Shipping Paint in Flexitanks

 Paint is liquid, mastic, or liquefiable composition, which undergoes conversion into a solid film after application. The common use of paint is to offer texture to objects.

You can apply paint as a gaseous suspension, solid, or liquid. You'll find that techniques differ based on the artistic or practical results desired. In a solid state, its application occurs as a fine powder before being baked at elevated temperatures. This causes the powder to melt, making it stick to the surface.

Industries that use paints understand that shipping the material in huge quantities requires a dependable transport and storage solution such as a flexitank. These substances are frequently toxic, so they can become a safety hazard if you lack the appropriate method for handling them. Here's what you need to know about shipping paint.

Paint Shipping

The transportation of paint typically occurs in flexitank because of their flammable nature. Heavy handling during transportation could cause leakage as well as serious damage to adjacent cargo. Bear in mind that any leakage typically permits air entry to paint content, resulting in the evaporation of contents and solvents within the container.

Decreasing any loss following container damage is dependent on the paint type and condition. However, remedial action should take place fast, otherwise; delay could cause further loss by hardening or evaporation.

All kinds of paints, emulsion or oil, are susceptible to damage if their storage takes place where elevated temperatures will hasten putrefaction. In case the contents spill on or near adjacent cargo, you should exercise special care to prevent poisoning and pollution by lead.

It's equally necessary to ensure all safety measures take place to decrease fire hazard. You should only use approved containers and tanks to transport flammable liquids such as paint. The storage facilities should include emergency vents for decreasing internal pressure and should have a pressure-activated vent.

Paint needs transport and storage containers to tolerate a wide array of chemicals to deliver the product successfully.

Risk of Shipping Paint

These daily items fall under the categorization of dangerous goods along with primers and thinners. Before shipping it, beware of the following:

The Likelihood of Flames

Spray paint, oil-based paints, and some varnishes can catch fire under certain conditions. Water-based paints and latex don't pose the same risk, so they don't fall under dangerous goods.

Spillage Risk

Like all liquid shipments, there's the possibility of spillages when transporting paints, particularly if you don't pack them properly. This could contaminate the environment, equipment, and other shipments. Therefore, flexitank companies are responsible for ensuring dangerous goods have correct packing, labeling, and appropriate documentation for transit.

Tips for Shipping Paint

An MSDS Document must accompany the Shipment

This is perhaps the most crucial aspect to consider when handling hazardous goods. For the correct identification of your cargo, you must request this document from your supplier or manufacturer. The document follows a globally agreed standard and includes sections, which reveal: the composition and ingredients, measures for storage, handling, and transportation, as well as the hazardous class.

In this document, you'll find a four-digit number that identifies hazardous substances such as flammable liquids. After packing the goods, the transporter should verify all the details while submitting the declaration.

Packaging must align with the Class Prerequisites

Once you've identified the class and have the MSDS document, you should pack the goods appropriately for transport. Remember, a label exists for each class to identify each hazard. The labels must be on the exterior of the package and should remain there during transportation.

It's important to note that each hazardous class has its packaging requirements. You should also consider the quantity you're transporting during packaging. Although proper packaging is necessary for any cargo to prevent damage, hazardous cargo comes with extra risk because of the hazardous nature.

Ensure you pack the cargo well with suitable packing materials. Additionally, ensure proper cushioning to prevent the cargo from moving inside the container, possibly causing damage or leakages.

Understand What You're Transporting

If you're a carrier or shipper of hazardous materials, you should know and recognize the nature of the materials you're handling, the inherent dangers it poses, and the transportation regulations. The effects of hazardous materials might include the release of toxic or flammable fumes while some might be corrosive. Some can even be environmentally harmful if you don't contain them properly.

Adhere to the Regulations

The shipment of dangerous materials is a regulated process because of the involvement of property and human lives at all transport phases. Each transport mode has its regulations and you must understand what this entails whether you're a carrier or shipper. There are numerous regulations, restrictions, and processes involved in the transport of dangerous materials and they differ across countries and states. 

Train the parties involved

Another major element that affects the transportation of dangerous materials is the awareness of the parties involved during transportation. Everybody in this chain including the cargo packers, handlers, and equipment operators need adequate training not merely in their specific roles but also the entire chain. Each employee must beware of the regulations associated with the cargo, the directives at the destination country, ports, as well as the documentation and processes involved during the transportation.

In most instances, the one loading the container should sign a compliance certificate to certify or indicate that he has followed the packing requirements and that the packing has occurred in line with local and global regulations. For this reason, the person concerned should be fully aware of the cargo's requirements and other information associated with the cargo.

The transportation of paint is specialized and demands consideration of various factors. Shipping hazardous goods isn't easy. It involves strict regulations and proper planning. Therefore, you're better off involving a specialist transporter who understands the procedures, packaging procedures, and the documentation needed for transporting dangerous goods.