BIG Red Flexitank Internal Rail Testing Video

Before embarking on the AAR, CN, RZD, and Marine Container Consultants tests EPT President, Nancy Wendrock said in a Railroad Industry News article,“EPT spent more than a year re-engineering their flexitank and performing rigorous internal testing.

“Our goal was to prove that the BIG Red Flexitank surpasses the quality and performance of all other flexitank products in the industry,” she said. “To ensure the safety of the cargo and the integrity of the flexitank, we designed a unique bulkhead system specifically designed for rail.” The system is called the Rail Swept-Bar Bulkhead.

“We are dedicated to being technology leaders and providing our customers the highest quality flexitank available,” said Wendrock in a February 2010 Bulk Distributor Online article.

Even earlier, “the improvements and product enhancements we’re introducing in 2009 represent our ongoing commitment to provide the highest quality and safest flexitanks in the industry,” stated EPT Founder, Tatiana Golovina.

To learn more about Environmental Packaging Technologies bulk packaging solutions, visit the EPT website.

Big Red Flexitank Terminal Handling Procedure Tests Video

Environmental Packaging Technologies (EPT) conducted a series of terminal handling maneuvers with a loaded BIG Red Flexitank at the CN Terminal in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in order to measure and observe the effect of liquid dynamics and G-force upon the container and rail equipment. ”Out of the testing came new flexitank safety standards,” said EPT President, Nancy Wendrock in a 24-7 news release.

Also as a result of these tests EPT’s BIG Red Flexitank has a documented terminal handling policy and is the only flexitank accepted on the Canadian National Railway (CN).

Big Red Flexitank Passes Liverpool Drop Test Video

EPT’s BIG Red Flexitank extensive international product testing includes this DNV Drop Test at the Marine Container Consultants Facility in Liverpool, England.

For additional information on the scope and procedures of the tests, visit the following Marine Container Testing pdf

Big Red Flexitank Passes Russian Railroad Test Video

As published by Reuters.com back on Jan. 11, 2011, Environmental Packaging Technologies (EPT) is the only flexitank company with written authorization from the Russian Railroad (RZD), to offer all intermodal options and competitive rail economics to their customers.

Russian Railways (RZD) “operates containers and provides door-to-door delivery across Russia and Eurasia for your goods, giving you real-time information on the progress and location of your shipment.”

Big Red Flexitank Passes AAR Rail Impact Test Video

For the first time in the history of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), the 75-year-old organization has awarded a flexitank packaging company a passing score for safety.

Back in April of 2009 EPT’s BIG Red Flexitank passed the AAR Rail Impact Test in Pueblo, Colorado.

EPT’s BIG Red Swept-bar Bulkhead successfully absorbed energy from impact while protecting both the container and the cargo.

EPT’s BIG Red Flexitank is the only bottom-valve flexitank to pass the AAR Rail Impact Test as well as the only flexitank to pass with open door.

As published by Nation2Nation Railroad Industry News, ”the tests are recognized by the AAR and the rail industry as benchmarks for high performance standards that are required to ship via rail in North America”, said Nancy Wendrock, president of Houston-based EPT (NOTE: Wendrock stresses that the AAR does not officially approve or endorse any company. “A company either passes or does not pass,” she said. “Passing, of course, allows the company on the railroad.”)

For more information on how EPT’s Big Red Flexitanks will save your company money shipping bulk liquids, visit the Rail Economics page on the EPT website.

EPT Completes Additional EU Compliance

In efforts to consistently provide our customers with performance and compatibility information, EPT recently completed additional testing of their BIG Red Flexitank

This particular test was conducted to specifically evaluate the effect of 14% ethanol (alcohol) on the inner PE film of the flexitank.  The standard test is 10% ethanol, however EPT requested a more stringent protocol to more closely simulate wine cargo.  EPT has previously tested distilled water, acetic acid, olive oil, and other liquids ensuring customers that our BIG Red Flexitank is food-grade and meets the requirements of the food and beverage, edible oils, juices and ingredients industries.

“Our flexitank already has EU food grade certification and has been FDA compliant,” explained Don     Reilly, Technical Services Manager for EPT.  “However, EPT continuously subjects our flexitank to various performance tests to ensure customers that our films, valve, and construction meet the highest standards and are compatible with their products.  This is yet another certification that we’re happy to share specifically with our Wine-Pac customers.

EPT’s most recent ethanol test confirms the BIG Red Flexitank is 2002/72/EC, 2005/79/EC, 2007/19/EC and 2008/39/EC compliant to come into contact with foodstuff.

