A bulk bag also known as a flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) is made from flexible fabric and used as an industrial container that businesses can store or transport goods such as sand, fertilizers or plastic granules. They are made from woven fibers of polyethylene or polypropylene. They are widely used because they are a cost effective and recyclable way to transport and store any free-flowing dry goods. They can even be created to hold or filter liquid products.
There are various benefits for using bulk bags. For instance, they are strong and economic while also possessing a versatile design that can be implemented towards for a certain application. All types of industries can use bulk bags as well. Companies have been known to ship beans, borax, coins, carbon black, powders, salts, resins, plastic goods and much more using bulk bags. The same limitations of normal plastic or paper bags and fiber drums just don’t apply to these types of polyethylene bags.
They are also easily stored until they are needed because they can compact down to a fraction of their filled size. As far as efficiency and recycling, they possess a much smaller footprint than most shipping and storage containers. They don’t have any other additional packaging, and they can be recyclable. Businesses also find that they cost efficient because of their low shipping costs.
In order to use a bulk bag, it’s important to size it correctly to what you are transporting or storing. You have to calculate the bulk density of your product, which is the weight of your dry goods in pounds per cubic foot. Bulk bags do have a maximum weight or capacity depending on the design. However, they can hold over 4,000 pounds. Sizing bulk bags is also dependent on the method of shipping. If you plan to ship by truck, your bag will be a larger, but it may be smaller if shipping by a land or sea container.
Product flow types also have to be understood to use bulk bags correctly. It’s pertinent to know the fill or discharge spout sizing for your bags. If your product is free flowing and prone to slippage, then you’ll want a stronger bulk bag. Some bags can also support hygroscopic products or those that absorb water.
When purchasing a bulk bag, you’ll need to know the exact measurements that you need. These are determined by spout width, spout length, side width and length inside seam.
The spout width or the pull flat measurement must be multiplied by two and then divided by 3.14 to decide what the diameter of the spout will be. The spout length is determined by the setting seam to top of the bag’s chute. The side with is measured from the center of the bag in between the inside sew lines. Length inside seam can be measured from the center of the side between the inside sew lines.
Bulk bags are also quite safe to use. They are tested by the National Engineering Laboratory and must pass European Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container Association (EFIBCA) standards. Once passed, they are issued with test certificates that state that are safe under the Safe Working Load and Safety Factor. The EFIBCA is under the European Trade Association of manufacturers.
One factor that separates bulk bags from other containers is that they don’t damage easily. While they aren’t made of steel, bulk bags are made from polypropylene, which is one of the toughest man-made fabrics available. They can only be damaged if not handled properly or when recklessly transported. Equipment handling bulk bags should be regularly checked as forklift truck tines that have rough edges can cause damage to bulk bags.
Bulk bags are also known to be stable containers. Bags can be stacked on top of one another for maximum capacity and storage. Bags can be stacked up to three or four high. The stability and height of the stack depends on what is being stored or transported. Bags are typically stacked in a pyramid fashion. Once a free-flowing dry product has settled into the bag, some bulk bags may need to have some air removed before bags can be stacked. If the bag does have an internal liner, it will typically need to have air removed. The height of the bag should never exceed twice the width to avoid problems and promote the best stability.
For free-flowing products like fine powders, it may be essential to purchase special bulk bags that have powder-proof lining. These were developed in 1984 and have continued to evolve the needs of different industries to the point that liquids can now be transported using bulk bags. These use liners that are shaped to the bag itself.
The green benefits to using bulk bags for businesses is clear. They can be reused and recycled easily. They are made from recycled products, and they have a longer lifetime than fiber containers or other storage materials. Bulk bags can carry up to a 1,000 times its own weight, and they have integral lifting loops, which means that you don’t have to use pallets. This is another green benefit of using bulkg bags.
You can also print product information easily on bulk bags because of woven polypropylene properties. This allows products to be easily identified when transported. Since they use up less space and are simple to use, many industries have changed over to using bulk bags recently. With strong and flexible containers, companies are able to ship more dry goods and find that they have a lower unit cost especially when shipping. More than 25 million bulk bags are sold in Europe every year because of these benefits. They are used in all kinds of industries from chemical to pharmaceutical to food producers. They can also be to ship hazardous chemicals.
By using bulk bags, companies can save money and contribute to a smaller footprint for their business.
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