Looking to embrace a more sustainable approach to bulk packaging or unlock significant cost-savings? Below, we’ll explore 10 of the biggest benefits of FIBC containers for bulk material handling.
Today, most FIBC bags are made from high-grade polypropylene, with thick strands of the material woven together to form robust sheets that are then stitched together. Storage capacities of FIBCs are typically very generous, with most bags able to comfortably accommodate loads of up to 1,000 kilograms.
We can trace the origin of FIBC bags back to the 1950s. First used in Japan and Europe, they quickly gained traction and later became popular in the United States during the 1960s. While they served a similar purpose, early bulk bags were markedly different from modern-day ones.
The material composition was markedly different, with these formative bulk bags made from welded sheets of materials like nylon and polyester. However, these early FIBCs did boast a few familiar hallmarks, including lift swings akin to modern lifting loops. While their impressive load-bearing capabilities and durable design allowed them to be used for similar purposes as FIBC bags of today, an expensive price tag limited their appeal. However, they would become far more accessible with the introduction of polypropylene, with this material quickly becoming the standard for FIBC bags.
Reduced costs led to an explosion in popularity, with bulk bags becoming a sought-after commodity in the United States during the 1970s. Elsewhere in the world, a boom in the construction industry led to increased demand for FIBCs. By the following decade, further applications for bulk bags were being explored, including the handling and transportation of hazardous materials.
Unsurprisingly, this led to a need for compliance for FIBC containers. Robust FIBC container safety standards became the norm, establishing strict rules on operational use and performance testing. FIBC container regulation continues to evolve, with regular amendments to safety rules.
In the years that followed, advancements in material technology and innovations in FIBC customization have broadened the appeal for bulk bags. Today, the FIBC market generates more than $7 billion annually, with bulk bags used across many industries. FIBC containers for agriculture serve as durable storage solutions for animal feed and perishables, while FIBC containers for construction can be used to protect high-value materials and transport heavy loads.
There are several types of FIBC containers available, with each one serving a particular purpose. Let’s take a closer look at each one, along with their unique applications.
Type A bags are one of the most commonly encountered FIBCs. Unlike other varieties of bulk bags, Type A bags offer no electrostatic protection. While this isn’t really an issue if you’re looking for FIBC containers for food industry applications, it does become a problem when dealing with combustible materials. When FIBCs are filled and discharged, static charges can be generated, resulting in a fire risk. This also makes Type A bags unsuitable for use in flammable environments.
Type B FIBCs are somewhat similar to Type A bags. Like their Type A counterparts, they don’t dissipate static electricity. However, the key difference here is the materials used to construct Type B bags. The material used here helps minimize the incidence of propagating brush charges, although this doesn’t render them completely antistatic. As such, it’s still possible for ignition to occur. Type B bags are suitable for storing and transporting dry powders, including flammable ones. However, they should only be used in gas and solvent-free environments.
Sometimes referred to as groundable FIBCs, Type C bags are made from non-conductive polypropylene, which is then combined with conducting yarns to form a gridded material. The application of conductive yarns is what makes Type C bags groundable, rendering them safe for handling flammable powders. It also makes these bulk bags suitable for use in environments where combustible gasses, dust, and vapors are an occupational hazard.
Finally, there are Type D FIBC bags. These bulk bags are fashioned from static protective material, which prevents incidences of brusk discharges and incendiary sparks. What makes these different from Type C bags is that Type D bags don’t need to be grounded in order to prevent sparks and brush discharges. As with Type C bags, they’re ideal for handling flammable powders and can be used in hazardous environments.
There are many FIBC container advantages that set them apart from other types of bulk bags and container solutions. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the most obvious benefits.
Thanks to their versatile nature, bulk bags are used by many industries and have numerous applications. You’ll find FIBC containers for chemicals, construction materials, food products, and more.
Cost-saving FIBC containers are an affordable alternative to other types of packaging and an inexpensive choice for bulk material handling. Recycled bulk bags are even more cost-effective, with lower material costs and cheaper manufacturing processes lowering the price.
FIBCs are one of the most durable packaging solutions on the planet. Bulk bags made from polypropylene are exceptionally hard-wearing, resisting punctures and tears. This not only protects high-value materials from spoiling and avoids spills, but it also allows some bulk bags to be reused. Depending on the exact applications, durable FIBC containers can be reused multiple times.
As well as being lightweight and durable, bulk bags also boast impressive storage capacities, expanding FIBC container uses. Bulk bags are available in a range of sizes, with the biggest FIBCs on the market able to accommodate up to 2,000 kilograms. This makes them a practical solution for handling and transporting bulkier content, as well as a good choice for long-term storage of large volumes of material.
Thanks to the inclusion of lifting loops, bulk bags are compatible with a range of machinery, including cranes and forklifts. This allows for easy handling, making bulk bags a compatible solution for operations of any size. What’s more, FIBCs can be filled and discharged quickly, speeding up logistics considerably.
Certain FIBCs, such as Type C and Type D bags, are specially designed to be used in hazardous conditions. What’s more, their advanced designs and unique material composition make them the only option for handling high-risk materials.
Provided that they’re used in a closed-loop system, many FIBCs can be reused several times. This reduces the demand for a constant stream of new bags, making them an environmentally-friendly option. Furthermore, as polypropylene is highly recyclable, the raw materials used to make FIBCs can be repurposed once bulk bags come to the end of their operational life.
Short on space? FIBC bags are a practical storage solution if space is at a premium. As they can be stacked, they’re suitable for storing large quantities of material in small warehouses.
Whether you’re active in agriculture or hard at work within the construction sector, FIBCs are an essential addition to your operation. These durable containers are ideal for safely transporting huge volumes of material, with advanced materials giving them an extended lifespan. Logistics-friendly features like lifting loops make transporting goods a breeze, while most FIBCS can be readily customized to meet the exacting demands of your workflows.
