FIBC bags play a vital role when it comes to the transportation of dry bulk products. As many different industries worldwide use different raw materials, bulk bags give a perfect transportation solution to such materials. It would definitely be difficult for industries to run without these incredibly versatile FIBCs. However, different industries use different types of these flexible intermediate bulk bags in many different ways. Knowing what is right for your industry is crucial for the safe and effective transportation of relevant goods. This article will inform you how different industries choose and FIBC bags uses, also known as bulk totes, super totes, or bulk bags, to get the right benefits.

Make sure to make the right choice!

Why are FIBCs so important?-Prior to discuss FIBC bags uses…

Many industries use bulk storage totes to store, handle and transport dry bulk products with a powdery, flaky, or granular surface texture. Before FIBCs, industries used corrugated cartons for this job, but they faced many different problems. It was expensive to manufacture them and was not easy to handle. Finding FIBCs as a solution offered them many distinct advantages. These polypropylene woven bulk totes are cost-effective to manufacture.

They are easy to handle, lift, fold, and even takes less space to store when not in use. Some are manufactured with special safety features as well to ensure employee safety. They are incredible when it comes to the package-to-product ratio. An FIBC which weighs only about five to seven pounds can store a metric ton of a product in it. Isn’t that a supper win in cost and space reduction?  

These bags are made from the most eco-friendliest plastic polymer polypropylene, making them more desirable in the industrial world. As the world is moving towards sustainability, these bulk bag manufacturers offer bulk bag reuse and bulk bag recycling programs as well. Bulk bag suppliers have these super sack bags in different sizes and finishes.

Unlike traditionally used corrugated packaging, FIBC bags can be designed as per the requirement of the customer. This versatility saves labor and makes it convenient and safer to do the job. Most of the bags are 4-loop FIBCs which are single-layer super sack totes. Not only that but also, some of the bags have an extra protective layer, and some are laminated. With all these environmental, economic, and functional advantages, polypropylene woven bags are now a staple in the industrial world. 

Categorizing industrial tote bags 

Not all dry bulk products sit well in all types of super sacks or bulk bag FICBs. There is a proper guideline to select appropriate packaging for the relevant product which goes inside the bags. Bulk bags manufacturers have four major categories of FICB bags. This categorization is done based on the degree of static protection each type offers.

Why is static protection so important?

As these bags are made from plastic polymer, there are static risks associated with these packaging.FIBC bags are also UV-treated by manufacturers to avoid the accumulation of static charge while filling and discharging dry bulks. By doing this, they avoid accidents that can happen by ignitions, explosions due to static charge. Therefore, based on this crucial factor, FIBC bags are in four main categories. If your industry works with material that fuels static charge accumulation, make sure to order the right type to avoid accidents.

Let us see what they got here.

Type A

These bags do not have static protection and are plain

Type B

These bags avoid the accumulation of brush discharges and therefore protect against low voltage

Type C

These bags can control electric charge when grounded as they have interconnecting panels. These are to transport explosive, flammable powders. 

Type D

These bags are made completely from static-protective fabric. It prevents brush discharges, incendiary sparks, and for that, it does not need grounding as in type C. Therefore, this FIBC bag type eliminates accidents that can happen due to grounding failure when transporting flammable powders. 

Read more about these four types and their primary usage here. 

Making the right choice- What is right for your industry?

We have listed below some common industries and the use of different types of FIBC bags in each of them. There, you can see how and why different bags suit different dry bulk products.

Go through the list and get to know more about these incredible versatile packaging. 

In other words, here we are going to unveil the FIBC bags uses in detail.

Bags for Building Materials/ Bags for Metals/ Bags for Mining/ Bags for Landscaping material- FIBC Bags Uses

All construction projects and mining operations rely on many aggregate products in huge quantities. While constructions need different raw materials, mining operations generate a huge amount of products. All these products need proper transportation packaging to go to and from their working sites. Rightly selected FIBC bags are the perfect partner for this job. Heavy-duty, reinforced bulk polypropylene bags are versatile, durable, and strong to handle these sturdy materials.

Not all construction materials fit in the same bag type. FBICs without liners are good for bricks, chunks of ore, ballast, and metal-bearing-like material. Baffled bags which come with reinforced panes (baffles) that keep the bags in shape after loading the items are ideal for massive construction goods. Of course, these bags help to move heavy items without breaking and spilling. For powdered materials like sand and cement, those will not work. 

