Flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) are one of the most practical packaging solutions around. Made from high-quality woven polypropylene, these sturdy containers can hold a considerable amount of weight. They’re used across many industries to store and transport everything from food to flammable powders. While businesses are attracted to FIBCs because of their affordability, there are many more benefits to bulk bags. They excel when it comes to product protection, while there’s a broad scope for customization. Need more convincing that bulk bags are the right choice for your operation? FIBCs are one of the most eco-friendly types of packaging around. If you’re looking to curb your carbon footprint and make your business more environmentally friendly, there’s no better choice.
Using a flexible intermediate bulk container makes financial sense. They make production transportation incredibly easy, while also serving as a cost-effective storage solution. Because you don’t have to use pallets for transporting bulk bags, you do away with secondary packaging costs. What’s more, woven polypropylene bags are lightweight. In other words, you’re not paying to ship all that dead weight that you would be if you were using rigid containers.
Planning on transporting big volumes of perishable materials or construction materials? Bulk bags are the way to go. As the name suggests, these heavy-duty containers can carry significant loads, meaning you can transport more material in a single bag. They’re also ideal for storage. If your warehouse capacity is limited, FIBCs are a better choice than rigid containers. They’re stackable and don’t require pallets in order to store them. When you’re not using them, they can be folded down so you don’t have to allocate precious space to storage.
If you’re storing and moving fragile products, it’s tempting to go with rigid containers. However, there’s no guarantee this packaging will deliver the protection you need. Bulk bags are surprisingly durable, making them ideal for more delicate products. Thanks to the thermoplastic material used in their construction, they’re also suitable for handling products like hazardous chemicals, while container liners can be used to transport and store perishables.
Bulk bags are resistant to moisture, making them ideal in almost any environment. Water stays out, preventing spoiling and mold growth. What’s more, that hard-wearing protective barrier means you don’t have to worry about pests gaining a foothold. This makes them perfect for use in agricultural settings and food supply chains.
FIBC packaging is used across many different sectors. These heavy-duty containers are commonly used in the chemical, manufacturing, engineering, mining, and agricultural industries. They’re a multipurpose packaging solution and can be readily adapted for all situations.
While bulk containers can be difficult to handle, FIBC packaging has no such limitations. You don’t need pallets to get an FIBC bag from A to B. Instead, these flexible containers come with lifting loops so they can be handled with hoists, cranes, and forklifts.
They can also be used to house materials of any kind. FIBC packaging can accommodate bulky contents, such as construction or building materials. However, they’re also suitable for finer materials, such as grains, powders, and more.
Worried about your operations green credentials? Investing in eco-friendly packaging is one of the easiest ways you can start doing your bit for the planet. However, there’s a big difference between using sustainable packaging and reusable packaging. The majority of FIBC bags are made from virgin polypropylene. This woven material is incredibly durable, but it can readily be recycled and turned into other plastic products once your bulk bags have reached the end of their operational life. Although you’ll need to consider what your used FIBC bags have been used for before recycling them, there are relatively few restrictions in place. Bags that have been used to store things like chemicals, fertilizers, and construction materials can all be recycled into new plastic products.
Most bulk bags are designed to be reused many times before you need to think about recycling them. If you’re thinking about reusable FIBC bags, make sure you’re ordering ones with a 6:1 safety factor ratio. These bags are designed for multiple uses, without you having to worry about compromised structural integrity and wear and tear.If you would like to learn how to recycle bulk bags, check out our other article.
There’s a reason why FIBC bags are used across so many industries. As well as being affordable, they’re customizable. Some businesses choose bulk bag customization for brand awareness. You can opt for bespoke branding that incorporates your corporate colors and logos. It’s a cost-effective and underutilized marketing tactic that many companies overlook.
However, you can also consider more practical customization of bulk bags. Do you have some pretty specific sizing requirements? Rather than spend extra on bags that are too big for your everyday needs, you can customize the size of your FIBCs to make efficient use of your space. You can also choose particular filling and discharge features, which will streamline day-to-day operations and enhance health and safety.
Do you need FIBC packaging for a specific task? You’ll need to think about FIBC types. Type A bags are considered the standard and are suitable for transporting non-flammable products. If you need to transport flammable powders, consider Type B bags. For more challenging environments, go with Type C bulk bags. As well as being suitable for transporting materials like flammable powders, they can also be used in areas where flammable vapors and combustible dusts are present. Finally, think about Type D FIBCs. These containers boast anti-static properties, preventing the chance of brush discharges and sparks.
