In the complex world of industrial transportation, ensuring the safe and secure movement of goods is paramount. One of the critical distinctions that freight and logistics professionals must navigate is the difference between transporting chemical and non-chemical products. Chemical substances come with unique challenges, including potential hazards and stringent regulatory requirements. To safeguard against these challenges, specialized equipment, such as IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container) liners, plays a pivotal role. However, non-chemical products also have their own set of requirements, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach in choosing the right IBC liner. In this article, we will explore the key differences between chemical and non-chemical transportation needs, and how selecting the appropriate IBC liners can be the linchpin in ensuring safety and compliance.

The Distinctive Nature of Chemical Transport

The transportation of chemical products stands as a unique challenge within the logistics industry. Unlike non-chemical cargo, chemicals often pose potential hazards that demand careful handling and compliance with rigorous regulations. To comprehend these distinctive challenges, we need to delve into the intricacies of chemical transport.

Chemicals encompass a broad spectrum, ranging from benign substances to highly reactive or hazardous materials. These materials may be sensitive to environmental factors like temperature, pressure, or even slight contamination. Such sensitivity elevates the risk associated with chemical transport.

Canadian regulations governing the transport of hazardous materials, like the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act and regulations, emphasize safety. These regulations classify hazardous materials, prescribe packaging standards, and require proper documentation. Moreover, they mandate comprehensive training for those involved in the transportation chain. Compliance with these regulations is non-negotiable and adds an extra layer of complexity to chemical transport.

Role of IBC Liners in Chemical Transport

IBC liners are indispensable in chemical transportation as they serve as a protective barrier against potential leaks, spills, or contamination. These liners act as a safeguard between the chemical cargo and the IBC itself. The choice of liner material is crucial, as it must be compatible with the specific chemical being transported.

In Canada, where diverse industries rely heavily on chemical transportation, IBC liners tailored for chemical compatibility are a necessity. Liners can be constructed from various materials, including high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), each offering distinct advantages. For instance, HDPE liners are known for their durability and resistance to a wide range of chemicals, making them a preferred choice for many hazardous materials.

Additionally, the design of IBC liners incorporates features such as leak-proof seals and closures to prevent any potential escape of chemicals during transit. These liners provide an added layer of security, reassuring both shippers and regulators that chemical cargo is being transported with the highest degree of safety.

Non-Chemical Transportation: Understanding the Differences

Non-chemical product transportation diverges significantly from its chemical counterpart. While chemical substances often demand stringent safeguards, non-chemical cargo places a premium on maintaining product integrity. In this context, “non-chemical” refers to products like food items, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, which are not inherently hazardous but require specialized handling to ensure quality.

For instance, in the Canadian food industry, maintaining the freshness and hygiene of products during transit is a top priority. This involves considerations such as temperature control, protection from contamination, and minimizing physical impact. While not subject to the same hazardous material regulations as chemicals, the transportation of non-chemical goods still necessitates attention to detail and specialized equipment.

In Canada, organizations like the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) set standards and regulations for the safe transport of food products. These regulations encompass packaging, labeling, temperature control, and hygiene standards, ensuring that food products reach consumers in the best possible condition. Non-chemical transport thus demands a distinct approach to IBC liners, focusing on product preservation and quality assurance.

Choosing the Right IBC Tote Liners

When it comes to safe and efficient cargo transportation, IBC Tote Liners emerge as a versatile and indispensable solution. These liners are designed to meet the diverse needs of different industries, offering a reliable means of safeguarding both chemical and non-chemical products during transit. 

The key to successful IBC liner selection lies in understanding the specific requirements of the cargo being transported. Whether you’re dealing with chemical substances or non-chemical products like food, pharmaceuticals, or cosmetics, the choice of IBC liner can significantly impact the safety and integrity of the shipment.

For instance, when transporting hazardous chemicals, it’s crucial to opt for IBC liners constructed from materials that are chemically compatible with the cargo. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE) liners are often preferred due to their resistance to a wide range of chemicals. On the other hand, when moving non-chemical products, liners should prioritize factors such as product preservation, hygiene, and temperature control.

To explore a range of IBC liner options tailored to different cargo types, you can visit Tote Solutions, a trusted provider specializing in IBC Tote Liners and solutions designed to meet the unique demands of non-chemical transportation. Making the right choice of IBC liner is pivotal in ensuring that your cargo reaches its destination safely and in optimal condition.

Tailoring IBC Liners to Suit Specific Needs

Customization plays a vital role in the effectiveness of IBC liners. Industries often require tailored solutions to accommodate their unique transportation challenges. Whether it’s chemical products with varying degrees of reactivity or non-chemical cargo that demands specific handling, IBC liners can be adapted to suit these needs.

