The Present Guide Will Present All the Essential Information You Should Know About Used Metal Drums in Bulk Dubai UAE Products
Even though you may not have realized it, there are many benefits to purchasing used metal drums instead of new ones.
It’s a fact that it’s very costly to purchase new metal drums for all the industrial needs. If you’re operating a chemical plant, a lubricants business, a food processing facility or a logistics business – drum costs quickly mount up. Which is why thousands of businesses throughout Dubai and all over the UAE opt to purchase used metal drums in bulk.
This is NOT a compromise. Smart procurement in terms of cost, sustainability, and a robust industry for reconditioning used drums to ensure they are safe and perform like new.
What Are Used Metal Drums And Are They Safe To Use?
Used metal drums are steel or iron drums that have been previously used to store or transport liquids, chemicals, food products or dry goods, and have been cleaned, inspected, reconditioned, and certified for reuse.
Pressure washing, interior/exterior cleaning, dent repair, repainting and leak testing are common reconditioning activities. The Dubai reconditioning standards are followed by reputable suppliers, and many suppliers provide drums with UN certification, which means that they have undergone the same testing as hazardous goods transport drums. The United Nations guidelines for reconditioned drums recommend that they be tested to the same standards as new drums of the same design type.
Yes, used metal drums are safe to use IF they are from a reputable supplier.
The Industrial Drum Market in the UAE
The UAE market is one of the most dynamic industrial packaging markets in the Middle East. Dubai, in particular, is the regional hub for trade, with Jebel Ali Port processing more than 14 million TEUs per year, making it the biggest port in the Middle East and among the world’s top ten. This volume of trade generates a major demand for industrial packaging – such as metal drums.
These industries are fueled by an increasing demand for oil and gas, petrochemicals, paints and coatings, food and beverage, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and general manufacturing. Every one of these industries routinely relies on metal drums and all of these industries benefit from an order of reconditioned metal drums to control costs, and ensure supply continuity.
Shopping for Used Metal Drums in Bulk in Dubai Offers Several Advantages
The buying of used metal drums in bulk in Dubai has several advantages.
When it comes to purchasing large quantities from a reputable Dubai supplier, your business has a number of distinct benefits.
There are huge savings to be made. Price of used metal drums varies according to condition, grade, quantity (30-50 percent less than new drums of same specification). When you are buying hundreds or thousands of units per month for a business, the difference does make a difference to bottom line.
Supply reliability improves. If you have a bulk ordering agreement with a Dubai supplier, you minimize your reliance on the global shipping network. Lead time is reduced, logistics is cheaper and stock can be replenished quickly when there is a rush.
Reducing targets for sustainability is made easier. The UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative has highlighted the importance of the UAE government’s commitment to the principles of the circular economy and sustainable business practices. The use of reconditioned drums over new drums also helps to conserve raw materials, cut down on carbon emissions and help in your company’s environmental policies.
The area is well-supplied with the product. The industry is well developed in Dubai with many packaging vendors based in industrial areas such as Al Quoz, JAFZA and within the Jebel Ali industrial zone. In fact, it is possible to find a supplier who can provide bulk supply in timely fashion here.
When Purchasing Bulk Used Metal Drums, You Should Consider Several Factors
Not every used drum is created equal, nor are all drum suppliers. Before ordering in bulk, make sure you familiarize yourself with these points.
The initial step to confirm is to check reconditioning quality. Inquire from your supplier what type of cleaning and inspection is performed. A professional supplier will be able to tell you what they do to recondition the product, which includes pressure washing, checking the interior coatings, testing the structural integrity, and leak pressure testing. If they can’t describe in detail how they do their work, that is a warning sign.
The UN certification is important when you are storing or moving classified products. Search for drums with the UN mark as they have undergone tests for drop, stacking load, hydraulic pressure, and vibration as per the international dangerous goods regulations.
The grade of the material should be compatible with the intended use along with its thickness. The normal standard industrial steel drums are usually made with 0.9mm to 1.2mm thick sheet steel. Thicker gauge drum is recommended for concentrated acids, high density liquids or aggressive chemicals applications. Please check the specification before ordering in bulk.
It is important to declare honestly previous contents. A drum which was formerly used to store vegetable oil for human consumption can be cleaned and used in a variety of applications. A drum containing some industrial chemicals could have residues and/or corrosion that may cause it to be unusable for later purposes. On bulk purchases ask your supplier for the previous use declaration.
The drum type (open head vs. tight head) should be compatible with the filling/dispensing technique. Open head drums have a removable lid, and are more convenient for loading viscous or solid materials. Tight head drums are drums with heads that are permanently attached and have bung openings and are used for liquids in which little air exposure is required.
The UAE Has Established Several Standards for Metal Drums
The UAE has laid down a few standards for metal drums.
The 200 litre (or 210 litre) steel drums are the most widely used size in Dubai and UAE across all the industries. This is the international norm for industrial liquid packaging and the size you’re most likely to easily find in the used drum market.
The diameter of the drums is approximately 572mm and the height is approximately 851mm with a gross weight capacity of approximately 250kg depending on the wall thickness. They are available in open head (1A2) and tight head (1A1) designs to fit various filling and transport needs. These classifications are based on the code system for industrial packaging of the UN Model Regulations (also referred to as the Orange Book).
How to Source Used Metal Drums in Bulk in Dubai
There are several ways to get bulk used drum supplies in Dubai.
Having direct supplier relationship with drum reconditioning organisations in industrial areas such as Al Quoz or JAFZA ensures the highest probable price and quality control. These suppliers usually have extensive ready stocks and are able to deliver in bulk with a short lead time.
Industrial trading companies also provide reconditioned drums, frequently from a variety of reconditioning companies under one account and with a larger selection of specifications.
Alibaba, Made in China or local directories such as Tejara and Dubai Yellow Pages provide lists of verified drum suppliers in the UAE. They are helpful for initial short listing and price benchmarking however, before ordering a large bulk, always have a physical site visit or video inspection.
Of course, trade shows and industrial exhibitions are a great place to meet industrial suppliers face-to-face, such as Adipec and the Gulf Packaging and Plastics show in Dubai, to check the quality of their products.
If You Are Planning to Purchase Used Metal Drums for Various Reasons, You Should Know How Many Prices They May Require
When buying used metal drums in bulk in Dubai, you should know what they may cost you.
Price will change depending on the condition, grade, quantity and current steel market rates of the drums. In the UAE, reconditioned 200-litre steel drums can cost anywhere from AED 25 to AED 60 per drum, with the price going down with the quantity ordered. AED 80 – 120 per drum for new drums depending on specification.
These numbers are average and may change according to the market price of steel and the availability of the material in the area. Get a written estimate from three suppliers before entering into a large contract.
Final Thoughts on Buy used Metal Drums in bulk Dubai
One of those decisions that pays off in several ways — not only financially, as you save on the price of used metal drums in Dubai — but also in time, environmental impact, and the availability of a well-established local market with known suppliers — is to opt for used metal drums or drums in bulk.
The key is doing ones duty. Ensure reconditioning criteria are verified, check UN certification if applicable, ensure previous contents, and set up a supplier relationship that is transparent and of a consistent quality. Once you’ve got these basics down, used metal drums offer just what your operation is looking for — without the high price tag of new drums.
There are a number of industrial packaging suppliers in Dubai that will be able to supply you with bulk drums that you require. The raw materials are available. The quality standards are in place. All you have to do is ask the right questions before finalizing purchase order.