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As the UK’s number one distributor of bulk chemical products by road, we are proven to be well-equipped at transporting bulk general-purpose and hazardous chemicals for our customers.
This is made possible by our team of specially trained drivers, alongside our fleet of chemical road tanks that are rigorously tested and fitted with modern technology for safety and efficiency.
See here for more information on our fleet of ADR (European regulations concerning the international transport of dangerous goods by road) compliant chemical tanks and how we effectively utilise them for the transport of bulk-quantity chemicals across the country, as well as answers to some frequently asked questions on bulk chemical logistics in general.
What is a chemical road tanker?
A chemical road tanker is a large, cylindrical trailer that carries liquid chemicals in bulk quantities as part of an articulated lorry.
Our fleet is composed of a range of chemical road tankers, all built to different specifications so we are eligible to transport a wide variety of chemicals.
To be fit for use on UK and European roads, chemical tankers and transport units must abide by ADR regulations.
These chemical road tankers are not to be confused with international iso tanks which are designed to carry goods overseas and can be transported on ships and trains.
What do chemical road tankers carry?
Road chemical tanks can carry a variety of liquid chemicals both hazardous and non-hazardous. They are either top-loaded or bottom loaded, and may require a pump or a compressor to be discharged.
Some examples of chemicals that we currently transport using chemical tankers are:
- Ammonia solution
- Caustic soda
- Ferric sulphate
- Sulphuric acid
- Solvents
Chemical tanks can also be installed with baffles, which separate the trailer into multiple different compartments with each section having its own filling point. This means that some chemical tanks can safely transport more than one type of liquid chemical. These are commonly known in the industry as multi-compartment tanks.
What types of chemical road tanks are there?
There are many different types of road tanks that are suitable for transporting chemicals. The reason that there cannot be one universal tank is because of the nature of different types of chemicals.
A large number of chemicals may be suitable for transportation in a general purpose (GP) tank, or may require a tank designed specifically for that product and that customer’s needs.
General purpose tanks are the standard form of liquid chemical tanker for transport by road. These tanks are commonly made of stainless steel, aluminium, or mild steel, to meet ADR specifications depending on the chemical being transported.
Amendments can be made to the design of a chemical road tank to ensure that it is suitable for the transport of specific chemicals. For example, rubber-lined tanks are required for the transport of some acid-based chemicals or corrosives, and lagged tanks may be required if the chemicals need to be temperature controlled.
Suttons operate a wide fleet of tanks with different specifications to meet the multiple requirements of the products and the customers we serve.
Liquid chemical road tanker specifications
Liquid chemical tankers come in a range of sizes and specifications.
The biggest ADR chemical tankers come with a capacity of approximately 37,500L and a tare weight of approximately 8000kg.
There are also ISO tanks that are suitable for intermodal transport across ships and trains. These tanks are generally smaller, with a capacity of 21,000 – 26,000L and a tare weight of approximately 3800kg.
Therefore, for the largest payloads, chemical road tanks have the opportunity to transport the largest payloads, making them the most efficient form of transport for the largest bulk quantity of chemicals.
For domestic, single mode transport, road tanks are the most useful for maximising payloads.
Bulk chemical tanker transport at Suttons Tankers
Here at Suttons Tankers, we are the UK’s largest carrier of bulk liquid chemicals with a combination of over 500 tractor units and 850 road tanks – and still growing. This includes our baffle fleet which is one of the largest in the country, and our lined tanks which we are continually investing in.
Every transport unit in our fleet for liquid chemicals and other dangerous goods comes with a fully trained driver that is kept up to date with regular ADR refresher sessions so they are capable of safely handling the substances being transported, as well as with the latest technology that can be managed both in-cab and remotely.
If you are interested in expediting your liquid chemical logistics then get in touch with us today. We have a number of options that may suit you including:
- Fully managed logistics solutions
- Spot logistics
- 24/7 vendor managed inventory
- Consultancy
- Bespoke solution design