A practical, general compatibility guide for HDPE and stainless IBCs. Use it as a starting point, then confirm against your product's SDS and the manufacturer's compatibility data.
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HDPE handles a remarkably wide range of chemistries: most aqueous solutions, most foods, most dilute acids and bases, alcohol, soap, fertilizer mix, glycol, mineral oils, sodium chloride brines. It does not handle: aromatic solvents (xylene, toluene), chlorinated solvents (TCE, perc), strong oxidizers and sustained high temperatures. Check the manufacturer's temperature rating for hot fills.
Concentration, temperature, contact time and additives all change whether a material is suitable, so a general table can't give a safe answer. Before you fill a tote:
Tell partner suppliers what the tote will hold when you request a quote, so they can say whether a unit is suitable.
Even when HDPE “tolerates” a chemistry chemically, molecules can slowly permeate the polymer over months. For volatile organics (alcohol, methanol, light aromatics) some of the contents can be lost to permeation during long storage. Stainless avoids this.
HDPE under sustained stress (a top-loaded stack, a cracked weld pulling on the bottle, a tote that's been hot-filled) plus certain chemistries (detergents, bleach, surfactants) can develop environmental stress cracking (ESC). The bottle looks fine until it doesn't. If you're using HDPE for surfactant or bleach storage long-term, inspect quarterly and rotate stock.
Include the chemistry name, concentration, temperature and contact time in your quote request, and check your product's SDS. Partner suppliers can tell you which tote options they offer for it. The wrong tote choice costs more than the right one.
HDPE handles a wide range of chemistries but not all of them. Below is a general breakdown of what it tolerates, what it doesn't, and when to consider stainless. Always check the SDS and a compatibility chart for your specific product.
Most water-based chemistries at moderate temperatures. Many dilute acids and bases. Glycols. Many alcohols. Surfactants. Food syrups (corn syrup, glycerin, fruit purees, honey at moderate temperature). Many vegetable and mineral oils. Salt brines and many fertilizer solutions.
Aromatic solvents (xylene, toluene) — can permeate. Chlorinated solvents (TCE, methylene chloride, perchloroethylene) — can permeate and degrade it. Strong oxidizers (such as concentrated nitric acid) — can degrade it. High sustained temperatures — it softens. Pressurized service — composite IBCs aren't designed for it.