Gaylord or Octabin?

Q: What is an octabin vs. a Gaylord box?

An octabin is an eight-sided corrugated bulk bin, usually a system (bin + cap/pad, often liner). Gaylord is a generic term for bulk corrugated bins, often box-only.

Q: Do octabin boxes need liners?

Often, yes—especially for flowables (resins, powders, grains) or food/chemical uses. Match liner type and size to internal dimensions.

Q: What should I confirm before buying?

Get internal L×W×H, box-only vs. system, stacking guidance, and condition photos (corners/bottom). That prevents wrong-spec deliveries.

Q: Which is cheaper or easier to source—octabin or Gaylord?

Gaylords (especially used) are usually cheaper and easier to find. Octabins cost more but offer better performance for dense, flowable products.

Clear definitions, real-world uses, and quick guidance on choosing between Gaylords and octabins.

FAQs What is a Gaylord box?What is an Octabin?Octabin vs. Gaylord Key features of octabins Octabin patents Major octabin manufacturers Conclusion

Key takeaways

Terms: “Gaylord box” = generic pallet-sized bulk bin; octabin = eight-sided bin for flowables.
Why octabins: Reinforced, octagonal design delivers better bulge control, stacking strength, and capacity for dense/granular loads.
When to use which: Use octabins for resins/powders/grains; use Gaylords for mixed parts, produce, or general bulk.

FAQs

What is an octabin vs. a Gaylord box?

An octabin is an eight-sided corrugated bulk bin, usually a system (bin + cap/pad, often liner). Gaylord is a generic term for bulk corrugated bins, often box-only.

What sizes and capacities are typical for octabins?

Pallet-friendly footprints (48"×40", 46"×38", 45"×45"); heights ~24", 36", 40–45", 48"+. Empty weight ~35–80 lb; many triple-wall units handle ~1,500–2,000+ lb.

Do octabin boxes need liners?

Often, yes—especially for flowables (resins, powders, grains) or food/chemical uses. Match liner type and size to internal dimensions.

What should I confirm before buying?

Get internal L×W×H, box-only vs. system, stacking guidance, and condition photos (corners/bottom). That prevents wrong-spec deliveries.

Which is cheaper or easier to source—octabin or Gaylord?

Gaylords (especially used) are usually cheaper and easier to find. Octabins cost more but offer better performance for dense, flowable products.

When shipping goods in bulk, the terms "Gaylord box" and "Octabin" are often used, but they aren't always interchangeable. While both are heavy-duty containers designed for pallet-sized loads, the octabin offers specialized advantages for specific applications. This guide will clarify the meaning, features, and key differences to help you choose the right packaging.

What is a Gaylord box?

The term "Gaylord box" is a generic trademark that originated with the Gaylord Container Company in the early 20th century (Gaylord Name Origin by Verde Trader). Today, it refers to any large, pallet-sized corrugated container used for bulk storage and shipping.

What is an Octabin?

An octabin, as the name suggests, is an eight-sided (octagonal) bulk bin. This specific shape is its defining feature and primary advantage.

Octabin Meaning and Purpose: An octabin is a heavy-duty corrugated carton engineered for storing and transporting bulk cargo, especially granular, powdered, and other loose-fill or flowable products (Smurfit Westrock). Its design provides superior strength and stability compared to a standard rectangular box.

Superior Strength: The octagonal shape distributes internal pressure more evenly across its eight walls. This significantly reduces bulging and increases compression strength, making octabins highly resistant to collapse when stacked (Smurfit Westrock, Cascades). Patent documents, such as US6588651B2 by International Paper, detail how wider corner panels in an octagonal design enhance bulge resistance.

Octabin vs. Gaylord: What's the difference?

While an octagonal Gaylord is technically an octabin, the terms have distinct common usages in the industry.

