The market for the IBC rental business is estimated to reach a market size of USD 1,440.8 million in 2025 and is projected to increase to USD 2,704.6 million by 2035. It is expected to increase its sales at a CAGR of 6.5% over the forecast period from 2025 to 2035. Revenue generated from the IBC rental business in 2024 was USD 1,352.9 million.
The Chemicals Industry captures 35% of the overall market. Efficient bulk storage and transport are mandatory for both hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals. To minimize the amount dedicated to capital investment, gain flexibility within the supply chain, and comply with strict regulations related to safety, chemical manufacturers prefer renting over buying Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs).
Most importantly, IBCs are also helping companies deal with volatile fluctuations by ensuring maximum containment, as they are leak-proof, corrosion-resistant, and United Nations-certified for the transportation of chemicals. Additionally, rental options are preferable for businesses that need to upgrade or change containers, as they avoid incurring a significant investment.
Global IBC Rental Business Industry Forecast
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Industry Size (2025E) | USD 1,440.8 Million |
| Industry Value (2035F) | USD 2,704.6 Million |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 6.5% |
The IBC rental business market is expanding due to the rising demand for economically advantageous, flexible, and sustainable transportation solutions for bulk liquids and materials. Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) rental helps companies minimize capital investment, maximize storage, and comply with regulations without incurring long-term obligations.
The chemicals, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and oil and gas industries are the primary drivers of demand. The transition towards circular economy operations, focusing on reuse and sustainability, is also increasing market growth. Furthermore, technological advancements in tracking technologies, including RFID and IoT-based IBCs, enhance supply chain efficiency, making rental solutions more attractive to international companies.
The IBC rental business market is expected to expand with lucrative opportunities during the forecast period, as it is estimated to provide an incremental opportunity of USD 1,351.7 million and is projected to increase by a factor of two by 2035.
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The table below presents the expected CAGR for the global IBC rental business market over several semi-annual periods spanning from 2024 to 2034.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 6.3% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 6.7% (2024 to 2034) |
| H1 | 5.9% (2025 to 2035) |
| H2 | 7.1% (2025 to 2035) |
In the first half (H1) of the decade from 2024 to 2034, the business is expected to surge at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%, followed by a slightly higher growth rate of 6.7% in the second half (H2) of the same decade.
Moving into the subsequent period, from H1 2025 to H2 2035, the CAGR is projected to decrease slightly to 5.9% in the first half and remain relatively moderate at 7.1% in the second half. In the first half (H1), the market experienced a 40-basis-point (bps) decrease, while in the second half (H2), it saw a 40-basis-point increase.
Growing Demand for Flexible Supply Chain Solutions
Intermediate bulk container leasing is experiencing growing demand, with businesses from the food and beverage (F&B), chemical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural sectors requiring flexible and affordable supply chain solutions. This flexibility avoids significant capital expenditure on leasing, saves on storage costs, and facilitates efficient inventory management.
Because the raw material prices and production cycles are still in flux, the sector requires short-term rental plants that can adapt to the varied patterns of demand. Additionally, with IBC renting, the company would have no issues in terms of maintaining the units, cleaning, and managing compliance, as these tasks will be handled by the rental service providers.
The growth in global trade and just-in-time inventory (JIT) has caused various industries to shift towards leasing rather than buying containers. The flexibility of increasing or decreasing the number of containers according to seasonal demand, as offered in the leasing alternatives, makes leasing IBCs a cost-effective and flexible option for supply chain management.
Increasing Emphasis on Sustainability and Circular Economy
IBC rental supports a circular economy by making packages reusable and recyclable, thereby reducing packaging waste and carbon footprint. The majority of the rental companies provide IBCs that are environmentally friendly, reused, refurbished, and that meet international sustainability standards.
Companies in Europe and North America face additional pressure to comply with stringent environmental legislation. Such legislations favor rental over single-use containers. The other major industries, such as chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, also choose to rent IBCs, along with the maintenance, certified cleaning, and safety compliance that come with it, for the safe transportation and storage of hazardous goods.
As industries shift towards green logistics and carbon-free operations, market demand for eco-friendly IBC rentals is expected to increase, driving market growth.
Logistical and Tracking Issues in Rental IBC Management
Logistics and tracking management will identify the most important growth inhibitor for IBC rental business marketing. Since the rented IBCs may be spread across various industries and locations, following the movements, returns, and conditions of an individual container can involve considerable effort.
The timely return and prevention of loss or damage to the containers necessitate an efficient tracking system, RFID tags, and IoT-based monitoring. The mere challenge in this shall enhance the operation cost incurred by the rental provider.
