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4 Critical Things to Keep in Mind While Choosing Bulk Bags or FIBC Bags

There is a significant time and cost involved in handling and storing bulk material in PP woven sacks. FIBC (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers) Bags are the most economical means of storing any solid dry bulk material. They are made from polypropylene, an inert thermoplastic which makes these bags durable, flexible and strong. What’s more, this material can be recycled into other plastic products, so you don’t have to worry about environmental sustainability.

Royal Touch Fablon, and Government of India Recognized Export House and advises you to consider the below points before choosing a Bulk Bag:

1. Bulk Density

The Material Bulk Density and total weight of material you want to pack in a bag helps decide the bag size and volume. Packing 500 kg of Cotton will require a bigger bag as compared to 500 kg of sand.

2. Customized Bags Available

FIBC Bags are 100% customizable and can be designed to meet your Packaging requirements for Loading, Unloading, Storage and Transportation.

3. Maintain Correct Handling Procedure

While filling, discharging or storing a bulk bag you need to make sure you handle them the way they are supposed to be handled. E.g. ift the bag uniformly using all the loops; if it’s a two-loop FIBC bag, you must lift it with both the loops, to ensure safety.

4. Choose Bags Suited for the Specific Purpose

There are 4 main types of bulk bags, and your choice depends on the kind of product and materials you wish to carry in these bags. If you want to store and carry material like gravel and sand, standard bulk bags are the right choice. On the other hand, if you want to store and carry food items like potatoes, ventilated bags are a good idea.

Please keep these points in mind before choosing the right Bulk Bag for your Packaging requirement. For more details please visit Royaltouchfablon.

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Choose FIBC Bags from Only the Most Reputed FIBC Bags Manufacturer

Bulk bags or FIBC bags are industrial containers made from polypropylene fabric and are typically used to store and transport all kinds of solid dry bulk materials including sand, gravel, food items, hazardous materials and more. These are an intergral part of the logistics process of multiple organizations which need to transport any solid dry product in bulk quantities.

Royaltouch Fablon specialises in manufacturing of Food grade FIBC bags. These bags are able to store and carry food items like Cashew, Coffee, Rice etc. Manufactured under top class hygiene environment these bags will help you safely transport your Food Product in contamination free bags to the end destination. The industrial campus of Royaltouch Fablon is strategically located and is equipped with the latest technology to ensure that all our FIBC bags meet the highest standards of quality. Royaltouch Fablon also possess the mandatory certifications for manufacturing of Food grade FIBCs.

As a business, you will have a unique storage and transport requirement as compared to other businesses or even your competitors. You therefore need to be able to choose FIBC food grade bags that suit your requirements best. Here’s a list of the various kind of bulk bags you can choose from:

FIBC BAGS Q BAGS / BAFFLE BAGS UN CERTIFIED BAGS VENTILATED BAGS CONDUCTIVE BAGS CONTAINER LINER BAGS Each bags has a specific set of qualities that can suit certain specific requirements. By choosing bags from a food grade FIBC bag manufacturer like Royaltouch Fablon, you can pick a bag type that perfectly satisfies your material storage and transport requirements.

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Know more about Ordering FIBCs

We at Royaltouch Bag take a lot of pride in our ability to be a spot-need filler of FIBCs. However, as the industry has transformed, so have we – and part of that process has been becoming more of a solutions provider in the industry as opposed to just a spot-need filler. Dealing with businesses looking for larger and more complex solutions has also drastically changed the product offerings we deliver to our customers as a distributor.

Specifically, the need for FIBCs with custom aesthetics has become more common. Whether it’s a simple request for a bag with a custom color, or special prints and graphics on the bag, these are increasingly important to many users of bulk bags. Let’s examine some of the custom aesthetic options available from quality distributors.

Custom Colors One such request we’ve seen a lot recently is bags with custom colors. Often times in facilities that use FIBCs, colors are used throughout the facility to convey certain messages using this simple visual cue. These can be anything from safety messages, hazard warnings, etc. In the case of FIBCs, it’s often to convey the contents of the bag.

