ChemicalStorage

It depends entirely on the chemical you're storing — acids, alkalis and oxidising agents all react differently with plastics. Polyethylene (MDPE/HDPE) tanks suit a wide range of common chemicals and are the most cost-effective option, while GRP and specialist-lined tanks are used for more aggressive substances. Always check your Safety Data Sheet against the tank manufacturer's chemical resistance chart before ordering.

In most cases, yes. Environment Agency guidance requires secondary containment (bunding) capable of holding at least 110% of the tank's capacity, or 25% of total stored volume across multiple tanks, whichever is greater. This applies whether you're storing a single bulk tank or several IBCs, and integrally bunded tanks are usually the simplest way to meet this without building a separate bund wall.

Dosing tanks are smaller, precision vessels designed for metering controlled amounts of chemical into a process — think water treatment or effluent dosing — and are usually fitted or fittable with dosing pumps. Bulk storage tanks and IBCs, by contrast, are sized for holding larger reserves ready for transfer or gradual use. Which you need depends on whether the chemical is being fed continuously into a system or simply stockpiled for later use.

Start with your expected usage or delivery frequency — smaller dosing tanks suit low, controlled consumption, while IBCs and bulk tanks make sense if you're taking large deliveries to reduce reordering. Also factor in available space, since bunding requirements will add to the tank's overall footprint. If you're unsure, send us your Safety Data Sheet and usage figures and we'll help you size it correctly.

Yes — for larger or bespoke chemical storage requirements we work up a tailored quotation rather than listing every configuration online. Complete our enquiry form with your Safety Data Sheet and required capacity, and we'll specify the correct tank material, bunding and fittings for your application. This is also the best route if you need a mixing tank or another non-standard vessel.

Beyond the tank itself, most installations need a compatible transfer pump rated for the chemical in question, along with suitable hose, fittings and a lockable cabinet or compound if required by your COSHH assessment. A spill kit matched to the chemical type should be kept on site as standard practice, and washdown equipment makes routine maintenance and decontamination straightforward. We stock all of these alongside our tank range.