National Bulk Bag Blog

Updated 4-19-2022

It is important to follow safe use guidelines when transporting and storing products with flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs). These include guidelines from manufacturers, suppliers, and the Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container Association (FIBCA).

Updated 4-5-2022

When using woven polypropylene bulk bags, it is important to use them per the instructions provided by both your supplier and the manufacturer. It is also important that you do not fill bags over their safe working load and/or reuse bags that aren’t designed for more than one use/trip. Most bags are manufactured for a single use bag but some are specifically designed for multiple uses.

Organizations looking to reduce storage and transportation costs will likely be excited about the recently growing market for used FIBCs. It has become increasingly popular for companies to sell their bags after their first use, and for other organizations to purchase those bags for their own purposes. The sale of used FIBCs helps the seller recoup some of the original purchase cost, while organizations that purchase used likely save a few dollars.

At National Bulk Bag, we are constantly striving to help our current and future customers stay safe while using FIBCs in their workplaces and/or production facilities. Part of this effort is a continuing dedication to releasing educational materials (be sure to check out our Official Safety Guide) and promoting other materials from our partners.

Transporting and/or storing large amounts of materials in large flexible bags (like FIBCs) can be inherently dangerous. Because of this, we talk a lot about safety. It cannot be understated how important the safe use of bulk bags is to us at National Bulk Bag. Safe working load (SWL) is one of the most important things any user should know about the bag they’ve purchased. But how do you find out the SWL of the bag you’re using? How do you know when you’re exceeding your SWL? In this post, we take a deeper dive into safe working load and examine the various ways to weigh FIBCs and ensure[...]

At National Bulk Bag we take safety very seriously. It is a part of everything we do within our own facilities and we know how much safety means to our customers. Part of our on-going commitment to safety is a dedication to keeping up on the latest and greatest trends in the industry and subsequently discussing these trends on our blog.

In certain situations, FIBCs can contain dangerous amounts of electrical charge through the accumulation of static electricity. This is caused by friction either in the handling of the bag or the filling/discharge of materials. This accumulation can be extremely hazardous to those handling the bulk bag and others in the vicinity.

When handling FIBCs, it is imperative to follow safe use guidelines set forth by the manufacturer, your supplier, as well as the Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container Association also known as FIBCA.

When storing empty and full FIBCs, it is imperative to follow safe use guidelines set forth by the manufacturer, your supplier, as well as the Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container Association also known as FIBCA.

FIBC (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container) bulk bags are a fantastic solution for transporting and storing large amounts of flow-able materials. Although Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers can carry a high volume of material, each bag has a recommended safe working load (SWL) with the most common being 2,200lbs-3,000lbs. When determining what bag is right for your application, it is important to know the weight, or bulk density, of your product/material so that you don’t exceed the SWL of the bag that you are interested in.

When bulk bags are filled and discharged, the flowing of the finely powdered substances can at times cause a buildup of static electricity. Properly mitigating the dangers associated with the buildup of static electricity can at times be the difference between life and death, especially when storing and transporting flammable and combustible materials.