This naturally makes custom color bags a very good fit for these facilities. Having color coded bags can make a facility more efficient, improve safety through easy identification, and help prevent serious accidents by avoiding any confusion regarding the bag’s contents. No matter what color system your facility uses, a quality distributor can work with its suppliers to get you a custom specified color making these bags easier to slide right into your line without hassle.

Custom Printed Labels Easily identifying a bag and its contents in certain facilities can be paramount to safe operation. Beyond simple color coding, custom labels and custom prints on the bags are a fantastic option. Anything from custom printed color logos, warnings and/or hazard labels, stripes or other patterns (including color patterns) are all great options to differentiate bags in your facility.

These labels can be especially useful if you’re using multiple types of FIBCs in your facility and need to differentiate between them. They are also particularly useful if you’re using bulk bags with chemicals and/or hazardous materials. Safety should always be a top priority and being able to quickly identify the contents of a bag in any facility where dangerous materials are being handled is crucial.

Distributors and Sourcing We’ve talked about this before on this blog, but it bears repeating – not all distributors are created equal. But why talk about sourcing in a post about custom bulk bag aesthetics? The reason to mention sourcing is because not all distributors have the capabilities to provide these types of custom bags – and that’s important to note.

Sourcing custom bags with custom aesthetic options requires several things from a distributor. First, it requires relationships with overseas suppliers that have the capability to manufacture custom bags. This is something that not all US distributors have access to.

Second, it requires close relationships to ensure good communication throughout the process – something that is essential to maintaining quality and accuracy during the custom bag manufacturing process.

Lastly, it requires a good overseas supply chain to shorten lead times as much as possible. There is no way around it, custom bags have long lead times. Most of the time, this can be mitigated by temporarily using an in-stock bag from your distributor until the custom bags arrive. However, in the case of custom aesthetics, a suitable in-stock replacement often doesn’t exist. This makes long lead times more of an issue which brings us back to something we talk about quite a bit – make sure you’re working with a quality distributor.

Vet your distributor. Make sure they have good relationships with their overseas suppliers. You’ll have a more pleasant purchasing experience with significantly better lead times.

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WHAT’S YOUR TYPE? CHOOSING THE RIGHT FIBC

In our earlier blogs, we explained that FIBCs are made of 100% virgin polypropylene, a petroleum-based product, also known as a thermoplastic. Other materials are used as well, but choosing the right material for your FIBC might be easier than you think: Big Bags can be divided into four general categories based on their material: Type A, B, C or D.

Choosing the right type of FIBC depends on many factors, such as the environment of the production plant, where the bags are filled and discharged and the product you want to store. Static electricity also plays a part in choosing the right type. In this blog, we explain the different types to help you choose the perfect packaging.

Static electricity

One of the factors weighing into the choosing of FIBCs, is the control of static electricity. This occurs when electric charges are imbalanced within certain materials. During the filling or discharging of big bags, static electricity can build up. This has to be prevented while packing any kind of flammable or combustible products. Read on to find out which type of FIBC suits your needs!

TYPE A FIBC BAGS If you ask for a standard bag, the Type A bag is the one you will get. These are made from a mixture of polypropylene, calcium carbonate, and UV additive to protect them against erosion when they are stored outside. Type A bags are often used for transporting products that are not flammable in nature. They do not have static protection or other electrostatic safety features. Combustible gases or solvents should not be kept in close proximity of these bags.

TYPE B FIBC BAGS One step further we find the Type B bags. These are also made from standard propylene material but are enabled to prevent sparks. They can have a special anti-static coating: they have a low breakdown voltage (generally below 6kV) which is quite effective in preventing explosive dust-air mixtures from igniting. Nevertheless, these bags can’t dissipate static electricity and can therefore not be labeled as fantistatic. They are perfect for the safe transportation of dry and flammable powders but should be kept on a safe distance from flammable gases or solvents. But, even in these bags, customization is possible. Type B bags can also be produced without coating, or with an anti-static liner and regular outer bag.

