Packaging, storing, and transporting bulk goods without any damage or contamination is vital for any business. Several factors, such as moisture, wear and tear of transport, dust particles, etc., can contaminate a product causing massive damage to the business. This is where FIBC bulk bags come to the rescue.
For decades, FIBC bags have enabled a safe, easy, and economical means of transporting bulk materials in various sectors. FIBC bags are industrial-grade containers that can easily accommodate dry flowable goods such as sugar, grains, fertilizers, and more.
Among all the customizations and varieties available in industrial-grade flexible packaging, food-grade FIBC bags provide the perfect solution for safe storage and transportation.
The following article explains how food-grade FIBC bags are beneficial to various industries.
What Are Food-Grade FIBC Bags?
Food-grade FIBC bags are bulk bags made from thick woven strands of virgin polypropylene and are carefully designed to suit the safety requirements of the food industry.
FIBC bulk bags are ideal for transporting edible materials like grains, seeds, vegetables, fruits, flour, sugar, etc., that are susceptible to damage from exposure to air, light, moisture, and dust.
FIBC bag manufacturers in India must adhere to strict regulations stipulated by the FDA for manufacturing, testing, and quality assurance of food-grade FIBC bags. Only then are these bags deemed fit for packaging and shipping food products and can be certified as food-grade FIBC bags.
Due to their versatility, tensile strength, affordability, and reusability, food-grade FIBC bags are also preferred in many other commercial industries.
Types of Food-Grade FIBC Bags
Food-grade FIBC bags, like all other bulk bags, come with various customizations for top construction, bottom opening, inner lining, and lifting handles.
The following are some common types of food-grade FIBC bags used in industries:
- Baffle FIBC bags: These containers have internal liners or “baffles” that maintain the square shape of the FIBC bag and prevent the contents from shifting during transport.
- Liner FIBC bags: These containers have form-fitted inner liners made from food-grade material, such as polyethene, that provide an additional layer of protection from dust and contamination.
- Ventilated FIBC bags: These containers have vents that allow air to circulate, which helps maintain the freshness of food products, like fruits, and prevent excessive moisture buildup.
- Conductive FIBC bags: These containers are designed to dissipate static electricity, making them ideal for transporting fine powders like sugar, flour, and other electrically charged food products.
- UN Certified FIBC bags: These containers are designed to meet the standards set by the United Nations for the safe transport of dangerous goods and food products.
Benefits of Using Food-Grade FIBC Bags
When selecting the right food-grade FIBC bag for your business, you should consider its design, material, size, and construction.
The following are the benefits of using a well-designed and high-quality food-grade FIBC bag for your bulk operations.
1. Food Safety
Food-grade FIBC bags are made from 100% virgin polypropylene resin. These bags are free from any recycled material and are deemed safe for the storage and handling of food products.
They’re manufactured in clean and hygienic facilities, where they are tested and certified for industrial use.
2. Lightweight and Durable
Food-grade FIBC bags are made from polyethene and polypropylene materials that are strong and durable. These ensure the bags will last long and withstand the rigours of transportation and storage.
With each bag carrying a load of 500–2,000 kgs and a container weighing no more than 2–3 kgs, FIBC bags are a lightweight, flexible packaging option with the lowest package-to-product weight ratio.
3. Cost-Effective
Compared to other food storage options, food-grade FIBC bags are stackable, space-saving, and reduce product wastage, making them relatively cost-effective and an economical solution for storage and transportation.
4. Easy to Handle
With various lifting options, filling spouts, and bottom construction styles, food-grade FIBC bags are easy to handle.
Many industries use them because they can be stacked and stored compactly, saving valuable storage space.
5. Reusable and Environmentally Friendly
Food-grade FIBC bags can be reused multiple times if the surface is undamaged and the products carried are non-hazardous.
Towards the end of the FIBC bulk bags’ life cycle, they can be recycled and refurbished to suit other industries’ operations.
6. Contamination Free
Food-grade FIBC bags protect your goods from contaminants and damage because they are:
- Moisture resistant
- Termite proof
- Flame resistant
- Mould proof
- UV proof
(Note: Premium FIBC manufacturers produce their bags in a clean room facility to ensure the highest hygiene standards).
Industries That Can Benefit From Food-Grade FIBC Bulk Bags
Safety and quality are vital in the food and beverage, chemical, fertilizer, and agriculture industries, as the packaging, storage, transport, and distribution of these goods are governed by several domestic and international regulatory bodies with stringent guidelines.
FIBC bag manufacturers in India understand this and create bulk bags accordingly to maintain the highest standard and quality.
Industries that benefit from well-manufactured food-grade FIBC bags are as follows.
1. Agriculture Industry
A large percentage of FIBC bags are used in the agriculture industry to store and transport various products.
Food-grade FIBC bags are used for packaging wet, dry, granulated, or fine-powdered goods, such as grains, seeds, seasonal produce, and all kinds of harvests. These bags keep the produce contamination free and safe throughout packaging and distribution.
2. Food Processing Industry
Food-grade FIBC bags are resistant to weather conditions and are extensively used in food processing industries.
In addition to grains, flour, vegetables, and fruits, these bags are commonly used for packaging, storing, and shipping granular or powdered materials like sugar, coffee, beans and animal feed.
3. Chemical Industry
In the chemical industry, combustible and dangerous goods need to be handled carefully. Containers holding such goods can accumulate static charges, creating a hazardous environment that puts the lives of employees at risk.
Food-grade FIBC bags with anti-static and dissipative liners are designed to have leakproof seams and dust-proof lining, making them suitable for carrying acids, pesticides, resins, petrochemicals, and more.
4. Construction Industry
The high tensile strength and flexibility of food-grade FIBC bags make them ideal for transporting raw materials such as cement, stone, sand, gravel, asphalt, asbestos waste, and construction debris.
FIBC bag manufacturers may design the handles of the bag to fit your pallets and hooks on the forklift for easy lifting and stacking of the bag.
5. Pharmaceuticals Industry
Food-grade FIBC bags are lined from the inside to dissipate static charges and prevent contamination of the bag. Their sterile manufacturing processes make them suitable for carrying medicines, baby formula, and pharmaceutical raw materials.
6. Minerals and Powdered Substances
Food-grade FIBC bags can be customized to accommodate hazardous minerals that need extra protection during packaging and transporting. Ore concentrates, agricultural minerals (potash, nitrogen), and industrial minerals (carbon black) can securely be transported using food-grade FIBC bags.
Do Food-Grade FIBC Bags Suit All Products?
High-quality flexible packaging containers like food-grade FIBC bags can suit any industry and are especially beneficial if the goods need maximum protection from external factors contributing to contamination.
These FIBC bulk bags provide a safe and secure way to store and transport a variety of goods while offering great value for money.
Every industry has unique requirements, and consequently, transportation and storage also vary between these industries. Only an experienced FIBC bags manufacturer can suggest and construct food-grade FIBC bags that perfectly suit a particular product.
FIBC bag manufacturers in India — such as Big Bags International — are manufacturing marvels who construct food-grade FIBC bags befitting clients’ operations.
We strictly adhere to the international guidelines of FIBC manufacturing to ensure the utmost quality in a bulk bag. All our bags are made in a clean room facility, fully equipped with world-class technology — ultrasonic cutting, an air wash machine, metal detecting, special air filters, pressurized cleaning technology, and more — which eliminates the risk of contamination and produces the highest quality bags.
Big Bags International is an award-winning FIBC bag manufacturer that serves 1000+ clients across the globe. To learn more and discover the full range of products, visit our website.