Feature	Gaylord Box	Octabin
Shape	Rectangular or octagonal	Always octagonal (8-sided)
Construction	2-wall - 5-wall	Double/triple wall, reinforced
Typical Use	General bulk, recycling	Flowable, granular, heavy products
Stacking Strength	Good	Superior
Bulge Resistance	Moderate	High (enhanced corner design)
Liners	Optional	Common (especially food/chemical)
Customization	Moderate	High (dimensions, wall, liners)
Key Patents	N/A	US4702408A, US6588651B2, US5178275A

Key features of octabin packaging

1. Construction (octabin box & carton)

An octabin box system is typically made of heavy-duty, multi-wall corrugated board (from double-wall up to six laminated walls) and includes three parts (Smurfit Westrock, Cascades):

Base: Sits on the pallet.
Sleeve: The eight-sided body that is easily erected.
Lid: A cap for closure and stacking.

2. Liners (octabin liners)

To protect contents from moisture, dust, and contamination, octabin liners are almost always used. These are large polyethylene bags that fit inside the container, making them ideal for food-grade products, chemicals, and resins (Plastic Bag Partners).

3. Dimensions and weight (octabin dimensions & weight)

Octabin dimensions are designed to fit standard 48" x 40" pallets to optimize space in warehouses and trucks (Glacier Valley Enterprises).
The octabin weight capacity is substantial. Depending on the wall construction (e.g., triple-wall), they can hold up to 3,000 pounds or more (International Paper, GBE Packaging).

4. Specialized versions (Optibin)

Some manufacturers offer branded versions tailored for specific industries. For example, International Paper’s Optibin™ is a specialized octabin line designed for poultry and other food products, featuring moisture-resistant coatings and durable construction for challenging supply chains.

Octabin patents

US4702408A – bulk bin (octabin)

Summary: This patent describes the construction of an octagonal bulk bin (octabin) made from corrugated paperboard, with a unique bottom closure for strength and stability. It highlights the octagonal shape’s advantage in distributing load and resisting bulging, making it ideal for heavy, flowable products.
Key Features: Octagonal cross-section, reinforced bottom, high stacking strength, suitable for heavy-duty industrial use.
Reference: US4702408A – Bulk bin (Google Patents)

US6588651B2 – octagonal bulk bin

Summary: This patent (assigned to International Paper) details improvements in octabin design, such as wider corner panels and reinforced sidewalls to further reduce bulging and improve stacking performance.
Key Features: Enhanced bulge resistance, optimized for standard 48x40" pallets, suitable for flowable products.
Reference: US6588651B2 – Octagonal bulk bin (Google Patents)

US5178275A – eight-sided columnar container

Summary: Describes a collapsible, octagonal container for bulk materials, emphasizing the structural benefits of the octabin design for stacking and transport.
Reference: US5178275A – Eight-sided columnar container (Google Patents)

Major octabin manufacturers

Smurfit WestRock – Gaylord boxes & octabins

Summary: Smurfit WestRock, a global leader in packaging, distinguishes octabins as heavy-duty, octagonal corrugated containers specifically engineered for bulk, flowable, or granular products. They highlight the superior stacking and bulge resistance of octabins compared to standard Gaylord boxes.
Reference: Smurfit WestRock – Gaylord Boxes & Octabins

International Paper – Optibin and octabin solutions

Summary: International Paper’s “Optibin” and octabin products are designed for optimal performance in food, chemical, and industrial applications. Their octabins are available in double- and triple-wall constructions, with customizable dimensions and liners for moisture and contamination protection.
Reference: International Paper – Bulk Food Packaging
Reference: International Paper – Optibin Poultry Bulk Packaging

Cascades – corrugated bulk bins

Summary: Cascades offers octabins (octagonal bulk bins) in single, double, and triple-wall constructions, emphasizing their use for heavy, flowable, or irregularly shaped products. They provide technical data on wall strength, stacking resistance, and compatibility with standard pallets.
Reference: Cascades – Corrugated Bulk Bins

Conclusion

In summary, while "Gaylord" is a broad term for any pallet-sized bulk box, an octabin is a specific, large corrugated octagonal container.

Sources