PAC Strapping introduces reusable drum securing clips

PAC Strapping Products has introduced three reusable Drum Clip products for securing palletised industrial drums during storage and transport. The range accommodates different 200-litre drum designs, using lightweight, glass-fibre-reinforced clips with specified strapping arrangements to help stabilise loads carried by road, rail and sea.

The products comprise separate configurations for UN200 tight-head drums, American open-head drums and ISO/European open-head drums. Each is shaped to fit the relevant container geometry, allowing the clip to be positioned correctly when straps are applied. The system is intended to restrain grouped drums through the combined action of the clips, straps and pallet rather than through the clips alone.

Cylindrical containers present different load-securing requirements from rectangular cartons because their curved surfaces provide limited contact with neighbouring items. When several drums are positioned on a pallet, gaps remain between their sides, while the entire group must resist movement during handling and transport. Acceleration, braking, cornering and vibration can cause individual containers to shift unless the load is restrained appropriately.

PAC’s recommended arrangement begins with four drums positioned in a two-by-two configuration. Two Drum Clips are placed on opposite outer drums, providing defined contact points for the securing straps. A horizontal band is then applied around the group, followed by a vertical strap that passes through an opening in the pallet, travels over the clips and runs beneath the horizontal band before the load is secured.

The routing of the straps creates a securing arrangement involving both the grouped containers and the supporting pallet. Horizontal restraint helps keep the drums together, while the vertical component provides an additional connection between the load and its base. The selected straps and the tension applied are part of the system’s tested configuration, making correct installation necessary when relying on the associated performance certification.

Drum dimensions influence which clip can be used. The red version is intended for UN200 tight-head drums, which have permanently attached tops, and weighs approximately 0.098kg. It is designed for the specified 200-litre, or 55-gallon, drum format. Its geometry must correspond to the container’s external profile so that the clip can be positioned as intended.

The green version accommodates UN200 American open-head drums and compatible plastic drums. Weighing approximately 0.127kg, it provides a separate fit for containers with removable heads and different rim arrangements. Open-head construction affects the shape of the upper part of the drum, which in turn determines where a securing accessory can make contact without interfering with the closure.

For ISO/European open-head drums, PAC offers an orange version weighing approximately 0.133kg. These drums can have a slightly larger external diameter than American open-head equivalents, requiring a different clip geometry. Using the appropriate version avoids relying on a fit or contact arrangement that has not been established for the container being secured.

All three designs are manufactured from glass-fibre-reinforced engineering plastic incorporating recycled textile materials. The reinforcement is intended to provide durability during repeated handling, while the lightweight construction allows the components to be positioned without lifting equipment. PAC specifies that the products can be reused for up to two years, depending on their condition and the operating environment.

Reuse requires an arrangement for recovering and inspecting clips after a delivery. A distribution operation that returns empty drums or pallets to an originating facility may be able to circulate the accessories through successive journeys, provided they remain suitable for service. Damaged or missing components would need to be replaced, and the ability to recover clips will influence how much disposable securing material can be avoided.

The manufacturer specifies suitability for ambient temperatures between minus 20°C and 50°C under the relevant certified conditions. This range defines the stated temperature limits for the products but does not remove the need to consider damage, wear or exposure outside their specified operating conditions. Clips used repeatedly must remain compatible with the drums and securing arrangement for which they were selected.

PAC has also identified particular polyester straps for use with the system, including 5/8in-wide material in thicknesses of 0.035in and 0.040in. These dimensions form part of the manufacturer’s recommended securing solution, alongside accessories such as a pallet threading tool and battery-powered strapping equipment. The appropriate choice of strap must correspond to the applicable performance specification rather than being determined by width alone.

Consistent strap application is important because a restraint system can perform differently when its components or installation method are changed. Insufficient tension may allow movement within the load, while an unsuitable strap or incorrectly positioned clip can alter how securing forces are transferred. Equipment used to apply the straps can help operators reproduce the required arrangement, although the completed load still needs to be checked.

The manufacturer’s supporting documentation references DIN EN 12642 Annex B, DIN EN 12195-1:2010, ISTA 3E, EUMOS 40509 and the Association of American Railroads Intermodal Loading Guide. These standards and test references address different aspects of transport safety, load restraint and packaging performance. They do not establish a universal certification covering every drum, pallet or strapping arrangement in which a Drum Clip might be used.

PAC specifies that the relevant certifications apply when the selected Drum Clip is paired with straps meeting the defined performance requirements and installed at the correct tension in the certified securing configuration. Changing the container format, strap specification, routing or installation conditions can affect whether those results apply. Supporting certification documents are available from the manufacturer for operators assessing a proposed load-securing arrangement.

Industrial drum movements involve a variety of products, including liquids, powders and other materials transported between manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facilities. Container construction, contents, pallet arrangement and transport mode all influence the controls required. The Drum Clip system provides one element of load restraint and does not replace any additional packaging, labelling or regulatory requirements applying to particular goods.

The reusable accessories may be used in facilities where drums are secured manually or with suitable strapping equipment. Operators must select the clip corresponding to the container, position the grouped drums correctly and apply the straps according to the tested arrangement. Where the accessories are recovered for further use, their condition must also be assessed before they are returned to service.

By offering separate designs for three common drum formats, PAC provides a defined selection process for securing palletised loads. The clips’ practical use will depend on consistent installation, compatible strapping and the arrangements for recovering reusable components across distribution operations. Their role within a compliant transport system remains tied to the tested combination of containers, restraint equipment and installation conditions.