IBC tote chemical compatibility (HDPE) reference.
HDPE is generally compatible with most aqueous acids, bases, salts, alcohols and detergents at ambient temperature; it calls for caution with strong oxidizers, concentrated acids and some solvents; and is not recommended for aromatic/chlorinated solvents, fuming acids and hot product. Ratings depend on concentration, temperature and gasket — always verify with an SDS and the manufacturer before filling.
This chart is guidance, not a guarantee.
The ratings below are a general reference for HDPE at ambient temperature and typical concentrations. They are not a substitute for the manufacturer's published resistance data or your product's Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Before you fill any tote:
- Always verify with the SDS and the tote manufacturer. Chemical resistance changes dramatically with concentration, temperature, pressure and contact time — a chemical that is fine when dilute and cool may attack HDPE when hot or concentrated.
- Confirm the gasket, valve seat and cap seal material. The bottle is only one part of the system; an incompatible EPDM, Viton/FKM or Buna-N seal will fail long before the HDPE does.
- Used totes must match prior contents. A reconditioned or used tote should carry only a product compatible with both HDPE and any residue of what it previously held. Never cross-fill incompatible chemistries.
- Regulated, hazardous or DOT-classified products require a tote with the correct UN rating and marking. Ask us before you order.
IBC Tote Recycling Services provides this information in good faith and accepts no liability for its application. When in doubt, contact us and we'll help match the right tote to your chemistry.
Routinely stored in HDPE at ambient temperature and typical concentration; long service life with a matched gasket.
Usable within limits, but check concentration, temperature and contact time; expect shorter service life or venting needs.
Attacks, swells, stress-cracks or permeates HDPE. Use a purpose-built container and confirm before any trial.
Acids
Dilute aqueous acids are HDPE's strong suit; oxidizing and concentrated acids are not.
| Substance | Typical concentration | HDPE rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfuric acid | Dilute–~70% | Generally compatible | Common IBC acid; >70% / fuming becomes oxidizing — use caution and rated tote. |
| Hydrochloric acid | Up to ~37% | Generally compatible | Widely shipped in HDPE; vent for off-gassing; EPDM/Viton seals. |
| Nitric acid | >30% / concentrated | Use caution | Strong oxidizer; dilute may be OK, concentrated embrittles HDPE over time. |
| Acetic acid | Glacial / dilute | Generally compatible | Generally fine; glacial permeates slowly — confirm for long-term storage. |
| Phosphoric acid | Up to ~85% | Generally compatible | Well tolerated across the range; standard EPDM gasket. |
| Citric acid | Solution | Generally compatible | Food-grade friendly; use a food-grade tote for edibles. |
Bases & caustics
HDPE resists strong hydroxides well — heat is the main limiter.
| Substance | Typical concentration | HDPE rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) | Up to ~50% | Generally compatible | Excellent resistance cold; hot caustic derates — mind temperature. |
| Potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) | Up to ~50% | Generally compatible | Similar to NaOH; EPDM gasket standard. |
| Ammonia / ammonium hydroxide | Aqueous solution | Generally compatible | Compatible; vent for vapor pressure; keep cool. |
Solvents
Polar alcohols are fine; ketones and non-polar solvents permeate or swell HDPE.
| Substance | Type | HDPE rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethanol | Alcohol | Generally compatible | Well tolerated; watch flammability class and grounding. |
| Isopropanol (IPA) | Alcohol | Generally compatible | Compatible; confirm gasket for high-purity/electronics grades. |
| Acetone | Ketone | Use caution | Permeates and can stress HDPE over time; attacks Viton/FKM seals badly. |
| Glycols (ethylene / propylene) | Polyol | Generally compatible | Antifreeze and coolants store well in HDPE. |
| Aromatic / chlorinated solvents (toluene, xylene, MEK) | Non-polar | Not recommended | Swell, soften and permeate HDPE — use a purpose-built container. |
Oxidizers
The trickiest class for HDPE — concentration and stabilization decide everything.
