and proven - PE plastic canisters

Plastic canisters made of polyethylene (PE) have long been an indispensable part of the world of packaging.

Especially as packaging for liquids with volumes of 3 – 30 litres, plastic canisters made of PE (mostly HDPE) are unrivalled. Previously used canisters made of sheet steel (for fuels) and tinplate (for chemical/technical filling materials) have been almost completely eliminated and can now only be found in niche areas. The triumph of plastic canisters is mainly due to these facts:

• Plastic canisters are very robust and yet lightweight. In contrast to metal canisters, plastic canisters can also withstand a fall from a greater height and are significantly less susceptible to transport damage.
• Plastic canisters are offered in different weight classes and therefore perfectly fulfil the requirements placed on them, while at the same time using as little material as possible.
• Plastic canisters are available on the market in stackable and non-stackable forms.
• Plastic canisters are easy to equip with different closure variants, making them even more versatile.
• The material properties of the PE plastic used are ideal (for foodstuffs as well as for mineral oils and many other products) PE plastic canisters are free from plasticisers!
• Both canister and closure are made from the same material – polyethylene. This makes plastic canisters very easy to separate into different materials and therefore very recyclable.

Some of the points mentioned above will be discussed in more detail here:

Plastic canisters can be manufactured relatively easily in different weight classes. This makes it possible, for example, to produce a stackable 10 litre canister with and without UN hazardous goods approval. This means that the canister for use with foodstuffs (no UN approval required) can be approx. 10 – 15% lighter than a canister with hazardous goods approval. As well as this, it is possible to produce canisters specifically for the three dangerous goods classes X, Y and Z and in doing so tailor them even more precisely to the customer’s requirements. The corresponding dangerous goods class with the necessary additional information is stamped onto each canister.

Another very important distinctive feature of plastic canisters is their stackability. Stackable canisters are significantly heavier and therefore more sturdily built to support the weight of canisters stacked on top of each other on a pallet, even when full. How many canisters may be stacked on top of each other depends mainly on the weight of the filling material, the volume of the canister and the quality of the outer packaging (can the canisters slide towards each other on the pallet?). In most cases, three (maximum of four canister)s on top of each other are permissible for an assumed filling with water. Non-stackable canisters make do with approx. 50% of the material used and are therefore also significantly cheaper. These canisters are often used for inexpensive products such as windscreen washer fluid or distilled water.

At least in Central Europe, the most common closure sizes for plastic canisters are DIN 51, DIN 61 and DIN 45. In addition, there are various thread sizes from different manufacturers. Therefore, be sure to check the thread designation before buying. Especially if you already have components, such as closures, in stock. At least drain cocks and caps with degassing valves are available for most thread types. Packari.com offers these for DIN 51 threads.

Canisters made of polyethylene (PE) benefit massively from the excellent properties of this plastic. PE canisters can be filled up to 85°C (can only be stacked after cooling!!). PE is extremely impact resistant, even at low temperatures. Due to the high expansion capacity, the canister can also cope well with overpressure occurring in the canister (up to the approved level). PE does not contain any plasticisers and can therefore also be used for food without any issues.

Plastic canisters are easy to separate and recycle in modern waste sorting facilities. However, plastic canisters should always be brought to the collection point when completely empty!

To the canister assortment