TYPE C FIBC BAGS Type C bags are best suited for flammable powders: They are also known as Conductive Jumbo FIBCs, which are produced from fabric which is non-conductive in nature but have conductive threads which are interwoven. They are most often used by chemical companies because they are able to safely transport highly flammable material — if handled right. During the process of either filling or emptying the bags, they must be kept electrically grounded. When doing so, they are also safe to use in the presence of flammable gasses or solvents.

TYPE D FIBC BAGS Type D bags are also referred to as antistatic bulk bags or Dissipative FIBC bags. They are similar to the Type C bags but don't require grounding. The fabric used in Type D bags is completely static dissipator: it automatically dissipates the static charge, rather than gathering it up and causing a spark. They are the go-to choice for combustible substances. Type D bags are also safe to use with flammable solvents or gasses around the bag, but should no be used when the surface has water or grease on it.

LOOKING FOR A PARTNER FOR PACKAGING? Unsure about which bag is right for your product and process? Our team of experts works towards a perfect packaging solution, completely adapted to your needs. Get in touch to learn more about our approach!

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Understanding The Different Types Of FIBC Liners

The use of FIBC bags have become very common in the recent times owing to their immense functionality as well as usefulness. FIBC liners are those that are attached to the FIBC bags for enhanced protection. Now, at this point of time, it becomes quite important to have a clear idea about the different types of liners for the FIBC bags. The different types of liners for the FIBC bags are as listed below.

Gusseted Liners

These are the most common types of liners used for the FIBC bags which are also referred to as lay flat liners. These liners are cylindrical in shape that is open at the top and have a heat sealed bottom that is cut at the time of discharge. The gusseted liners can be pre inserted into the FIBC bags or can also be purchased in rolls for inserting later.

Tubular Liners

As can be understood from the name, these liners for FIBC bags are tubular in shape and are usually pre inserted at the time when they are still in the manufacturing unit. The opening is at the bottom of these liners which is the distinctive structural attribute of the tubular liners. In case of the tubular liners there is no bottom seal that is required to be cut but the liner’s end is fed with the help of discharge spout and tied at the time of manufacturing thereby preventing the need of feeding as well as cutting of the liner at the time of discharge.

Form Fit Liners

These liners are particularly manufactured and designed for taking the exact form of the bag where they are placed which includes both the top as well as the bottom construction. The form fit shape of the liners permits them to provide a superior performance at the time of filling and discharging since the liners do not form any kind of folds, pleats or other traps that slows down the filling or discharging.

Baffle Liners

These types of liners are manufactured with built in baffles. The actual liner is where the baffle is built into instead of the FIBC bag itself. These liners are also form fit to the FIBC bags and are pre inserted into them, hence cannot be sold individually. The baffle liners help in maintaining a square shape of the bag thereby playing a vital role in counteracting the outer push of the product.

Types of Materials Used

The different types of materials most commonly used for the manufacturing the liners for FIBC bags are as follows.

Polyethylene

Aluminium

Polypropylene

Now, at the time of looking for the liners for the FIBC bags, it is to be made sure that a trusted and reputed FIBC liner manufacturer is chosen so as to get the best product without any compromise in quality.

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Quality Control and FIBCs – Batch Numbers, Testing, & Tracking

If you’ve been following the Royaltouch Fablon Bulk Bag blog, you’ll know that providing readers with quality information about FIBCs is a top priority. The hope is that if our readers are armed with the best information, they can make the best purchasing decision and ensure they get a quality bag from a quality distributor. A big part of that process is quality control and quality assurance (QA).

It’s important to ask your distributor about their processes and methods regarding QA. Remember, most FIBCs are produced in overseas manufacturing facilities, and if your distributor isn’t doing their due diligence regarding their suppliers QA processes, then how can you be sure you’re getting a quality product? Here are some of the QA practices quality distributors look for in manufacturers.

Batch Numbers In the bulk bag industry, every solid QA program starts with batch numbers. Batch numbers (also referred to as “lot numbers”) are designations that are printed on the product and/or product batch that allows the history of the product to be traced back to the manufacturer (and often the manufactured date, etc.).

