History Of FIBC Bag

What Does FIBC Stand For?
FIBC stands for flexible intermediate bulk container, also known as bulk bags However, you may not be aware that there are also some specific requirements a bag must meet in order to be considered an FIBC. An FIBC cannot be handled manually when you fill it, and is made so you can lift it from the top with attached lift loops, straps or similar list-assist devices.

General FIBC History:
We don’t know exactly when FIBC bags originated, but it’s clear it happened in the late 1950s or early 1960s.There is some controversy as to where the first FIBCs were made; however, it is known that FIBCs were made in the United States, Europe, and Japan during the time period mentioned above. 

The first FIBC bags looked a little different. They were typically made from heavy-duty, PVC-coated nylon or polyester, and the cut sheets were welded together. The bags either contained lift swings, which were integrated into the container, or attached to a pallet. These bags were very rugged and had high weight capacities, but were very expensive. This led to the sewn, woven polypropylene bags we see today. 

In the 1970s, FIBCs earned a major feature on the world stage. During the oil crisis and as the Middle East began building the massive oil production culture that dominates global trade today, the first production centres were made with cement carried by FIBCs. At the peak of this early phase, around 50,000 metric tons of cement transferred weekly to the Middle Eastern oil construction efforts. 

Demand for FIBCs in the United States grew more quickly in the 1980s, when the U.S. Department of Transportation agreed to grant exemptions so that FIBC bags could be used for the shipping of hazardous materials. To ensure safety, the Chemical Packaging Committee of the Packing Institute established and issued performance standards for FIBC bags. 

By the 1990s, the standardized method of transporting goods via FIBCs was easy to see. Any materials that needed a flexible container–or any industry that wanted to save space in storage warehouses–could be served with FIBCs for better performance and compact resource management.

Today, FIBCs transport over 1/4 billion tons of product each year in a wide range of industries. Fifty million bags were used in 2017 in the US alone. In addition to being used to transport and store products, FIBC bags are used in some areas, including Thailand and North America, to create temporary walls used for flood prevention.

FIBC bags continue to be an extremely popular method of transporting agricultural products and many other precious goods. Why have FIBC bags experience for more than 50 years? Probably because of their many unique features. FIBC bags are extremely easy to store. They can be folded flat and weigh only 2 to 3 kg for a bag that can hold a full metric ton of product. You can store FIBC bags next to and on top of each other, so there is no need for pallets. They are easy to handle, store, fill and discharge with basic equipment.

Advantages of FIBC bag:

• These bags are manufactured by Polypropylene which makes it cost effective.
• They are simple to use.
• These bags are very strong yet flexible.
• An FIBC can carry up to 1000 times its own weight.
• These FIBC bags allow efficient use of space.
• These bags eliminate the need of pallets due to its important lifting loops.
• Packing of powders, granules, flakes or any free-flowing material can be done efficiently.
• Savings packaging cost.
• Do not require further packaging.
• Supplied in a variety of dimensions.
• These bags can be used for hazardous chemicals as specified in the UN recommendations.
• These are designed to be lifted from the top attached devices (lift loops or straps).
• FIBC creates Eco-friendly working conditions.
• Faster loading and unloading of materials.
• These are flexible, collapsible and durable.
• These are available in wide range, from 500 kg to 2500 kg and more.
• FIBC bags are anti-static.
• FIBC bags are customization to your specific requirements.
• By printing on the bags, you can use them as mobile billboards and mention essential product information.
• Recycling and reconditioning.