About flexible intermediate bulk containers:

• Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBC), usually known as -Jumbo Bags, is similar to the HDPE/PP bags but that of a larger dimension.
• FIBC‘s are one of the most cost efficient and perfect types of wrapping for shipping and pile up dry bulk products.
• They can be formed from both tubular and flat polypropylene (PP) woven fabrics.
• Depending upon the Safe Working Load (SWL) or Safety Factor (SF) FIBC fabrics can be coated or uncoated and vary in terms of weights.
• There are three types of FIBC bags
• Panel Type
• Circular woven
• Baffle type (Square bags)

Product specifications:

• The general bag specifications used in the industry are as follows:

• In general the approximate weight of FIBCs is as follows:

• These bags have capacities ranging from 500-4000 kgs.
• The weight of fabric varies from 180-275 gsm.
• FIBCs can differ from 900 gms to 3 kgs in mass depending upon the bag characteristics and weight to be carried.
• The main machine required for FIBC manufacturing is the Shuttle Loom

Advantages of FIBC:

• Low cost of material handling from the manufacturer to the end user, inclusive of wastage of material.
• Easy filling and discharge.
• Savings in loading/unloading time due to ease of handling.
• Low weight packing for transport.
• Built in safety factor of at least 5:1 on nominal load.
• Transportation of empty FIBCs is cheap and space saving.
• No requirement of pallets when compared to small bags – self supporting.
• Good chemical and organic resistance.
• Eco-friendly, since product is recyclable.
• Can be used for storage in open air (if UV stabilized).

Application of FIBC:

It is used in bulk packaging of:

• Polymers, such as PET and PVC
• Petrochemicals, such as DMT, PTA and polyester chips
• Minerals, such as bentonite, alumina, ebonite, magnetite, mineral ores like nickel
• Agro-products, such as wheat, rice, starch, lactose and sugar
• Chemicals, such as carbon black, dyes and intermediates and fertilizers
• Oil cakes (powder form)
• Detergents
• Oat meal
• Clay, mica and feldspar
• Cement
• Pharmaceuticals
• Fish meal

Raw materials

• High density polyethylene
• Polypropylene

Quality Control and Standards

• FIBCs are usually issued with individual test certificates to the Safe Working Load and Safety Factor.
• There are specified standards for performance evaluation of FIBCs. These include the following:
• Cyclic top lift test.
• Compression / stack test.
• Drop and topple test.
• Tear test.
• Vibration test.
• Righting test.
• UV stability test.

Frequently observed problems:

• Stitching Opened
• Breakages of stitching threads
• Discoloration of bags
• Cuts in fabric
• Inner liner off-set
• In-consistency in bag & liner size
• Battery operated fork lifts.