Hygiene and safety compliance in industries such as food and beverages, and pharmaceuticals, requires strict cleaning processes prior to placing an IBC into immediate service.
| Key Investment Area | Why It’s Critical for Future Growth |
|---|---|
| Sustainability & Circular Economy | Investing in reusable and refurbished IBCs will reduce waste, promote sustainability objectives, and align with environmental guidelines. |
| Fleet Expansion & Customization | Providing a range of IBC sizes, materials (steel, plastic), and specialized coatings will address a range of industries including chemicals, food, and pharmaceuticals. |
| Cost-Effective & Scalable Solutions | Creating adaptive rental models (short-term and long-term) and optimizing logistics will help companies reduce capital investment and make it more affordable. |
| Smart Tracking & IoT Integration | The integration of GPS, RFID, and real-time monitoring will enhance asset tracking, inventory control, and supply chain optimization. |
| Regulatory Compliance & Safety Standards | Compliance with UN/DOT and food-grade certifications will make IBC rental a viable and reliable option for transporting both hazardous and non-hazardous materials. |
The global IBC rental business market experienced a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% from 2020 to 2024. Overall, the IBC rental business market performed well, growing positively and reaching USD 1,352.9 million in 2024, up from USD 1,088 million in 2020.
The IBC rental market increased continuously between 2020 and 2024, driven by rising demand for cost-effective, flexible, and environmentally friendly bulk container packing solutions in the chemical, food and beverages, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries.
Businesses opted for IBC rental rather than purchase to reduce capital expenditure, optimize warehousing space, and optimize supply chain processes. Innovations in fleet management, IBC tracking solutions, and reconditioning processes were also driving growth in the market.
| Market Aspect | 2020 to 2024 (Past Trends) |
|---|---|
| Market Growth | Consistent growth due to cost-reducing advantages for firms, rising bulk liquid shipping, and expansion in the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. |
| Material Trends | Predominance of HDPE plastic and stainless steel IBCs for liquid and hazardous material shipping. |
| Regulatory Environment | Adherence to UN, DOT, ADR, and EPA regulations on hazardous goods transportation and food-grade approval. |
| Consumer Demand | Strong demand from the chemical, food, and beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors is seeking cost-saving bulk storage. |
| Technological Improvements | Increased automated cleaning systems, barcode/RFID monitoring, and fleet management programs for rented IBCs. |
| Market Aspect | 2025 to 2035 (Future Projections) |
|---|---|
| Market Growth | Sustained growth due to increasing sustainability issues, adoption of the circular economy, and requirements for reusable packaging solutions. |
| Material Trends | Move toward lightweight composite IBCs, RFID-equipped smart containers, and entirely recyclable materials. |
| Regulatory Environment | Increased regulation on reusable packaging requirements, extended producer responsibility (EPR), and carbon footprint reduction in transportation. |
| Consumer Demand | Growing trend towards trackable, reusable, and intelligent IBCs with real-time monitoring for supply chain optimization. |
| Technological Improvements | Increased applications of AI-driven inventory management, IoT-enabled IBCs for real-time location, and robotic sanitization operations. |
| Factor | Consumer Priorities (2020 to 2024) & (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Product Availability & Convenience |
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| Sustainability |
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| Cost & Pricing |
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| Performance (Strength, Durability, Compliance) |
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| Regulatory Compliance & Safety |
|
| Innovation & Smart Rental Solutions |
|
| Factor | Manufacturer Priorities (2020 to 2024) & (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Product Availability & Convenience |
|
| Sustainability |
|
| Cost & Pricing |
|
| Performance (Strength, Durability, Compliance) |
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| Regulatory Compliance & Safety |
|
| Innovation & Smart Rental Solutions |
|
From 2025 to 2035, demand for IBC rentals is expected to increase due to the growing emphasis on environmental regulations, circular economy practices, and the need for effective logistics solutions. IoT-based IBC tracking, RFID inventory management, and green reconditioning processes will fuel market expansion.
Further driving demand will be the growth in hazardous material handling, liquid bulk transportation, and just-in-time inventory management, with an emphasis on sustainability, cost savings, and operational flexibility.
Tier 1 companies comprise market leaders that capture a significant market share in the global market. These market leaders are characterized by their high production capacity and extensive product portfolios. These market leaders are distinguished by their extensive expertise in manufacturing across multiple packaging formats and a broad geographical reach, underpinned by a robust consumer base.
They provide a wide range of services, including recycling and manufacturing, utilizing the latest technology and meeting regulatory standards, while delivering the highest quality. Prominent companies within tier 1 include Good Pack Ltd., Hoover Ferguson Group, Inc., Precision IBC Inc., and Hoyer Group.