For chemical transport, customization may involve selecting liners with reinforced seams, double-wall construction, or specialized fittings that ensure a tight seal, preventing any leakage or contamination. In contrast, non-chemical cargo may benefit from liners with insulation properties for temperature-sensitive goods or liners designed for easy loading and unloading to minimize handling.

It’s worth noting that the versatility of IBC liners extends beyond cargo-specific adaptations. Custom printing options allow for branding, labeling, and compliance with industry standards, making them an integral part of the overall product packaging and marketing strategy.

Regulatory Compliance and Safety

Both chemical and non-chemical transportation are subject to stringent regulatory frameworks, albeit with differing emphases. While chemical transport must adhere to comprehensive hazardous materials regulations, non-chemical transport follows a distinct set of rules, often centered around hygiene and product quality.

IBC liners contribute significantly to regulatory compliance and safety in both scenarios. By selecting the appropriate liner, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to adhering to these regulations, ultimately mitigating risks and avoiding costly penalties. Moreover, IBC liners serve as a physical barrier that safeguards against potential breaches of compliance, reinforcing their role as a critical safety measure.

Conclusion

In the intricate dance of chemical and non-chemical transportation, the choice of IBC liners emerges as a critical determinant of safety, compliance, and cargo integrity. Chemical substances pose unique hazards and regulatory hurdles, while non-chemical products demand a focus on quality and preservation. IBC liners, with their versatility, protective features, and customization options, bridge the gap between these diverse transportation needs.

Whether you’re navigating the stringent regulations of chemical transport or striving to maintain the pristine quality of non-chemical cargo, the right IBC liner can make all the difference. It serves as a silent guardian, ensuring that your products reach their destination unscathed, all while complying with the necessary regulations. As we look toward the future, the continued evolution of IBC liner technology promises even greater innovation, further solidifying their status as an indispensable tool in the world of safe and compliant transportation.

The post Chemical vs. Non-Chemical: Choosing the Right IBC Liners for Safe Transport appeared first on ChemAlliance.

Now a lot of times a variety of products are advertised, and the emphasis is on the fact that they do not contain parabens, such as shampoos without parabens or deodorants. Sometimes it is advertised with such pathos that it seems as if these cosmetics can’t boast of anything else.

Parabens are preservatives, whose main task is to kill germs or, at the very least, to prevent them from multiplying.

Modern cosmetics (and many food products) simply can not be imagined without preservatives – it will be stored for no more than three days – a completely senseless period from the point of view of manufacturers. And for the users, too, in most cases it is very inconvenient.

Parabens is the common name for a whole group of substances used as preservatives. They can be:

• mitelparaben,
• ethylparaben,
• propylparaben,
• Butylparaben and others.

All of these are natural substances, derivatives of benzoic acid, which is found, for example, in cranberries and lingonberries. It is thanks to her these berries can be stored for a long time. And methylparaben, for example, is contained in blueberries.

The chemical structure and properties of parabens have begun to be studied since the beginning of the twentieth century, and closer to the thirties they began to be used as preservatives.

Nipa Hardwicke was the first company to produce (and use, respectively) parabens on an industrial scale. Basically, it used them to add them to pharmaceutical products. In chemical language, they are methyl and propyl parabens.

Bactericidal properties

All of these substances have antimicrobial activity of a very broad spectrum. These include:

• Staphylococcus aureus;
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
• Escherichia coli;
• pathogenic mold fungi;
• and many others.

It is their growth and reproduction that benzoic acid derivatives stop. This is due to their mechanism of action – they change the permeability of cell membranes of pathogens. Because of this, bacteria can not assimilate glucose and other substances necessary for life.

Applications

For starters, these are commonly used food additives:

• methylparaben – E218,
• ethylparaben, E214,
• Propylparaben – E216.

In what products can they be found?

• Canned foods (mostly fish),
• mayonnaise,
• Sauces of all kinds,
• butter,
• bread,
• Confectionery.

The total content in food ranges from 0.04 to 0.1%. This is based on such calculations that the daily intake did not exceed 10 mg per 1 kg of body weight.

In addition, which is where today’s article began, they are widely used in cosmetics. Moreover, if only one substance is added, according to the norms, its mass fraction should not exceed 0.4%. If a mixture of substances is added, it is 0.8%.

By the way, unlike shampoos, deodorants very rarely contain parabens.

Another big area of application is pharmaceuticals. The most popular “users” of parabens are “Acyclovir”, “Hydrocortisone”, “Hondroxid”, “Codelac”, “Diclofenac”, “Solcoseryl”.

They contain these preservatives ranging from 0.01 to 0.07%.

The list is not limited to the above drugs, of course. This includes syrups, ointments, gels, toothpaste, tinctures, drops, even gelatin capsules.

Benefits and harms

Since there are now many rumors about the harm of parabens, as I already mentioned at the beginning of this article, naturally, scientists could not pass by and conducted many studies. The most extensive were the experiments of American scientists conducted in 1997-2008 on rodents, which showed that parabens are virtually nontoxic, as they are quickly eliminated from the body.

