Polymer Containers Emerge as a Longer-Lasting Alternative to Wooden Bins for Potato Storage
Key takeaways
- 2-3x longer lifespan for polymer bins vs wooden crates
- 1.5-2% cut in produce shrinkage seen in early trials
- 1.3 tonnes: capacity of the Ai-Plast/SIBUR test bins
- 2026: shift to polymer bins discussed at AGRAVIA expo
Why it matters
- For farmers
- If wooden-bin replacement or sanitation costs are a concern, the cited 1.5-2% shrinkage reduction and 2-3x lifespan are figures worth checking once the Ai-Plast/SIBUR trials conclude.
- For suppliers
- Container and packaging suppliers can track the Ai-Plast/SIBUR 1.3-tonne polymer bin trial as a potential wooden-crate replacement to stock.
- For investors
- SIBUR's move into 1.3-tonne storage containers with Ai-Plast is an early signal of petrochemical diversification into ag-storage hardware worth monitoring.
60-second summary
At the AGRAVIA 2026 exhibition, industry participants discussed a shift toward polymer containers for potato storage in place of wooden bins. Presenters said plastic bins last two to three times longer than wooden ones and are considerably easier to clean and sanitize, which matters both for hygiene and for limiting disease carryover between storage seasons. Trial results cited at the event point to a 1.5-2% reduction in produce shrinkage, a meaningful gain given the volumes commercial operations handle. The company Ai-Plast, working with petrochemical group SIBUR, is currently testing containers with a 1.3-tonne capacity. The article frames this as part of a broader move to modernize post-harvest infrastructure and adopt materials that better support quality retention and operational efficiency. It gives no completion date for the Ai-Plast/SIBUR trials, no price comparison with wooden bins, and no named independent test body beyond "presentations" at the exhibition.
At the AGRAVIA 2026 exhibition, industry participants discussed a shift toward polymer containers for potato storage. According to the presentations, plastic bins last two to three times longer than wooden ones and are considerably easier to clean and sanitize—an important factor for maintaining hygienic conditions and reducing the risk of disease carryover between storage seasons. Trial results also indicate a reduction in produce shrinkage of 1.5–2%, a meaningful gain given the volumes handled by commercial potato operations.
The company Ai-Plast, working together with SIBUR, is currently testing containers with a capacity of 1.3 tonnes. If the results hold up under extended real-world use, polymer bins could offer growers a more durable and cost-effective alternative to traditional wooden crates, cutting replacement costs and lowering product losses during long-term storage. The discussion at AGRAVIA 2026 reflects a broader movement in the sector toward modernizing post-harvest infrastructure and adopting materials that better support quality retention and operational efficiency.
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What next
No date is given for when the Ai-Plast/SIBUR container trials will conclude or when polymer bins might see wider commercial adoption.
Sources
- Presentations at the AGRAVIA 2026 exhibition, attributed to unnamed industry participants; commercial link disclosed: Ai-Plast and SIBUR are named as the companies testing the containers.
Linked in this material
- Country
- Russia
- Companies
- Ai-Plast; SIBUR
- Technologies
- polymer (plastic) potato storage containers
- Events
- AGRAVIA 2026
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