Tier 2 companies comprise mid-sized players with a presence in specific regions and a significant influence on the local market. These are characterized by a strong presence overseas and strong market knowledge.
These market players possess good technology and ensure regulatory compliance, but may lack advanced technology and a broad global reach. Prominent companies in tier 2 include TPS Rental Systems, Brambles Ltd (Chep Ltd..), Schoeller Allibert B.V., Arlington Packaging Ltd., Arena Products Inc.
Tier 3 includes the majority of small-scale companies operating at the local level and serving niche markets. These companies are notably oriented towards fulfilling local market demands and are consequently classified within the tier 3 share segment.
They are small-scale players and have limited geographical reach. Tier 3, within this context, is recognized as an unorganized market, denoting a sector characterized by a lack of extensive structure and formalization when compared to organized competitors.
| Region | 2020 to 2024 (Past Trends) |
|---|---|
| North America | Growing demand from the food, chemicals, and pharmaceutical industries for flexible logistics. |
| Latin America | Moderate growth due to cost-saving benefits and rising industrial activities. |
| Europe | Strong market presence due to strict packaging and circular economy regulations. |
| Middle East & Africa | Increasing use in oil & gas, chemicals, and agriculture for bulk liquid transport. |
| Asia Pacific | Fastest-growing market driven by rapid industrialization and export-oriented businesses. |
| Region | 2025 to 2035 (Future Projections) |
|---|---|
| North America | Increased adoption of IoT-enabled and trackable rental IBC solutions. |
| Latin America | Expansion of rental services with eco-friendly and reusable IBC options. |
| Europe | Greater demand for sustainable and automated IBC rental management systems. |
| Middle East & Africa | Growth fueled by industrial expansion and demand for cost-efficient logistics. |
| Asia Pacific | Large-scale investments in rental fleet expansion and smart tracking technologies. |
The section below provides a forecast for the IBC rental business market by country. Information on key countries in several parts of the globe, including North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia, the Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa is provided. The USA is expected to account for a CAGR of 5.4% through 2035. In Europe, Spain is projected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% by 2035.
| Countries | Value CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| USA | 5.4% |
| Germany | 5.0% |
| China | 7.4% |
| UK | 4.9% |
| Spain | 6.1% |
| India | 7.6% |
| Canada | 5.2% |
The food and beverage, as well as the chemical industries, in the USA form the backbone of the IBC rentals business market. Indeed, the chemical industry demands safe, robust, and compliant storage systems in handling hazardous liquids, bulk solvents, and industrial chemicals, making the rental IBCs a sought-after option with their reusability and compliance with strict safety regulations taken into account by organizations like the USA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT).
Meanwhile, the food and beverage industry continues to experience increased demand for bulk liquid transportation, primarily used for transporting edible oils, syrups, dairy products, and alcoholic beverages. IBC rentals enable the scaling up of operations without requiring significant capital investment, making them economically friendly and adaptable.
Expansion in food delivery services and e-commerce, along with high demand for beverage manufacturing, has driven the need for bulk liquid transport and storage, thereby fueling the growth of rental IBCs in the US market.
Germany's strict environmental policies and sustainability concerns are the primary forces driving the IBC rental business market. The country has implemented strict waste reduction measures under the German Packaging Act and the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, encouraging companies to adopt reusable and recyclable packaging.
IBC renting aligns with Germany's sustainability goals, featuring a closed-loop system that minimizes packaging waste and reduces carbon footprints. In addition, industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food processing place a premium on high-grade storage and transportation services that meet hazardous material regulations.
IBC rentals are an environmentally friendly alternative to single-use containers with guaranteed maintenance, cleaning, and regulatory compliance assistance. Numerous German companies are investing in smart tracking equipment for rental IBCs, which contributes to higher efficiency and supply chain transparency in an environmentally friendly manner. The enduring passion of Germany for green logistics is creating an increasing demand for rentals of IBCs.
The section contains information about the leading segments in the industry. In terms of material type, plastic IBC are being estimated to account for a share of 48% by 2025. By volume, standard 1,250 Liters is projected to dominate by holding a share above 37% by the end of 2025.
| Material Type | Market Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Plastic IBCs | 48% |
A majority of the rental business remains intact when it comes to Plastic IBCs because of low-cost, lightweight, and high chemical resistance. They are highly robust and suitable for use in various industries, including food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. It requires less maintenance, which actually reduces rental expenses compared to metal IBCs, making it a cost-effective option for companies.
