Innovative Collapsible Plastic Drum Offers Better Cube Utilization and Volume Efficiency

Buckhorn, a leading provider of reusable plastic packaging and material handling systems, is introducing a collapsible 60-gallon plastic drum at this year’s Pack Expo®. The patent pending drum is recyclable and is designed specifically for the food, powder and liquid handling markets.

“Buckhorn is committed to providing customer-driven innovations that maximize returnability, reusability and sustainability across a variety of markets,” said Rob Tieman, Director of Sales and Marketing. “Our research has shown customers are demanding a collapsible alternative to the steel, fiber and plastic drums currently in their systems – one that will offer a better return ratio, more warehouse space and increased profitability.”

Buckhorn’s new drum has a 24” x 20” x 40” footprint. It includes three main components—a base, sidewalls and lid. All parts are designed with offset surfaces and interlocking flanges so that no cracks exist in the joints, minimizing the potential for contamination. The drum has two security tie holes per lid. The inside and outside surfaces of the sidewalls are smooth for ease of cleaning. The sidewalls are also hinged in the center for a one-way inward fold, allowing the drum to fold flat in seconds.

Its unique rectangular design allows four assembled drums to interlock and cube a 48” x 40” pallet, stacking five pallet loads high in storage. The drums work with wood pallets or Buckhorn’s Universal Pallet. Because of its smaller footprint and greater capacity, Buckhorn’s 60-gallon drum offers 25% better cube utilization than the standard 55-gallon alternatives currently on the market. The volume of product that can be shipped in four Buckhorn drums would require five 55-gallon drums. Additionally, 480 collapsed drums fit in a 53’ truck for a superior 3:1 return ratio. Altogether, that is significant space and cost savings with Buckhorn.