If you've been following the news recently, you may have heard that there is a corrugated shortage affecting gaylord containers. This has caused prices for corrugated to skyrocket, and many businesses are struggling to find a way to get their products shipped. One great alternative to corrugated is FIBC bulk bags. FIBCs are a great replacement for corrugated because they are durable, economical, and easy to use. In this blog post, we will discuss the corrugated shortage and how switching to FIBC bulk bags can help your business!
What is happening in the corrugated industry?
1. The prices for corrugated cardboard have skyrocketed.
It's normal for corrugated prices to increase periodically, but usually not across the board. Right now, corrugated is happening because of a shortage on production of virgin fiber. According to The Wall Street Journal, prices are up 24% from October in 2016 . This large jump in price is starting to make it difficult for businesses to afford shipping for their products.
2. There is a limited supply of corrugated available.
There are several reasons for the corrugated shortage. One reason is that the demand for corrugated has increased significantly in recent years. With the growth of e-commerce, more and more businesses are shipping their products using corrugated containers. Additionally, the closure of many paper mills has led to a decrease in the availability of corrugated. With these factors creating corrugated supply shortages, this has caused shipping delays for many businesses.
3. The quality of corrugated material has decreased.
One of the main reasons for the decrease in quality of corrugated cardboard is that the manufacturing process is no longer as efficient as it used to be. The fibers used to make corrugated are no longer as strong, which has resulted in a decrease in durability. Additionally, corrugated is not treated with the same chemical coatings as it used to be, which has also contributed to its decreased durability. These factors have all influenced the increase in damages that companies are experiencing during shipment.
FIBC Bulk Bags here to save the day!
FIBC bulk bags are a great alternative to corrugated for a wide variety of reasons. They are durable, easy to use, and are a much more cost effective option than a corrugated gaylord box. Super sack bulk bags can hold up to 4,000 pounds of product (sometimes more), making them ideal for shipping heavy items. Additionally, FIBCs are less expensive than corrugated, and they are easier to use. All you need is a forklift or pallet jack to move them, and they can be stored in a small space.
FIBCs are a type of bulk bag that is made out of heavy-duty woven polypropylene fabric. They are often referred to as "flexible intermediate bulk containers" because they are flexible and can be easily transported. FIBCs are popular among businesses because they are economical, durable, they are resistant to water and moisture, and have the capacity to store a large amount of product.
What features do bulk bags have over corrugated?
FIBC bulk bags have a number of features that make them more advantageous than corrugated gaylord containers for filling and discharging material. For one, FIBC super sacks have different top options, wide or spout style, which makes it easier to fill them with both bulky product or flowable product. Their square shape also allows them to be filled more evenly than cylindrical gaylord containers. It also makes it easier to store and stack other bags next to and on top of each other.
The spout on the top of an FIBC bag allows for controlled material discharge, which eliminates the need to remove the entire bag from the container in order to dump the contents. This feature is especially beneficial when dealing with heavier or more flowable materials.
Overall, FIBC bulk bags offer a number of advantages over corrugated gaylord containers for filling and discharging product. With their top construction options, square shape, and flat bottom (with a spout option), they are easier to fill and discharge than gaylords.
If you're looking for a way to overcome the corrugated shortage, switch to using FIBC bulk bags! They are a great replacement for corrugated because of their durability, economical price, and easy-to-use (and customizable) features. For more information on how FIBCs can benefit your business, contact us today!
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for visiting the National Bulk Bag blog! We hope you found this article helpful and informative.
Safety and reliability is our number one priority. Each bulk bag that we sell has a safe working load (SWL) – with the most common being 2,200lbs and 3,000lbs. To make sure the product you’re packing will not exceed the SWL of the bag you’re interested in, you’ll need to know the bulk density of the product you’re packing as well as the cubic foot capacity of the bulk bag.
Click the link below to download our Product Weight Guide and FIBC Volume Calculator to help you determine how much weight a specific bag will hold.