Bags for sand, soil/ Bags for Minerals

Heavy-duty FIBC bags with liners are the ones that are suitable for powdered material and construction aggregate material like sand and soil. Liners keep the powders without letting them leak or puff. After filling, the bags must be sealed well from the top as well. On the other hand, sift proofing methods are used to prepare bags to store powder and sand. There a few different types of sift-proofing;

Type A sift proofing

A nonwoven filler is placed on one side of the bulk tote’s seam.

Type B sift proofing

The nonwoven filler is placed on both sides of the outer seam. This strengthens the bag FIBC.

Type C sift proofing

You will find the nonwoven filler on both inside and outside of the bulk tote’s outer seam. These bags are for finely powdered products. 

Sift-proofed, coated bulk bags are also ideal for carrying minerals as they can generate fine or flowing powders. Many construction super sack manufacturers offer bag customization with loop styles and bag sizes to suit specific operations. These construction bulk totes sit well on trucks, shelves, and pallets, making them convenient to load in and out. Duffle Top, Spout Bottom – Bulk Bag with the coating is good for sand and soil-like items. 

Bags for Chemicals- FIBC Bags Uses

When handling chemicals, handlers must follow strict safety protocols to ensure their safety and the surrounding. Different chemicals have different storing, transportation, and disposing of methods. Therefore, being aware of the proper safety regulations is crucial. Some chemicals can be organic, and some can be toxic. No matter the type, all must go in packages which can transport them safely without contamination to the relevant delivery destinations. 

FIBC bags are made from the highest quality plastic polymer polypropylene, which is unreactive with almost everything from water to chemicals. This amazing property makes them the perfect packaging to store and transport chemicals. When the chemicals risk static charge accumulation, make sure to select type C or type D super sacks. Remember that type C needs grounding. Many chemical manufacturers used these two types to deliver their goods. These bags are super strong, and these jumbo bags can hold more than 4000 pounds of the chemical. Various acids and bases are stored and shipped in these bulk FIBCs. 

Bags for Environmental – Hazmat

If you have to carry hazardous chemicals and waste products, you have to use UN-certified super sacks. FIBC manufacturers follow the UN-issued chemical industry guideline when manufacturing this category of bulk tote bags, ensuring safety. These bags have the required 6:1 safety ratio, and they can withstand the harshest treatment. All the bags carrying chemicals must have proper labeling with visible clear lettering. It should include information about the chemicals inside and instructions to handle them.

If interested, learn more about UN- certification process of bulk bags. 

Bags for Wood

When transporting wooden products like firewood, wood pellets, and similar wood items, we need to use vented FIBC bags. Especially for fresh-cut firewood, these vents facilitate ‘firewood seasoning.’ In this process, bags allow the wood to breathe and evaporate moisture out, keeping them dry for use. If there is no proper ventilation for wood products, mold and mildew can easily grow on them, which will damage the quality. These bags use almost the same construction method as common FICB bags. The difference is that it usually includes thin single-strand fabric strips instead of PP strips running along all four sides of the bulk tote. The strips allow air to flow in and out of the bag keeping the goods inside from moisture building. 

Bags for food-FIBC Bags Uses

As many countries export their food items to other countries, and even within the country, food producers need proper packaging to transport bulk production. Food items are prone to contamination, so packaging which avoids that is essential. That is where the food producers need food-grade FIBC bags, which make the perfect packaging for storing and transporting food. Food-grade bulk plastic bags are manufactured very carefully, adhering to the standards given by authorities. In the USA, food-grade bulk bags manufacturers must follow US FDA standards. However, bulk bag buyers should understand that there is no FIBC bag type as FDA-approved bulk totes. Food safety standards like AIB, SQF, and BRC are used to certify these food-grade bulk bags. 

Manufacturers use only 100% virgin polypropylene pellets to produce FIBCs for food to assure zero contamination possibilities. According to US FDS regulations regarding food safety, it is a must to use 100% virgin PP.

The strength and flexibility of these bulk tote bags make them ideal for storing flaky, powdery, or granular food bulks like sugar, coffee, flour, nuts, seeds, etc. Food producers have to select the appropriate food-grade bulk tote, depending on the texture and type of food going inside it. 

