A flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) is an industrial container made of flexible fabric that is designed for storing and transporting dry, flowable products, such as sand, fertilizer, and granules of plastic.

Bulk bag are also known as Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container (FIBC) or jumbo bag, bulk bag, big bag, is economical and ideal packing used for the storage & transportation of powdered, granulated or bulk products.

FIBCs are most often made of thick woven polyethylene or polypropylene, either coated or uncoated, and normally measure around 110 cm or 45–48 inches in diameter and varies in height from 100 cm up to 200 cm (39 to 79 inches). Its capacity is normally around 1000 kg or 2000 lbs, but the larger units can store even more. A bulk bag designed to transport one metric ton of material will itself only weigh 5–7 lbs.

Transporting and loading is done on either pallets or by lifting it from the loops. Bags are made with either one, two or four lifting loops. The single loop bag is suitable for one man operation as there is no need for a second man to put the loops on the loader hook. Emptying is made easy by a special opening in the bottom such as a discharge spout, of which there are several options, or by simply cutting it open.

Currently, industries that are using bulk bags are:-

    • Chemicals
    • Pharmaceutical Drugs
    • Fertilisers
    • Fiberglass
    • Food Products
    • Grains
    • Shotcrete
    • Construction materials (sand, gravel)
    • Pigments
    • Plastics
    • Refractories
    • Seeds
    • Peanuts
    • Starch
    • Hazardous Waste Material

FIBC bags are manufactured by polypropylene woven fabrics that are stabilized against UV degradation. Each bulk bag can contain load capacities between 500kgs to 2000kgs with safety of 5:1 or 6:1 (5:1 is for Single use & 6:1 is for multiple use or for UN bags), depending on the bag design and size. Optional LDPE inner liner can be included to provide additional protection against moisture ingress.

Food Grade Bags: Food grade bulk bags are made with resins meeting FDA standards with the intent of putting food products into the bags. Food grade FIBCs are manufactured in a clean room facility that can be certified by a food safety standard like the American Institute of Baking (AIB), Safe Quality Foods (SQF), British Retail Consortium (BRC), FSMS etc.