Steel Drum & Packaging Blog | North Coast Container

Steel Drums for Bulk Paint & Coating Packaging | North Coast Container

Written by Holly Sunderman | Apr 30, 2025 6:54:04 PM

For manufacturers in the paints and coatings industry, choosing the right packaging solution is essential to maintaining product quality, reducing waste, and ensuring smooth production processes. Whether shipping raw materials or finished products, packaging that protects your product from environmental damage and physical hazards is key.

For decades, steel drums have been the trusted choice for bulk paint and coating packaging. Their unmatched durability, UV protection, and customization options make them the preferred solution for companies focused on preserving product integrity and optimizing their operations.

Steel Drums Offer Superior Durability

Paints and coatings are valuable products, and any loss due to damaged packaging can quickly lead to increased costs and production delays. That’s why durability is one of the most important considerations when choosing bulk storage containers.

Steel drums are built to withstand the rigors of industrial environments. Unlike plastic pails, which are prone to cracking or puncturing, steel drums offer a level of strength and impact resistance that helps minimize the risk of product loss.

Key durability advantages include:

  • Impact Resistance: Steel drums hold up against drops, rough handling, and stacking pressures during transport.
  • Leak Prevention: Their robust construction helps prevent punctures and leaks, protecting your paints and coatings from contamination or spoilage.

For businesses in the paints and coatings industry, this level of protection translates to fewer damaged containers, reduced waste, and a more efficient supply chain.

UV Resistance Protects Paints & Coatings from Light Damage

Certain types of paints and coatings—especially those containing light-sensitive pigments or chemical compounds—can degrade when exposed to UV light. Extended exposure to sunlight or even ambient light can lead to changes in color, reduced performance, or shortened shelf life.

Steel drums offer a natural barrier against light exposure.

By blocking out 100% of UV rays, steel drums preserve the stability and quality of light-sensitive paints and coatings. This complete light protection helps extend shelf life by preventing the premature breakdown of pigments and chemical components. As a result, your products maintain their intended performance and appearance from the first application to the last. 

For manufacturers shipping large volumes of paint or coatings, this level of protection is critical to ensuring consistent product quality and customer satisfaction.

Customizable Steel Drums Fit Your Needs

Beyond their durability and UV resistance, steel drums can be customized to align with the specific needs of paints and coatings manufacturers.

Tighthead Drums: Leak-Resistant 

Tighthead steel drums feature a sealed top with small openings for dispensing and filling, making them ideal for liquid paints and coatings that require extra protection against leaks and contamination. Their secure design helps maintain product integrity during warehousing and transportation.

Drum Linings: Preventing Contamination and Corrosion

Steel drums can be fitted with specialized interior linings, such as epoxy-phenolic or rust-inhibitor coatings, to prevent chemical reactions between the drum and the product inside. This is especially important for solvent-based coatings, waterborne paints, and other sensitive formulations. Linings help preserve product purity and ensure compatibility between the container and its contents.

Steel Agitator Drums: Supporting Consistency and Mixing

For paints and coatings that require regular stirring or re-suspension, steel agitator drums offer an integrated solution. These drums are designed to work with mixing equipment directly inside the container, allowing manufacturers to blend products without transferring them to a separate vessel. This reduces waste, improves efficiency, and helps maintain consistent product quality.

Work With NCC for Reliable Steel Drum Solutions

When it comes to storing paints and coatings, choosing the right drum is only part of the solution. You also need a packaging partner you can trust to deliver quality products on time – every time. That’s where North Coast Container (NCC) stands out.

As the largest independent manufacturer of steel drums in North America, NCC is known for providing nationwide, redundant service through our facilities located across the U.S. – ensuring you get the drums you need, even when supply chain challenges arise. We pride ourselves on being easy to work with, offering open communication and transparency throughout every order so you can stay informed and avoid delays. 

Protect your paints and coatings with the right bulk packaging solution. Contact North Coast Container today to learn more about our steel drums and how we can support your business.