FIBC’s – Types and Uses

FIBC’s are the most cost effective and ideal types of packaging for shipping and storing dry bulk products.  They can be produced from either tubular or flat polypropylene (PP) woven fabrics. These fabrics can be coated or uncoated and vary in difference weight depending on the requirements of the Safe Working Load (SWL) and Safety Factor (SF).

1 & 2 Loop Bags

One and two loop FIBC’s are less complicated and more economical in comparison with the four loop FIBC’s. They are produced from tubular body fabrics to obtain a higher breaking strength within the fabric. The top lifting points are wrapped with sleeves which can be manufactured in different colour for ease of product identification. Coloured sleeves also make the lifting points highly visible for truck operators enabling easy handling of the bags by either a hook of a fork.

The most commonly used is normally uncoated with an open top and a PE liner inserted, although coated designs are also available: these include square, star or single seam base. Discharge spouts can also be applied, but this is specifically for the square base design only. For a manual filling application, bags are press bailed and packed on pallets; however, bags can also be wound on rolls to be used on automatic filling stations if required.

4 Loop Standard FIBC’s

The 4 loop structure offers a more robust and technical semibulk packaging that safely and securely protects your high value, high purity products.

A 4 Loop FIBC can be as simple as an open top with a flat base used commonly within the building industry or, as a high tech unit produced within a clean room production environment to be used within the food/pharmaceutical industries. Most importantly, each FIBC is manufactured to meet a customer’s specific requirement.

4 Loop Formed Bags

Baffle bags are FIBC’s which form a cubic shape. The cube form is obtained by sewing baffle panels inside the bag. This then prevents the bulging of the bag when filled and therefore, fulfils the minimum space requirement.

Standard baffles are more commonly used within the FIBC industry however, net baffles are used for products which have a higher viscosity and require an easier, faster flow of material.

Ventilated Bags

These fabrics are specially designed to permit the required air flow through the fabric into the bag. Ideal for potato seeds, PP netting is used on two sides panels to allow greater air permeability, offering great advantages by using ventilated FIBC’s for handling, storing and transporting products as opposed to the old fashioned 25/50kgs woven or potato sacks. Ventilated bags have a major application in the shellfish and agriculture industries.

Conductive Bags – TYPE C Bags

Some bulk materials can create static energy during filling and discharging which may cause an electrostatic discharge in the bag or on its surface. If there is flammable dust or gas in present in the atmosphere during the filling and discharging process, there is a risk of fire or explosion. To prevent this hazard, grounded FIBC’s are the ideal solution.

The conductivity of these units is usually provided by carbon tapes which are woven into the fabric and the webbing. Silver tapes are used instead of carbon for food applications. The body construction of the FIBC can be produced from a flat or circular Fabric either coated or uncoated. Conductive Liners are also available for use if waterproof applications are required. TYPE C FIBC’s must be grounded during the filling and discharging process and every groundable bag produced is 100% checked and labelled accordingly for its conductivity.

Corona Bag – TYPE D Bags

Corona TYPE D bags offer an alternative to the above TYPE C bags. The special construction of the Type D fabric eliminates the need of an earth connection during the filling and discharging of materials, therefore TYPE D bags are a more practical then the groundable bags and avoid operator errors.

The Crohmiq® fabric was developed to cover a growing need for an ungrounded static protective solution for bulk packaging. Due to its reputable safety record, as of today, over 500 leading companies worldwide prefer FIBCs manufactured from Crohmiq® fabric for their static bulk bag requirements

Contact us for more information.