The rumors about hormonal activity of parabens were also disproved as a result of these studies. It turned out that methylparaben has no such activity at all, and the rest of its brethren exhibit weak similarity to the properties of estrogens (female hormones) only in concentrations:

• 4,000 times more than they are in cosmetics;
• 25,000 times more than they are in food.

So, there can be no effect on hormonal shifts in the body.

The possibility of breast cancer has also not been confirmed by studies.

It has now been definitely confirmed that methyl and ethyl parabens are safe for health in the concentrations in which they are used. The data on the other substances in this group are currently being refined.

The post What are useful and harmful parabens in cosmetics and food products appeared first on ChemAlliance.

Nevertheless, lipstick wasn’t very popular – you can’t make it in stock, you can’t take it with you, it’s liquid, it’s not handy. But at the beginning of the twentieth century, everything changed – lipstick was mixed with deer fat to make it hard, and then almost modern twist-off tubes were invented.
In the late forties, lipstick production was automated, and its victorious march across the planet began.

Composition

Naturally, over these 60-70 years, the chemical composition of lipstick has changed and is very different from what it was at the beginning of history.

The main five components are:

• base,
• dyes,
• pigments,
• preservatives,
• fragrance,
• additives.

And almost 95% of it comes from the first ingredient.

The base

It consists of waxes and wax-like substances. They are needed for the lipstick to be firm, easy to apply to the lips and to stay well on them. Their total amount is usually about 30%.

The most common ones are:

• beeswax,
• carnauba wax,
• candelilla wax,
• rose wax,
• Animal wax lanolin (derived from sheep’s wool),
• paraffin.

Naturally, all these components are very expensive, especially carnauba and candelilla waxes, so they are partially replaced by synthetic fat-like products such as:

• butyl stearate,
• isopropyl palmitate,
• isopropyl myristate.

Waxes are needed in lipstick to bind all the components of its composition, to give the resulting mixture uniformity, hardness and plasticity. It is thanks to them that a persistent film is formed on the surface of the lips. And as the waxes have a melting point of 60 to 80 degrees (Celsius), thanks to them, the lipstick does not smudge on the lips.

The next equally important component of the base is the oils. They make up about 65% of the total substances. Most often it is castor oil. Sometimes olive oil or synthetic oils are added (to make the cost cheaper).

The role of the oil is to dissolve the dyes in the lipstick, not to let them precipitate out, but to spread evenly over the entire volume and to beautify your lips just as evenly.

The next ingredient is dyes.

Most often these are synthetic substances that are obtained (as a byproduct) from petroleum and coal tar.

Of course, there are also natural dyes, the most common of which is carmine, which gives shades of light pink to red-purple. It is derived from wheat worms. To be honest, I do not know what they are, but I do know that they have an unenviable fate: to obtain the dye, they are boiled in sodium carbonate, and then – in alum potassium alum.

The result is red crystals, which are used as a dye not only in cosmetics (now rare), but also in cooking (often). This is the food additive E120, which is actively used in the production of beverages, jams, marmalade.

Both natural and synthetic dyes dissolve in the oils and fats that are part of the lipstick base. They do not produce a stable color, because they are transparent and are highly photosensitive, which makes them quickly “fade” in the light. That is why pigments are added to help them.

Pigments

They can also be natural or synthetic.

Natural ones are obtained by grinding natural materials – mica, quartz, and some fish scales. The first two materials are cheap, but the last significantly increases the cost of lipstick, so it is used only in elite cosmetics.

However, they all have the same effect – to give a pearly shine to the lipstick.

Synthetic pigments are most often iron and titanium oxides. They are responsible for the color.

Iron oxides make all possible shades of red, and titanium oxide dilutes them to produce pink.

Preservatives, additives, fragrances

Do you really think there are cosmetics without preservatives? No, there isn’t! They are added even to homemade cosmetics, it’s another matter what kind. That’s what we’re going to talk about.

Without preservatives any lipstick will turn into something bad smelling and rancid after three days, even if you follow all the rules for storing cosmetics. They are designed to protect against oxidation.

There are many kinds of preservatives, but in any case – as safe as possible for your health. They used to use formalin and boric acid, but then abandoned it. Now it is mostly different salts of benzoic acid in very small amounts.

As for fragrances, I don’t think there’s any question of their necessity – without them, you’ll just go crazy with the smells of the fats in the base. Especially lanolin is guilty of this. That’s why most often nowadays not pure lanolin is added to lipstick, but its modification – oxyethylated lanolin, which has no smell.

However, there are quite a few people who can not stand the smell of cosmetics. Such people have to carefully choose both lipstick and all other cosmetic products.

The post What lipstick is made of: the benefits and harms of its constituent substances appeared first on ChemAlliance.