Batch numbers are a crucial and critical part of any good QA program as they provide a sure-fire way to track an individual batch of product. If a distributor receives a bad batch of bags from a manufacturer or receives a report from a client of a faulty bag, they can quickly trace that bag back to the correct manufacturer and begin to rectify the issue. On top of that, if any other bags from the same batch were sold, they can be recalled or discarded immediately. Faulty bags are a big safety risk and should NOT be used under any circumstances.

Batch Testing Batch testing is a process carried out by the manufacturer where individual bags are pulled out of each batch and rigorously tested for quality, durability, and overall performance. This is a key measure in the QA process as it aims to prevent faulty bags from shipping. By testing individual bags as they come off the line, manufacturers can often spot defects and/or other issues with bags before they are shipped overseas to distributors. This significantly reduces the chances of shipping faulty products and enhances the safety of FIBC use.

What To Do When You Have An Issue with a Bulk Bag If you or anyone at your company/facility discover any issues with the bulk bags you’re using, the first thing to do is STOP using the bag immediately. Faulty bags can present a significant safety risk to users. Immediately contact your distributor to report the defective bag. The bag’s batch number will allow your distributor to properly investigate the issue and track any other bags from the batch. This will also allow your distributor to replace any defective bags with new bags from a different batch (in order to prevent future issues).

It’s important your distributor has good relationships with their manufacturers and have properly vetted them and their QA processes. If your distributor isn’t holding your manufacturer accountable, then they can’t be sure they’re selling you a quality product. That is not only unacceptable but puts anyone using FIBCs in your facility needlessly at risk due to faulty products.

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How to Weigh Bulk Bags and Stay Within the Rated Safe Working Load

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 Royaltouch Fablon. 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 you’re not exceeding the limits of the bag.

All About Safe Working Load The safe working load of a bag is the safe rated amount of weight (expressed in pounds in the United States) that a bulk bag can effectively hold without failing. Bag failure is extremely dangerous and can lead to injury and/or death.  It is imperative to know your bag’s SWL and not exceed that weight during use.

There are a few tools we’d recommend you keep handy when figuring out the right bag with the right SWL for your product and application.  It will help you identify the density of your product and how that will impact what FIBC is safe for use.

By far the easiest way to find out your bag’s SWL is to contact your supplier or simply ask during the purchasing process. Many suppliers will also list this information on their website and include it in any stock list they make available. This can also serve as an easy litmus test for your supplier. Are they talking to you about the rated SWL during the purchase process? If not, this could be a red flag. If safety isn’t as important to your supplier as it is to you - are they the right fit?

The safe working load of your bag can have a massive impact on bulk bag safety.

Weighing Industrial Bulk Bags So you’ve made the decision to follow safe practices and use a bag rated for your product, but where do you start? How do you go about weighing a filled bag?

Thankfully you have a lot of options when it comes to weighing your filled bags. The best place to start is in your facility with the equipment you already own. Are you currently using pallet wrappers? If so, you’re in luck. Most all pallet wrappers have scales built into their bases allowing easy weighing. Are you using specialized equipment to fill your bulk bags? Most filling equipment has the ability to either weight the product as it is entering the bag or after the bag has been filled. You may already have the equipment to weigh your FIBCs in your facility and not even know it. Using existing equipment is by far the most cost-effective way to make sure you’re under the rated SWL of your bag.

However, if you don’t have any equipment in your facility that is capable of weighing large things like bulk bags there are still quality options available. Industrial scales designed for pallets can weigh anything from 5,000 to sometimes over 10,000 pounds are often available for less than $3,000.

If you need help finding an industrial weighing solution for your facility, we’re here to help. Our packaging affiliate Rapid Packaging has a team of experts on standby ready to find you the right solution for your product and application.

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How to Weigh Bulk Bags and Stay Within the Rated Safe Working Load

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 Royaltouchfablon. 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 you’re not exceeding the limits of the bag.