Bulk bag suppliers have a range of FIBCS with and without liners to suit different food items. They have,

Bags for Food – Coffee, Teas, Seasonings-

These goods must reach their customers fresher and dryer. Therefore manufacturers make these food-grade bags with liner and without coating. Food producers also use ventilated bulk bags to keep coffee beans and nuts safe from damage due to moisture. These bags are ideal for bulk productions of decaffeinated coffee beans, ground coffee, roasted coffee, and nuts like almonds, pecans, peanuts. 

Bags for Food – Meat, Poultry, Dairy

Duffle Top, Spout Bottom-food grade bulk bags are ideal for storing and transporting meat, poultry, and dairy. 

Bags for Food – Sugar, Salt, Starch

As these are fine granules and powdery food items, a food-grade Duffle Top, Spout Top – bulk bag with liners should be your choice. These bags make it easy to fill and dispose of the product in and out of the bags. The spout also makes it easy to secure the bag properly. 

Bags for Food – Rice, Beans, Grains, potatoes

Bulk bags designers and manufacturers work with the agriculture field closely to give perfect packaging solutions in all sizes and features to suit various products that come out of farms. Duffle Top, Spout Bottom –baffle bulk bags are perfect for rice and grains. Open Top, Spout Bottom – vented bulk bags, and Open Top, Spout Bottom – vented bulk bags are perfect for beans and potatoes like goods to keep them fresh. Of course, any food manufacturers use Red mesh bags or polypropylene mesh bags to store and transport relatively small quantities of food like potatoes and onions. However, for bulk soring and transportation, the food-grade FIBC bag styles above mentioned are the best. 

Bags for Paints, Pigments, Coatings- Another one of the leading FIBC bags uses

These versatile FIBC bags can also store bulks like paints, pigments, filler media, and coatings. As these are finely powdered chemicals most of the time, it is crucial to transport them, ensuring the safety of the handlers. This is because they can build up electrostatic charges. FIBC suppliers recommend type C and type D super sacks for these materials. Liners in FIBC bags make sure that the fine powders do not puff out from the body and seams of the bags. If any of the materials include hazardous substances, make sure to use UN-certified bulk tote bags, which we discussed earlier. 

Bags for Pharmaceutical Products-FIBC Bags uses

Same as above, pharmaceutical products also include chemicals and sometimes hazardous substances. Because of that, the correct type of bulk plastic totes or the FIBCs is perfect to safely carry these substances from place to place. Pharmaceutical materials are easily prone to cross-contamination, accelerated degradation, and moisture damage.

To avoid that from happening, you must select the pharmaceutical grade FIBC option if you are in this industry. Not only that, the capsules, pills, coarse filler, and even fine powders can build up an electrostatic charge which will destroy the whole bulk in no time. Therefore, it is best to consult your bulk bag supplier and get their advice depending on which pharmaceutical item you have for bulk packing. Remember again; if you are dealing with hazardous pharmaceutical items, you must go for UN-certified super sacks. 

Bags for Plastics – Resins, Pellets

Plastic has become a major raw material for many industries established across the globe. Therefore, effective transportation of plastic is essential to cater to the demands. Bulk bag manufacturers have their bulk tote variations to store and carry polypropylene resin and polyethylene pellets. Mostly they recommend baffle bags for transporting packaging plastic and pellets. These bags are easy to fill and stack. 

Bags for Paper Products, Pulp

To transport paper products and pulp, you can use baffle FIBC bags as the baffles keep the shape of the bag rigid. Consequently, this will not distort the products inside them. 

Bags for Adhesives

Adhesives are a major raw material for many industries. If you need to get them in bulk, four-panel bulk bags are the perfect selection to get your job done effectively.  

Bags for Environmental – Refuse

When handling hazardous trash in bulks also, FIBC bags come to our rescue. Though it is ultimately trash, transporting and handling it must be done very cautiously. There can be toxic and hazardous material among wastes which can generate dangerous outcomes. In such situations, UN-certified packaging groups II and III must be used by the trash handlers. Wondering what are among hazardous waste?

Some of them are asbestos, toxic chemicals, corrosives, radioactive waste, explosive waste, flammable liquids and solids, oily wet products, and glass waste.

