Which plastic stacking bin suits your sector?

Buying plastic stacking boxes and crates to optimise your logistics is essential in many industries. Whether you work in logistics, agriculture, the food industry, the automotive industry or retail, the use of plastic containers is ideal for all kinds of applications. How do you know which plastic stacking box best suits your sector? In this blog, we will discuss the different types of plastic crates, their applications and the sectors in which they are used.

Types of plastic containers

Plastic containers come in many different designs. For your sector and your application, there are probably several specifications that you need to take into account. We highlight the most important differences and specifications for you.

Dimensions and content

Of course, the size of the plastic container you need depends very much on your application. Our Euro Stacking Containers have standardised dimensions and can therefore be efficiently combined with each other. The dimensions of the Euro crates are as follows:

• 300x200 mm
• 400x300 mm
• 600x400 mm
• 800x600 mm

In addition, you also have to take into account the height of the plastic container, which determines the contents. The volume indicates how many litres can be stored in the container. This can vary from 5 litres in the smallest Euro crate to more than 800 litres in a pallet box.

Material type

The storage boxes are made of different types of plastic. Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are commonly used types of plastic. In the case of Polyethylene, a distinction can also be made between LDPE, Low Density Polyethylene and HDPE, High Density Polyethylene. Read more about the different types of plastic in our blog.

Closed or perforated

A plastic euro crate can be closed or perforated. Closed stacking bins are useful for storing parts or liquids and are available with closed and open handles or with a grip opening. Perforated plastic stacking bins are permeable to air, water and moisture and are widely used, for example, for food.

Nestable, stackable or foldable

Our plastic containers are stackable, so that storage space can be used in height. In addition, we offer variants that are nestable and can therefore be pushed together or nested. We also offer stackable containers that can be both nested and stacked, making them very efficient. Our foldable and collapsible containers, such as a folding crate, can easily be folded when not in use. This saves you space and costs.

Which plastic container for which sector?

Time to see which plastic container is suitable for which sector. We describe the most commonly used and suitable plastic crates and bins for a number of different sectors.

Agricultural sector

In the agricultural sector, good plastic containers are not only essential for the storage of agricultural products, but it is also important to choose the right container for the distribution of the harvest. Our fruit and vegetable crates, also known as agri crates or fruit and vegetable crates, are widely used for fruit and vegetable cultivation. Thanks to the perforated side walls and bottom, the agri crate has good air circulation, which improves the shelf life of the food. In addition, moisture and dirt can also easily drain away from the bins. This makes it easy to rinse the contents clean without having to remove them from the crate and prevents dirt such as sand from being transported.

In addition to plastic fruit crates, pallet boxes are also widely used in the agricultural sector. They are hygienic, easy to clean and have a high load capacity and volume. Ideal for storing and transporting a lot of harvest in one go.

Horticulture sector

Just like in the agricultural sector, vegetable crates and fruit crates are also widely used in horticulture. There is a lot of demand for agri crates for the harvest periods, which we offer in various sizes. They are made of high-quality HDPE plastic and have a perforated bottom and sidewalls. An agri crate is ideal for storing and transporting flower bulbs, plants and harvested fruit and vegetables.

Food industry

Food-safe stacking bins are indispensable in the food industry. Hygiene is of great importance in the food industry, so it is essential that the bin can be kept clean and cleaned. Virgin HDPE, or High Density Polyethene, is a high-quality hygienic plastic and the standard in the food industry. Food-grade crates made of HDPE are strong, safe, recyclable, and have high chemical resistance, which is why they are widely used for food packaging. A good example of this is our Euro meat crate that can withstand temperatures from -30 °C to +60 °C and meets the EHI and DIN 55 423 standards.

Food-grade crates made of polypropylene (PP) are resistant to high temperatures and chemical cleaning agents and are therefore widely used. The items in our webshop that are suitable for the food industry can be recognised by the blue label 'for the food industry'.

Automotive industry

The automotive industry is constantly changing, and it is important to have reliable logistics solutions available. Our KLT containers are robust and specially developed for the automotive industry. Thanks to the vertical ribs on the walls, they are extra sturdy and can easily be picked up in an automated production line and used on roller conveyors. These industrial barges meet the VDA standards and offer a solution for automated logistics.

Retail trade

In the retail sector, it is important that products are well protected. Plastic boxes with open fronts are ideal for use in warehousing and offer flexible picking locations that are easy to adjust to the required capacity. These bins can be stacked while the contents remain accessible. In the warehouse or in stores where small equipment is sold, it is convenient to use storage bins. A storage tray is resistant to oils, acids and greases and has a semi-open front with a grip opening. A storage tray is often used to store screws and other small parts or to display them in the store.

Pharmaceutical industry

Plastic containers are used in the pharmaceutical industry both for raw materials, then pallet boxes are widely used, and for distribution in distribution containers. Logistic containers are safe and sturdy for the transport of medical goods. The advantage of a distribution box or lid box is that it can be sealed, which offers extra security. In addition, they are also stackable and nestable for optimal efficiency and cost savings.

Logistics

In the logistics sector, logistics bins are widely used. Because they come in so many different shapes and sizes, almost all of them are suitable for use in logistics. Euro crates are ideal thanks to the standardised dimensions. They are stackable and can be efficiently combined with other load carriers. Read more about Euro boxes and efficient combinations with pallets in our blog.

To save space in the warehouse and for return transport, it is advisable to use stackable containers. These plastic containers are nestable and stackable. You can easily stack them and thus use the storage space in height. When you are not using the rotating stacking bin, you can turn the bin 180 degrees and nest it together. In this way, the logistics container takes up less space and is cost-effective for return transport.

Buy stacking bins

Do you know which plastic stacking bin is most suitable for use in your sector? That's great! You can easily buy plastic stacking bins online in our webshop. You choose the desired plastic container, and as soon as you have ordered it, we deliver from stock and in most cases, you will receive it within two working days.

Contact

Are you not quite sure which plastic crate is best to use for your application? No problem. At Rotomshop, we like to think along with you. Feel free to contact our customer service via [email protected] or via 01777 322100, and together we will look for an efficient solution to your logistics challenge!