All About Safe Working Load The safe working load of a bag is the safe rated amount of weight (expressed in pounds in the United States) that a bulk bag can effectively hold without failing. Bag failure is extremely dangerous and can lead to injury and/or death.  It is imperative to know your bag’s SWL and not exceed that weight during use.

There are a few tools we’d recommend you keep handy when figuring out the right bag with the right SWL for your product and application. Check out our Product Weight Guide and Volume Calculator by clicking here. It will help you identify the density of your product and how that will impact what FIBC is safe for use.

By far the easiest way to find out your bag’s SWL is to contact your supplier or simply ask during the purchasing process. Many suppliers will also list this information on their website and include it in any stock list they make available (see the example below). This can also serve as an easy litmus test for your supplier. Are they talking to you about the rated SWL during the purchase process? If not, this could be a red flag. If safety isn’t as important to your supplier as it is to you - are they the right fit?

The safe working load of your bag can have a massive impact on bulk bag safety. You can learn more about SWL and finding the right FIBC for your product and application by clicking here.

Weighing Industrial Bulk Bags So you’ve made the decision to follow safe practices and use a bag rated for your product, but where do you start? How do you go about weighing a filled bag?

Thankfully you have a lot of options when it comes to weighing your filled bags. The best place to start is in your facility with the equipment you already own. Are you currently using pallet wrappers? If so, you’re in luck. Most all pallet wrappers have scales built into their bases allowing easy weighing. Are you using specialized equipment to fill your bulk bags? Most filling equipment has the ability to either weight the product as it is entering the bag or after the bag has been filled. You may already have the equipment to weigh your FIBCs in your facility and not even know it. Using existing equipment is by far the most cost-effective way to make sure you’re under the rated SWL of your bag.

However, if you don’t have any equipment in your facility that is capable of weighing large things like bulk bags there are still quality options available. Industrial scales designed for pallets can weigh anything from 5,000 to sometimes over 10,000 pounds are often available for less than $3,000.

If you need help finding an industrial weighing solution for your facility, we’re here to help. Our packaging affiliate Rapid Packaging has a team of experts on standby ready to find you the right solution for your product and application.

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Precautions While Filling And Emptying A FIBC Bags

FIBC bags are extremely useful for a number of industrial uses and are highly preferred by the users. There are a number of FIBC bag manufacturers in India but it is always recommended to choose at and a reputed manufacturer for getting the premium quality bags. But at this point of time, it is quite important to take some of the most important precautionary measures at the time of filling and emptying a FIBC bags which are as enumerated below.

At the time of using a FIBC bag, it is extremely important to use all of the loops provided. The loops are an essential part of the construction of the bags which are particularly designed for being used in tandem with all the other for the purpose of lifting the full rated weight of a bag which is loaded.

The next thing to keep in mind is not to gather all the loops for being lifted with a single hook instead it is specified to do so. The suing of the loops in other ways which is not mentioned can be dangerous. The loops should be kept vertical because they are designed in that way only. Lifting the bags, horizontally, laterally or side to side can cause damage to the bags thereby making it unstable which might be dangerous for the standing around the bag being lifted.

When the FIBC bags are suspended, the surroundings should be necessarily kept clear making sure that no one standing close or under the suspended bag. Severe injury or even death can occur if the suspended bag is dislodged from the suspending device. Hence extreme care should be taken in this regard. It is extremely important to keep a close watch on the safe working load or the rated capacity of the FIBC bag being used. It should be made sure that the FIBC bags never exceeds it capacity at the time of using it otherwise can lead to severe accidents.

Care should be taken to make sure that FIBC bags are evenly filled and are kept completely stable. Refraining form doing so might cause the bag to topple at the time of filling or emptying it which might be dangerous. Ultimately, it is very important to appropriately close the FIBC bag as instructed which is basically the key to the safe performance of the bag. Also, proper closing ensures the prevention of leakage at the time of storage and transportation thereby eliminating the chances of hazardous or dangerous events.