Bags for Petroleum, Coal Products

As these are flammable products, you must be cautious about the static charge build-up when transporting them. If any static charge is produced by accident, hazardous explosions can happen. Therefore, when transporting petroleum and coal products, type C and type D, FIBC bags are suitable. Type C bags must ensure proper grounding. 

Bags for Spec Minerals – Carbon Black/ Bags for Spec Minerals – TiO2

Carbon black and Titanium dioxide are minerals that need specially designed bulk totes to store. They need durable lined FIBC bags as they come as powders or granular metals. Type D bags are ideal for such minerals assuring the safety of the employees handling the bags.

Bags for Filter Media – One of the most important FIBC bags uses

This special FIBC category known as DeWatering super sacks allows liquids to drain out from wet fluid mixtures. Concrete slurry dewatering and sludge drying are two major situations where you can find these bags in use. When constructing these bags, manufacturers use special porous PP fabric. The tensile strength of the yarns used for warp and weft are higher than the ones used commonly. The bag’s bottom dump can carry mud weighing more than 2000 pounds. Aren’t these versatile super sacks incredible? Handlers use flocculating agents before pumping slurry solids or filter media into these super sacks to avoid the bag-pores from getting clogged. 

What is a Woven Poly Laminate Bag?

Apart from bulk FICB bags, many bulk tote bag manufacturers supply woven poly laminate bags. These are relatively small packaging bags that are very strong, tear-resistant, and also resistant to puncture. Moreover, these small bags are ideal for carrying dry goods like fertilizer, pet food, ceramics, grains, seeds, and even sand in relatively small quantities. Bags are tubular in shape, and some come with gussets on either side. As these bags are laminated, air cannot reach the products stack inside them. Many bag manufacturers offer to customize these woven poly laminate bags as per the customer’s requirements. 

All made easy- Bags for Trucking, Warehouse, Storage-FIBC bags uses

After filling with the relevant goods, super sacks must retain their cubic shape to effectively stack them at relevant places. Bags should sit well on truck trailers, container boxes, and warehouses. And these bags are flexible when they are empty, making them very convenient to fold and store before reusing them again or recycling. These features make them perfect for effective use of space, efficient loading, and stacking. 

After use, make sure to reuse and then recycle

Though these are made from the most eco-friendliest plastics available, remember that we should not throw them in the garbage after use. Manufacturers make these bags for reusing them many times. If you use them properly, of course, you can get the maximum benefit before directing these bags to recycling centers.

There are many FIBC bag reuse and recycle programs offered by bulk tote manufacturers in many countries. If you like to know more about the industrial ways of reusing and recycling FIBC super sacks, click (Link to the previous article). 

If you have bulk bags which contained non-hazardous, non-toxic products inside them, you may reuse them at home even. Make sure to read the labels to know what was inside them previously. Relatively small woven poly laminate bags also can be reused at home if they did not include any hazardous material.

For example, we can reuse unreturnable bulk bags in the below methods indoors and outdoors;

– To make compost piles

– To make raised beds

– Waterproof covers for patio furniture like items in winter

– Cut into strips and use as a substitute to weed repressing plastics 

– For collecting leaf mold when gardening 

– To collect garden waste 

– To use as potato planters. Want to know how to use bulk bags as potato planters.

Apart from the above methods,  we are pretty sure you will come up with many other creative ideas to reuse the unreturnable PP bulk totes. 

Now we can clearly see what an important role these FIBC bags play in all different types of industries running across the world. So, as we live in a global village, food, construction material, textiles, wood, and all different kinds of materials need to travel across oceans and skies. For that, these FIBCs make the perfect packaging as they have all different features to store and transport different materials. Moreover, these versatile polypropylene bulk bags can handle from sand to rice to hazardous chemicals safely.

However, as there is a wide range of FIBC bulk totes, you must select the perfect match to deliver your goods safely and efficiently. Selecting the wrong packaging can cause damage to the goods as well as to the handlers. Therefore, always make the correct choice. Consult your bulk bag supplier because they know their bags super well. And finally, please make sure to return the bags to the reuse and recycle programs or reuse them at home if it is safe to do so. In that way, we can get the best out of these incredibly versatile FIBC bulk bags without harming the environment.