The most significant drivers propelling the application of plastic IBCs in any industry have been the growing awareness of reusable and sustainable packaging, where the long lifespan of service and recyclability are the key requirements.
| Volume | Market Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Standard 1,250 Liters | 37% |
1,250 liters IBC stands for the most owing to large amounts of the volumes for which it can be used for both transport and storage functions while being small for space saving in each case. These are the IBCs preferred across the industries using bulk transport for their products, like chemicals, oil & lubricants, and pharmaceuticals.
For the optimization of logistics and costs, businesses that employ these co-packers find that an IBC provides better utility than drums and other smaller containers. Also, companies will prefer this size because such an increasing tendency favors renting, more than buying, IBCs for reasons of flexibility and scalability in storage capacities.
The Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) Rental Business Market is expanding rapidly due to the increasing demand for cost-effective, reusable, and sustainable bulk packaging solutions across various industries, including chemicals, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and industrial manufacturing.
IBC rental services offer businesses flexible, short-term, and long-term storage and transportation solutions, eliminating the high initial investment associated with purchasing new containers. Rising sustainability concerns, stringent packaging regulations, and the growth of the global supply chain drive the market.
With technological advancements such as IoT-enabled tracking systems and RFID-based inventory management, rental companies can provide real-time monitoring, asset tracking, and predictive maintenance, further enhancing the value of rented IBCs.
However, challenges such as high maintenance costs, container contamination risks, and logistical complexities in rental management may pose hurdles for market growth.
Market Share Analysis by Company
| Company Name | Estimated Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Brambles (CHEP) | 20-25% |
| Goodpack | 15-20% |
| Hoover Ferguson | 10-15% |
| SCHÜTZ Container Systems | 8-12% |
| TPS Rental Systems | 6-10% |
| Company Name | Key Offerings/Activities |
|---|---|
| Brambles (CHEP) | Offers global IBC rental and pooling services, integrating sustainable and trackable container solutions. |
| Goodpack | Specializes in returnable metal IBC rental solutions, with a focus on the automotive, food, and chemical industries. |
| Hoover Ferguson | Provides high-performance stainless steel and composite IBC rentals, featuring IoT tracking and fleet management capabilities. |
| SCHÜTZ Container Systems | Supplies rental IBCs with advanced reconditioning and reusability features, catering to pharmaceutical and food-grade applications. |
| TPS Rental Systems | Develops customized rental IBC solutions, emphasizing hygienic design and environmentally friendly reusability. |
Key Company Insights
Brambles (CHEP) (20%-25%)
Brambles (CHEP) leads the market with its worldwide IBC rental network and environmentally friendly container pooling solutions. The company combines smart tracking technologies and automated inventory management to maximize logistics and cost-effectiveness.
Goodpack (15%-20%)
Goodpack leads in returnable and reusable metal IBC rental solutions, with a major presence in the automotive, food, and industrial markets. Its sustainability and closed-loop supply chain strategy add to its market competitiveness.
Hoover Ferguson (10%-15%)
Hoover Ferguson offers high-quality IBC rental services, particularly for chemical, oil and gas, and industrial applications. Its IoT-based tracking and fleet management solutions provide customers with greater visibility and efficiency.
SCHÜTZ Container Systems (8%-12%)
SCHÜTZ specializes in pharmaceutical and food-grade IBC rental services, with a focus on reconditioning, sustainability, and adherence to international safety standards.
TPS Rental Systems (6%-10%)
TPS Rental Systems is a leader in tailored IBC rental services, with a focus on hygienic and sustainable containers, particularly for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemical industries.
Other Major Players (30-40% Combined)
A number of other players drive innovation and expansion in the IBC rental business market, with an emphasis on intelligent tracking, cost savings, and sustainability:
The global IBC rental business industry is projected to witness CAGR of 6.5% between 2025 and 2035.
The global IBC rental business industry stood at USD 1,352.9 million in 2024.
Global IBC rental business industry is anticipated to reach USD 2,704.6 million by 2035 end.
East Asia is set to record a CAGR of 7.6% in assessment period.
The key players operating in the global IBC rental business industry include Good Pack Ltd., Hoover Ferguson Group, Inc., Precision IBC Inc., Hoyer Group.
The IBC rental business market is categorized by material type, including plastic IBC, composite IBC, and metal IBC. Metal IBCs are further divided into stainless steel IBC and carbon steel IBC.
The market is segmented by capacity, including standard 1,040 liters (275 USA gallons), standard 1,250 liters (330 USA gallons), and other customized capacities.
The rental market for IBCs serves various industries, including oil & lubricants, chemicals, food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, personal care & cosmetics, and other industrial applications.
Key Countries of North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Middle East & Africa are covered.
IBC Rental Business Market
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