| Substance | Typical concentration | HDPE rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen peroxide | Up to ~35% | Use caution | Needs vented cap for oxygen off-gassing; higher grades require rated totes. |
| Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) | ~5–15% | Use caution | Gradually degrades HDPE and generates gas; vent and rotate stock. |
| Nitric acid (concentrated) | >30% | Use caution | Oxidizing acid — see Acids; embrittles HDPE over time. |
Salts & fertilizers
A core strength — agriculture runs on HDPE totes for a reason.
| Substance | Form | HDPE rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAN (urea-ammonium nitrate) | Liquid fertilizer 28/32 | Generally compatible | Standard IBC crop nutrient; see agriculture. |
| Brine / sodium chloride | Solution | Generally compatible | Fully compatible; common in water treatment and de-icing. |
| Calcium chloride | Solution | Generally compatible | Well tolerated; dust control and de-icing brine. |
Surfactants, oils & food products
Detergents and edibles need the right grade of tote as much as the right rating.
| Substance | Class | HDPE rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soaps & surfactants (anionic/nonionic) | Cleaners | Generally compatible | Ideal; industrial-grade totes suit detergent blends. |
| Mineral & motor oils, lubricants | Petroleum | Generally compatible | Compatible with HDPE; use Buna-N or Viton seals (EPDM swells in oil). |
| Vinegar | Food | Generally compatible | Use a food-grade tote (see the food-grade guide); acetic acid is HDPE-friendly. |
| Syrups & sweeteners | Food | Generally compatible | Common in food-grade IBCs; food-grade gasket required. |
| Edible oils | Food | Generally compatible | Compatible; specify food-grade seal (EPDM swells, use Viton where needed). |
| Juice & concentrates | Food | Generally compatible | Food-grade tote and gasket; mind sanitation and prior contents. |
Gasket compatibility: EPDM vs Viton/FKM vs Buna-N
The bottle can be compatible while the gasket fails. Match both.
| Chemistry | EPDM (standard) | Viton / FKM | Buna-N (nitrile) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water-based acids & bases | Good | Good | Fair |
| Oils, fuels, lubricants | Poor (swells) | Excellent | Good |
| Ketones (e.g. acetone) | Good | Poor (attacked) | Poor |
| Strong oxidizers | Fair | Good | Poor |
| Hot caustics | Good | Poor | Fair |
Need a different seal, valve seat or cap? Our accessories & parts catalog stocks EPDM, Viton and food-grade gaskets, plus valves and adapters — reclaimed and new.
Temperature & UV limits of HDPE.
Chemical resistance is only half the story — HDPE has physical limits that change how it behaves. Continuous service typically runs from about -40°F up to roughly 140°F (60°C). Above that, the bottle softens, loses stiffness and becomes markedly more vulnerable to the very chemicals it otherwise resists. Hot fill and heated product demand a confirmed bottle rating.
UV exposure is the other silent limiter. Uncovered HDPE stored outdoors slowly chalks, embrittles and can stress-crack. Store totes indoors or under cover, keep them out of direct sun for long-term outdoor use, and consider UV-inhibited or opaque bottles for exposed sites. Sun-degraded bottles are a common reason a used tote drops out of high-grade reuse — see our guides for handling and storage best practice.
Grade and prior contents decide what a used tote can safely hold.
Compatibility isn't only about your new product — it's about what came before it. A used tote carries a trace of its prior contents, so the safe fill is any product compatible with both HDPE and that residue. That's why we grade every tote: food-grade units only ever held food-safe contents; industrial units held non-hazardous industrial liquids; reconditioned units are washed, pressure-tested and re-valved; and rebottled units get a brand-new HDPE interior. Read grades explained and tell us your chemistry so we match the right tote.
Chemical processing solutions →Quick answers.
Are IBC totes made of HDPE chemically resistant to most substances?
Can I store sulfuric or hydrochloric acid in an HDPE IBC tote?
What gasket material should I use for my chemical?
What temperature can an HDPE IBC tote handle?
Do used IBC totes need to match their prior contents?
Not sure your chemistry fits?
Send us your product and concentration and we'll help match the right tote, grade, gasket and rating — verified against your SDS. We reply by email within one business day.