Big bags which are also commonly referred to as Flexible Intermediate Big Containers (FIBC) are an excellent device for shipping products but they appear to have difficult time gaining popularity within certain industries. In Europe, the bags are more widely used, and the uses are greater across many more industries. In the UK, bags are extensively used in certain industries, whereas others have not embraced them as the go-to for their preferred packaging for intermediate use.
What is an FIBC?
A FIBC which is also called a large bag basically a bag that is constructed of threads of polypropylene which are weaved. The fabric for the bag is constructed exactly the same way as you make cotton clothing, where the threads are made and put together. The distinct difference is that the bags can carry a huge deal of weight. Normally they are shipped with between 2200 and 3000 pounds of different materials. If the proper storage equipment has been installed, the bags are able to accommodate up to 12,000 lbs.
What kinds of goods or materials can be kept in FIBCs or big bags?
Many industries already utilize large bags like agricultural, aggregate, grains, fertilizer, plastics and chemicals, powders, mining, etc. The most common markets using bags are pharmaceuticals, food, agriculture and chemicals.
Every market would prefer to have their goods shipped in big but it is not always possible. Some customers aren’t able to handle big trucks and prefer a smaller quantity of materials. For instance an agriculturalist who requires just 2,000 pounds of fertilizer or seeds might not take an entire truckload, so big bags are the best choice. A different scenario is when you ship internationally in shipping containers, big bags are a great way for countries that aren’t industrialized to receive goods. Shipping chemicals to be used in the gold mining industry to Africa does not be suitable for huge shipments. The products must be packed delivered in small bags or big bags which enables them to be handled in the absence of a proper infrastructure (dirt roads, a lack of equipment).
Why aren’t FIBCs and big bags used more frequently?
There are a variety of reasons why FIBCs have not used in more industries are either skepticism or misconceptions about the product. For those who are skeptical, many don’t believe that a 5 kg plastic bag is able to carry 3,000 lbs. until they are in an industry where they witness the process being carried out. It is because people aren’t aware of the way they work and think that a huge infrastructure is required to load or take the boxes off. Big boxes are easy for some industries to identify by, since they are aware of how a box works. In addition, some companies already have significant investments in equipment to unload boxes, such boxes tippers. Stacking could influence the decision too. Many businesses stack on the floor three times which means boxes can be stacked three-high without much thought, while large bags take more preparation and knowledge about the item.
Why Do You Need Big Bags?
Easy to store
On average, large bags with the same amount as a large box will have about 200 bags on a normal sized pallet. So, on average, 7000 bags cover the same amount of space as 500 large boxes. If your company is tight on space, this could prove to be an incredible benefit.
Easier to procure
For boxes that are new procurement managers need to continually purchase boxes to meet demands. When it comes to used boxes, which many industries use, these are sometimes not available and the requirement to look for many vendors (each every month) is necessary. The search for used gaylord boxes is contingent on the quantity of production who are producing the boxes being discarded. If industrial production is down, there’ll be fewer boxes available on the market for sale on. Bags, on the other hand, may be less frequent, as the space used to store one bag will be the same as a truckload of boxes.
Easier to handle
A large-sized bag weighs about 4-6 pounds in the average, so one female worker is able to handle them. In contrast, an octagon-shaped box requires two people to prepare for loading and weighs from 30-45 pounds.
Ability to hold more weight
A big wall of 4-5 inches holds between 1800 and 2,000 lbs. while a bigger bag can be designed to hold up to 4,000lbs. using the same footprint as an enormous box. This means that you’re on the same footprint, but two times the mass.
Landscaping Supply Companies
A small number of companies deliver mulch, rocks, stones, sand dirt and more. in big bags. There are many reasons to use these bags, since they could be used to transport a load of 5 or more items at the same time in separate bags, which keep each item separated. Additionally, each bag could be transported to the exact location where it will be used. Most use big trucks which means that the materials will be mixing during shipment or dispatch several trucks. In addition, they will place it all in one central location, and then it must be moved using a hand or another method to the location where it’s needed.
Construction
What kinds of building materials? Companies in the construction industry could gain from using bags, as they could put the bag right where the material is being used or discarded. Thus, eliminating the need to transport materials several times that require a lot of labor. For example pipe fittings, concrete ties, bricks, mortar, rebar and so on. If materials are being dumped in an improvement project such as a renovation project, the bags could be placed near the rehab site and then loaded once and then taken away to a dumpster. Big bags could save considerable time.
Recycling
Whether you are recycling plastic, metal or clothing these bags could offer a major advantage over big boxes. If you are shipping these materials abroad baggies can be stacked two in a shipping container and equipped to clear any empty space. Also, you can eliminate the need for expensive pallets treated with heat. When using boxes, you have to use pallets, therefore the cost is more expensive.
Charitable Organizations
Charitable organisations take in an array of items including books, clothes toys, shoes and many other items. They must manage all the material in order to sell it in a retail outlet or make it ready for shipping out to other countries. Bags are made in different sizes/heights to accommodate diverse kinds of materials that must be handled. For example, a bag could be made 84″ high, which means there would only be a necessity for one bags per two boxes going into the container from overseas. Also, the largest bag could be 24″ high and be placed next to a table to sort it into the various bags, which means there is more room for potential for flexibility.
As stated above there are numerous advantages for using bags with large capacity and therefore certain businesses or industries need to look at what is required to move to big bags. They won’t be satisfied. If you require more information call a big-bag supplier for more information.
