What is Halogenation? What does it have to do with FIBCs?

In a recent article, we introduced one of the newest innovations emerging within the FIBC industry – flame-retardant bulk bags. These bags offer a number of benefits, including their high heat tolerance, flame resistance and compliance with government regulations. While these are valuable benefits, flame-retardant bags also offer a unique option – halogenation.

Let’s explore the halogenation and its crucial role in the bulk bag industry. To learn more about the features and benefits of flame-retardant bulk bags, read our recent article “What are Flame Retardant Bulk Bags??” by clicking here.

Chemical Additives in Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers

As we discussed in our article “FIBC Bulk Bag Construction: All About Woven Polypropylene Bags,” FIBCs are uniquely constructed of woven polypropylene strands that are created using a resin compound. This process allows for chemicals to be added during the manufacturing process called additives.

These additives can be a variety of different chemicals that allow the finished FIBCs to have certain properties. For example, certain additives can help the bag be more resistant to UV damage from the sun while others like PVGuard can help them repel insects during storage and/or transportation. No matter what your product and/or application, the bulk bag industry is consistently innovating and experimenting with other additives to achieve better results for end users. One of the more recent additives to hit the market is the flame-retardant additive.

Flame-Retardant Bulk Bags

Flame retardant bulk bags are specifically designed and manufactured not to burn allowing the contents to stay safe from fire and thus prevent the spread of fire in certain scenarios. There are various applications and industries where flame-retardant materials are not only desirable but also required by law. These bags are perfect for those scenarios.

These bags come in two main types: halogenated and non-halogenated. But what is halogenation? How does it impact the flame-retardant properties of the bags?

Halogenation and Its Impact on Flame-Retardant FIBCs

Halogenation is a chemical reaction that involves the addition of one or more halogens to a compound or a material. Halogens are a group in the periodic table of elements consisting of 5 elements: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine.

During the manufacturing process of halogenated FIBCs, halogens are added to the resin creating a halogenated flame-retardant bulk bag. Halogenated bags have additional flame-retardant properties and are often more effective in preventing the spread of flames as they actively interfere with the spread or creation of fire. Rather than simply resisting heat, these halogens act in the “vapor phase” of flames and interfere with the physical chemistry of the fire source itself, retarding the process and limiting the development and spread of the fire.

It is important to note that while halogenated bulk bags are ideal for many applications, they are not without drawbacks. When halogenated materials burn, they may release toxic materials that can be harmful or even fatal to bystanders.

For this reason, flame-retardant bulk bags are available in both halogenated and non-halogenated versions, with both products offering unique benefits in a wide range of applications.

Speak With Your Distributor to Ensure Optimal Protection

Purchasing flame-retardant bulk bags can be simple. Purchasing the optimal flame-retardant bag for your unique application is a little more difficult, especially with ever-growing number of products available on the market. Discuss your flame-retardant bag options with your distributor to determine whether a halogenated or non-halogenated product is the best fit.

At National Bulk Bag, we are committed to providing you with the detailed information you need to make informed purchasing decisions. Our relationships with multiple vendors allow us to help you compare products and select the best fit for your application, geographic location, regulatory compliance needs and budget.