For those in manufacturing industries or who deal with dry goods transportation, you may have heard of FIBC bulk bags. In today’s global packaging market, in the category of bulk transportation, FIBC bulk bags have gained popularity across industries due to their cost-effectiveness and customizability. Made of woven polypropylene and industrial packaging materials, FIBC bags (flexible intermediate bulk container bags) are commonly used for storing and transporting goods. Many industries, including agriculture, construction, and manufacturing, benefit from bulk bags because of their lightweight design and flexible packaging. However, the bulk bags and their contents should be handled correctly to ensure safety and prevent damage.
FIBC bulk bags, or flexible intermediate bulk containers, have made bulk material shipping easier and more cost-effective. Although bulk bags are made of knitted fabric, they are incredibly strong, as they can hold up to 4,000 pounds of bulk materials. Due to their superior packaging-to-product weight ratio of 5 to 7 pounds per ton, FIBCs are prized. In addition to four-panel designs, U-shaped designs, and baffle designs are also available. Generally, these bags have handles at the corners through which forklift prongs can be inserted.
In addition to being strong, FIBC bags are lightweight so that they can contain almost 300 times their weight in the material. Incorporating FIBCs into your shipping operation, however, requires a few considerations. Shipping operations need to understand how to handle and store FIBC bulk bags properly because bulk bags must meet high standards in terms of strength and durability. FIBCs have been proven to be as durable as solid containers, but improper handling and storage may result in serious, costly, and dangerous accidents. For FIBCs to perform effectively, they must follow manufacturer instructions and industry best practices.
Benefits of FIBC Bulk Bags:
Marketers have many options when it comes to packaging. However, not all packaging solutions are the same. A wide variety of benefits make FIBC bulk bags ideal for many industries.
The following are some of the benefits of using FIBC bulk bags:
FIBC bulk bags are versatile & suitable for a wide range of products.
FIBC bulk bags are made with high-quality materials, making them durable and robust.
Bulk bags offer an affordable packaging solution
Bulk bags are recyclable or reusable, making them a sustainable option for packaging.
As bulk bags are flexible, they take up less space when empty than other types of packaging. This makes storing and transporting them easier.
For this reason, we have created this guide on how to handle and store bulk bags safely.
Wet products pose many challenges, but following these factor checks in FIBC bulk bags you prefer, can help you tackle them:
Grading:
The majority of FIBC bulk bags are made of woven polyethylene or polypropylene fibers. The fibres can be coated or not. Several types of speciality bags exist, including food, pharmaceutical, ventilated, or agricultural bags, as well as bags that have been tested to withstand stringent requirements to prevent hazardous materials from spilling.
Check for FIBC High SWL:
The presence of moisture or water can make weight products heavier. When the moisture level in the bag is higher, it adds a significant amount of weight to the bag. As a result, the safe working load of the FIBC bags can be affected. To have a greater SWL, FIBC bags need to be made of thicker fabric and have heavy-duty stitching to have a greater safe working load. You should choose an FIBC bag with the highest safe working load, whose stitching is intact while transporting heavy products. Selecting an FIBC bag for a wet product requires you to pay close attention to the safe working load.
Use a liner:
In FIBC bags, moisture or water can seep through seams or the fabric when the materials or products are very wet. This cannot be tolerated at any cost. To effectively deal with this leakage problem, liners serve a great purpose. Liner bags are highly effective at retaining moisture and preventing any kind of material from getting inside or outside the bag. To prevent wet products from leaking out, an FIBC bag with a liner is an efficient way to keep the moisture in the bag. Liners can be sewn into bags or purchased separately from the manufacturer.
Choose FIBC bulk bags that are Breathable:
Moisture can cause mould to grow on some products. As a result, the entire product can be ruined. For such a wet product, choose FIBC bags without liners and coatings. As a result, the wet product will have additional airflow and ventilation.
Types:
FIBC bulk bags can be classified into four groups based on their electrostatic properties. Friction can cause static electricity in flammable or gas-filled environments when loading or unloading materials. To ensure the safety of flammable materials or those in an environment that may contain combustible gases or powders, FIBC bags are sorted into four categories:
Type A: Electrostatic properties are absent. Materials that are flammable or combustible must not be transported in these bags.
Type B: Static electricity cannot be dissipated. These materials, however, have a low breakdown voltage, which is intended to minimize the possibility of dangerous brush discharges. Nevertheless, these bags should not be used in environments with flammable or flammable materials.
Type C: When properly grounded, these bags feature conductive threads or yarns that dissipate static electricity. Some flammable materials can be transported in these bags, but grounding is subject to human error.
Type D: These bags are antistatic and made from fabric that prevents static electricity. Grease or other flammable or combustible substances can compromise the protective properties of a bag, however.
Spout Bottom Clogs Upon Discharge:
When wet products or materials are discharged from FIBC bags, the spout bottoms tend to become clogged. This is an important point to keep in mind, especially while transporting goods. It is undoubtedly an inconvenience for transporters to attempt to clear a clogged spout occasionally, but it can also be dangerous at times. If this situation arises, it would be very wise to consider FIBC or diaper bags with full bottom discharge. Using these types of bags as a substitute for clogging can be extremely beneficial.
Properly Fill Bulk Bags:
Storing FIBCs properly is crucial for extending the life of your bulk bags while concurrently maintaining quality while following proper filling procedures. Be sure that the FIBC does not exhibit any visible damage before filling, use an approved bulk product, seal the bag evenly, and follow any manufacturer's instructions or advisories on the FIBC
Guidelines for Lifting & Handling FIBC Bulk Bags:
FIBCs should be checked for visible damage before being moved. Lifting mechanisms for FIBCs should not have protrusions or sharp edges. Make sure hooks, and bars, are free of protrusions. Make sure you follow any additional instructions or recommendations on the FIBC, as well as the safety guidelines issued by the industry.
FIBC bags: How to Choose the Right Ones?
To make sure that you're choosing the right FIBC bags for your business, there are several factors that you need to consider. If you want to make an informed decision regarding FIBC, consider these factors:
What type of product you're going to store in the bags
Product size and weight
Storage environment (indoors or outdoors)
Storage time for the products in the bags.
FIBC bulk bag budget
After taking all of these factors into account, you can easily determine which type of FIBC bag is most suitable for your business. If you're still unsure, seek assistance from a professional supplier as they can guide you and help you make the right choice.
Using FIBC bulk bags is a very efficient way of accumulating, storing, and transporting dry & wet products from various industries. Increasingly, industries are using bulk bags to handle bulk materials due to their superior ratio of package to product. According to reports, about 42 million bulk bags are used annually, illustrating their effectiveness.
If you are looking for a packaging solution tailored to your product specifications, or if your company stores, stacks, or transports large quantities of products, FIBC bags are the best option. However, as with any great solution, FIBC bulk bags are only effective and safe when used appropriately and following the manufacturer's instructions. We hope you have gained a better understanding of bulk bags in your operation as a result of this guide.
If you would like to learn more about FIBC bulk bags or buy the best FIBCs in the industry for your operation, contact THE STRAIGHT WIRE One of the best Wire Manufacturing & Steel Trading in Hebei that can support you in finding the perfect solution for your company's Safe and Efficient Product Handling needs. With our unmatched service and collaboration with our customers, we maximize the value of supply chains. With high-quality products at a low price, we have successfully expanded our portfolio, and our products are known for their reliability, safety, and technological advancements.