Stainless steel Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC)

Glatt container solutions provide a standardized, hygienic and flexible basis for handling powders and granules – from weighing and storage to transport and downstream processing.

IBC – the backbone of pharmaceutical product handling

In Glatt’s product handling concept, the Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) is used as a closed pharma container that accompanies the product throughout multiple process steps. Whether weighing, mixing, storing, transporting, or documenting powders and granules: For every application, we offer a range of standardized, modular stainless steel containers in square or round designs, with or without additional features.

Designed for GMP‑compliant pharmaceutical manufacturing, these stainless‑steel IBCs ensure hygienic handling, secure containment and high process reliability for powders and granules. The IBC serves as a systematic link between charging, storage, transport and processing, enabling continuous material flow without unnecessary product transfers.

As a standalone unit, the stainless steel container ensures safe containment and hygienic handling. At the same time, it can be seamlessly connected to downstream equipment, making it a flexible and reliable carrier for both product and process information.

Container blender – controlled container blending as a dedicated process step

Sealed container blending with controlled motion

For blending operations, the closed IBC is combined with a dedicated IBC blender. The IBC blender is the machine that performs the mixing process by positioning, clamping or lifting the filled container and rotating it under defined conditions.

Glatt’s container-based blending concept keeps the product inside the IBC throughout the entire process. This eliminates unnecessary product transfers, reduces cleaning effort, and minimizes exposure to sensitive materials. During operation, the pharma container is securely docked into the IBC blender frame, locked in place with validated safety systems and rotated at controlled speeds and angles.

Reproducible mixing and scalable blending concepts

The blending effect is generated solely by the controlled movement and geometry of the container itself. No internal mixing tools are required. This principle minimizes mechanical stress on the product and enables reproducible, homogeneous mixing results for powders and granules.

IBC blenders from Glatt are designed for both laboratory and production use. The same pharma containers can be used across Glatt’s container mixer platforms – from CML laboratory systems to larger production‑scale blenders – ensuring consistent handling principles, identical container interfaces and reliable scale‑up performance from development to full‑scale manufacturing.

Safe, ergonomic, and contamination-controlled handling

Designed for operator safety and process integrity

Glatt IBCs are equipped with defined lifting points, docking interfaces and secure locking mechanisms. These features support safe charging, blending and discharge operations while reducing manual handling and ensuring stable positioning throughout the process.

Depending on the application, our pharma containers can be configured with different inlets, outlets and connection options to integrate seamlessly with upstream and downstream equipment.

Supporting handling equipment for integrated material flows

Complementary lifting, docking and clamping systems ensure precise container positioning and stable operation during blending and transfer. This integrated handling concept improves workflow efficiency while maintaining strict hygiene and containment requirements.

Benefits of Glatt stainless-steel pharma containers and IBC blender solutions

IBC as a standardized pharma container for storage, transport and processing
Clear functional role of the IBC blender as the dedicated mixing machine
Flexible batch sizes supported through modular IBC volumes
Hygienic, GMP-compliant stainless‑steel construction
Dust‑tight, contained processing to protect operators and product
Minimal cleaning effort due to sealed blending inside the IBC
High reproducibility and homogenous mixing results
Seamless scale-up using identical IBC handling principles

All these benefits provide a proven and solid foundation for handling pharmaceutical products and mixing in IBCs.

Flexible IBC solutions for pharmaceutical laboratories and production sites

GMP-compliant construction for critical applications

Glatt IBCs are manufactured from high‑grade stainless steel and designed specifically for GMP‑regulated pharmaceutical production. Polished product‑contact surfaces, dust‑tight sealing systems and defined geometries ensure hygienic handling, secure containment and reproducible cleaning results.

The standardized design supports validation, simplifies cleaning procedures and enables consistent use of the same IBC across different process environments.

Standardization through modular product lines

Based on close collaboration with customers and the experience gained over the past few years, Glatt has developed a modular range of standard containers.

With this modular design concept, Glatt offers IBC sizes ranging from small laboratory containers to large production units. Different volumes follow the same interface and handling principles, allowing flexible batch sizing while maintaining identical workflows from R&D to manufacturing.

Systematic binding element

Glatt stainless steel containers have proven to be an effective link between the individual process steps.

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Contact us today and find the perfect pharma container for your unique needs!

Whether you need a flexible IBC, a dedicated IBC blender, or a complete product handling concept, our experts support you in defining the right solution for your process.