ISO tanks have become an indispensable part of the chemical industry. They enable the safe transport of liquid chemicals and are used worldwide throughout complex supply chains. Due to their robust construction and
high safety requirements, they are particularly expensive to purchase. That is why cost-effectiveness plays
an important role, as long downtime, delayed returns and a lack of information about the current location can result in additional costs.
Digital asset tracking offers a way to improve oversight of the ISO tanks in use and make existing processes more efficient. With the Packwise Smart Cap and the Packwise Flow 2.0 software platform, chemical companies can digitally track their leased tanks, centrally view location data, and analyze relevant information.
ISO tanks are specifically designed for the transport of liquid goods and represent a significant investment due
to their high acquisition costs. Many chemical companies therefore choose to lease ISO tanks from specialized providers rather than building their own tank fleet. At the same time, their use incurs ongoing costs that can depend significantly on how long a tank is in use and when it is returned to the lessor.
It can be particularly difficult to keep track of all tank movements, especially in the case of international
shipments or complex supply chains. ISO tanks often pass through multiple locations, are transferred
between different modes of transport, and sometimes remain with customers or logistics partners for
extended periods. Without up-to-date location information, return shipments can only be planned to a limited extent, and unnecessary downtime may not be detected until it is too late. This can result in additional rental
fees, organizational overhead, and avoidable logistics costs.
Digital asset tracking provides the necessary transparency by making location information centrally available
at and helping companies manage their leased ISO tanks more efficiently. This allows for better tracking of transport movements, identification of extended downtime, and more targeted organization of returns at.
The Packwise Smart Cap is typically mounted in the so-called “Spillbox,” a recessed area on the top of
the ISO tank. To install it, the Smart Cap is first secured to a steel plug, and both are then attached to an
Lid. This Lid is screwed into an existing opening in the Spillbox. However, there are even simpler
and faster ways to install the Packwise Smart Cap, which will be discussed later in this article.
While monitoring fill levels is often the primary focus with traditional IBCs or storage tanks, the emphasis for ISO tanks is on asset tracking. The main goal here is to track the location and movements of a tank, thereby making its use more cost-effective.
Especially with high-value transport equipment such as ISO tanks, location data alone can create significant added value. For chemical companies that lease their tanks, it is not only crucial that the required transport capacity is available, but also how long individual tanks are tied up and when they can be returned. A better overview of the tanks in use therefore simplifies planning and helps avoid unnecessary costs.
The key benefits of digital asset tracking at a glance:
This demonstrates that even the digital tracking of ISO tanks offers numerous opportunities to optimize
existing processes and improve the cost-effectiveness of the transport means used, without the need
for level measurement.
The collection of location data forms the foundation for efficient ISO tank management. However, its
true added value only becomes apparent when the collected information can be clearly presented and
used to inform operational decisions. This isexactly where Packwise Flow 2.0 comes in: the software
platform centrally consolidates the data collected by the Smart Caps and provides companies with a
structured overview of their leased ISO tanks.
Instead of manually compiling information on individual tanks or reconciling data across different systems, relevant location data can be viewed directly within the platform. This makes it easier to track the movements
of the tank fleet and identify potential delays early on. Especially when dealing with a large number of leased
ISO tanks, this centralized overview facilitates coordination between chemical companies, logistics service providers, and other stakeholders.
In addition to the location overview, the analytics features of Packwise Flow 2.0 allow users to systematically evaluate collected data and analyze trends over extended periods. In this way, companies can, for example, analyze how long individual tanks remain at specific locations, which transport routes are regularly used, and
at which points within the supply chain longer dwell times occur.
Such analyses help identify recurring delays and make targeted improvements to existing processes. For example, if certain locations are regularly associated with long dwell times, companies can use this information to adjust their return transport planning and optimize coordination processes. Individual location data thus provides a sound basis for decision-making, enabling the use of leased ISO tanks to be made more cost-effective in the
long term.
Another key component of cost-effective ISO tank management is the so-called closed-loop principle. Under this principle, ISO tanks are used within a cycle that is as closed and traceable as possible, so that after a transport
is completed, they can be returned, reconditioned, and made available for the next assignment. The goal is to use the available transport resources as efficiently as possible and to avoid unnecessary delays between individual assignments.
A typical ISO tank cycle includes the following steps:
For chemical companies that rent ISO tanks, ensuring this cycle runs as smoothly as possible is of particular importance. If a tank remains at the recipient’s location for an extended period after being emptied, or if its return transport is delayed, this can result in additional rental costs and impair the availability of the required transport capacity. At the same time, the organizational burden increases when information about the tank’s current location or planned return transport is missing.
Digital asset tracking makes it easier to track the movements of ISO tanks within this cycle. The Packwise Smart Cap captures location data, giving companies a better overview of where their tanks are located and where longer downtimes may occur. This information helps organize the entire container cycle more efficiently. A transparent closed-loop system thus not only contributes to better utilization of existing transport resources but can also improve the cost-effectiveness and predictability of the entire supply chain.
In addition to the economic benefits, the straightforward installation of the tracking technology also plays
an important role. Especially with ISO tanks, structural modifications are often undesirable or only possible
to a limited extent, which is why a digital tracking solution should be as easy as possible to install without requiring extensive alterations to the existing tank structure.
The Packwise Smart Cap offers a practical solution for this, as it can be attached directly to a suitable surface
of the ISO tank using its adhesive-based mounting system. Optionally, it can be secured with an additional metal strap. The advantage here is that the Packwise Smart Cap can be flexibly mounted at various points on the exterior of an ISO tank. This allows the position of the Smart Cap to be individually adapted to the tank’s specific structural conditions.
No complex installation work or mechanical modifications to the tank are required. Companies can thus equip their leased ISO tanks with digital tracking technology in just a few simple steps, without having to drill or screw anything in place. The simple attachment process reduces installation effort and makes it particularly easy to equip larger tank fleets. Once the Smart Cap is secured and configured, the collected location data can be viewed via Packwise Flow 2.0 and used for further planning.
Conclusion: Greater Cost-Effectiveness Through For chemical companies that lease ISO tanks, efficient management of their tank fleet is a key factor in optimizing costs and logistics processes. Especially when it comes to high-value transport equipment, location data alone can make a decisive contribution to reducing unnecessary downtime, better planning return trips, and utilizing existing capacity more efficiently.
With the Packwise Smart Cap and Packwise Flow 2.0, companies can digitally track their leased ISO tanks and use the collected data specifically to optimize their processes. The combination of straightforward installation,
a centralized location overview, and data-driven analytics supports more efficient asset management and helps make closed-loop container cycles more transparent and predictable.
Schedule an appointment with our experts today and learn more about our solutions for digital asset tracking.