BIG Red Flexitank Rail Authorization In Austria

EPT is proud to announce that our BIG Red Flexitank has been approved by the national rail system of Austria, ÖBB Produktion, after the successful completion of rail testing.

Click image for larger view

The BIG Red Flexitank is now authorized to carry non-hazardous liquids in standard 20’ containers throughout the ÖBB network. The ÖBB serves the main routes between Vienna and Linz, Salzburg, Graz, and the district of Carinthia, and Liechtenstein.  It also connects Austria to major international destinations: Budapest, Bratislava, Ljubljana, Venice, Basel, Prague and Munich.

This achievement adds to EPT’s list of rail authorizations, including North America, Argentina, China, and Russia.

“We take seriously the engineering, performance, and safety of our flexitanks,” explains Don Reilly, Technical Services Manager for EPT. “Successfully meeting the stringent requirement of railroads around the world helps demonstrate our commitment to excellence and makes available all intermodal options for our customers.”

Flexitank Steps On Rail

EPT BIG Red Flexitank

From an article originally published in American Shipper magazine February 2010

“For more than 30 years, flexitanks have allowed shippers of bulk liquid products to enjoy the benefits of containerized ocean freight transportation, but not the related rail intermodal services.

North American railroads in recent years have refused to move loaded flexitanks in containers because they have been known to rupture and leak due to the punishing motion of the trains.

This changed for one provider late last year when it announced that its flexitank passed both of the Association of American Railroad’s rigorous rail impact and simulation tests – an industry first.”

“The test are recognized by the AAR and the rail industry as benchmarks for high performance standards that are required to ship via rail in North America,” said Nancy Wendrock, president of Houston – based Environmental Packaging Technologies (EPT), in a statement.

Article Highlights: (Read entire article)

The Rail Impact Test parameters include:

• Ensuring a loaded flexitank could withstand the force of multiple impacts, the type routinely experienced during rail transport.
• Conducting the test in a 20-foot container, which satisfied test criteria required by the Container Owners Association.
• For the flexitank to successfully pass the test, it must show no signs of leakage, maintain an intact bulkhead, and allow minimal sidewall and end-wall deformation.
• The flexitank’s bottom valve and bulkhead must also not come in contact with the closed container doors.EPT results: the test conclusively showed that the bulkhead and BIG Red Flexitank passed and there was no bulkhead movement.The Rail Simulation Test subjects the flexitank to a series of impacts and vibrations that simulate more than 260 miles of travel over all classes of rail at accompanying speeds.EPT results:  the BIG Red Flexitank successfully passed the test with no movement or deflection of the bulkhead and no permanent deflection of the container walls.

Flexitank Rail Certifications

A More Complete Look at BIG Red Flexitank Rail Certifications

BIG Red Flexitanks, manufactured to strict ISO 9001:2008 quality control standards by Houston based, transport packaging company, Environmental Packaging Technologies, received the following certifications from the Association of American Railroads, (AAR) in 2009:

Passed Association of American Railroad (AAR) Rail Impact Test, Pueblo, Colorado
Passed Association of American Railroad (AAR) Rail Vibration Test (VTU), Pueblo, Colorado

In a press release dated October 29, 2009 and titled, “Texas Flexitank Company Achieves ‘First’ Passes Both Rail Impact and Rail Simulation Tests; Meets AAR Performance Standards Benchmarks,”  EPT President, Nancy Wendrock said “testing authorities would consider the examination to be successful if:

There was no leakage from the flexitank; the flexitank and bulkhead were intact after testing;  there was minimal side-wall and end-wall deformation and the flexitank’s bottom valve did not come in contact with closed container doors.

Tests conclusively showed that the bulkhead securement system, and flexitank, successfully passed with flying colors, as there was no bulkhead movement.”

Available in sizes up to 24,000 liters with bottom or top/bottom valves. BIG Red Flexitanks are the only flexitank to have passed both the AAR Rail Impact Test and Rail Simulation Test.In addition BIG Red Flexitanks have received rail certifications from Bureas Veritas in Argentina and Brunel Railmotive in Goerlitz, Germany.For the complete list of BIG Red Flexitank certifications and accomplishments, visit the flexitank certifications page on our website.

EPT’s BIG Red Flexitank Passes Tests

Environmental Packaging Technologies, (EPT) is committed to the highest quality and safest bulk packaging products in the industry.

Back in July of 2009 EPT’s BIG Red Flexitank passed the American Association of Railroad’s Rail Impact Test and Rail Vibration Test (VTU). In addition the BIG Red Flexitank met all Container Owners Association (COA) recommended test criteria for flexitanks.

Read more about EPT’s BIG Red Flexitank Certifications.