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TIPS TO OPTIMIZE BULK BAG DISCHARGE

Manufacturers are fast realizing the benefits and convenience of bulk bags today and have largely shifted their focus to using them for bulk material transport. Previously, where bulk bags were only used to transport cement or sand; today, they are used in many industries that require transporting sophisticated dry raw materials. These industries include pharmaceutical, chemical, and food among others.

Royaltouchfablon Bulk Bag Unloader

However, with the use of all kinds of materials that suppliers have to transport comes the responsibility for optimal discharge. Even with discharge equipment at hand, it can be frustrating to achieve smooth material flow and dust free operations. So here are some tips to help you optimize bulk bag discharging:

TIP #1-ENSURE CORRECT ERGONOMICS AND SAFETY For proper discharge, it's important that correct safety measures and ergonomics are in place as well. For example, the bag outlet sprout shouldn't be difficult to reach to untie. No operator should have to reach under a suspended bulk bag for any reason or feel the need to reach out between moving parts of the discharging equipment. Everything should be in order and at perfect angles.

TIP #2-USE CUSTOMIZED BULK BAG DISCHARGING EQUIPMENT Where there is a need, use customized discharging equipment or at least the right type of equipment for the right product to optimize the discharge process. Otherwise, you will experience inaccurate weighing, inconsistent transfer of material and thus low productivity and profitability, not to mention the product loss.

TIP #3-CHANGE EQUIPMENT WHEN NECESSARY As soon as you see signs of the first trouble that the discharging equipment is not working properly, it's time to change, replace, or get it fixed. However, some signs that replacement alone is not going to solve the problem are that the equipment needs frequent maintenance, poor flow, or yield from the equipment and the increased frequency of failed working parts.

TIPS #4- BUY THE BEST LINERS Sometimes, discharging problems occur because of the use of the wrong type of liners for the product. The product may be caught up in the folds of the liners or it may be coming off with the it. Some manufacturers and suppliers may find it difficult to dispose liners in a dust free manner. All this causes inefficiency in the discharging process. Make sure you buy the right fit and type of liners for your bulk bags and the material for which it will be used.

Additionally, some other signs that you should alarm you about the discharging process include the use of manual shaking to the bags to discharge the complete product or a large bulk of it failing to discharge on its own through the discharge equipment and process.

As a supplier, you can eliminate discharging problems by spotting them at first instance and using the right bulk bags, liners and discharging equipments for your products. For more assistance or information regarding this information please feel free to contact us at any time at (+91) 033-66079347 / 9348 and we can help guide you to make the right choice.

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What are Breathable Bulk Bags?

A lot of time is spent at Royaltouchfablon answering questions from buyers. We get a ton of questions ranging anywhere from FIBC construction to specific questions about the many different applications of bulk bags. However, the specific question of “what are breathable bulk bags?” is of particular interest because it has many facets. It’s not as simple to say, “this bag is breathable and this one is not”. There are lots of things to consider that we will examine in this post.

Woven Polypropylene and What it Means for Breathable FIBCs FIBCs or flexible intermediate bulk containers are created by weaving strands of polypropylene together to form a sturdy mesh while maintaining the flexibility that give bulk bags their name, strength and usefulness. To learn more about this, check out this blog we wrote a while back explaining in greater detail just what woven polypropylene is.

Because of this weave, by default, bulk bags are not water or air tight. This means that the bags breathe naturally to a certain extent. How much they breath depends on a variety of factors that involve the construction of an individual bag.

Coated vs Uncoated FIBCs Coated bulk bags are FIBCs with a laminate coating applied in the factory. Before the bag is sewn together, an additional polypropylene film is added to the bag’s fabric sealing the smaller gaps in the weaves. For more information about coated vs uncoated bags, check out this blog detailing the differences, uses, and applications.

The reason the coated vs uncoated discussion is relevant to breathable bulk bags is that the coating when applied actually finds its way into the small gaps in the weaves, creating greater cohesion between them. Coating doesn’t make the bag 100% air and water tight, however it does make them significantly less breathable. If you’re looking for a more breathable bag, avoid bags with coating.

Royaltouchfablon Bulk Bag, breathable bulk bags If you need that next level of breathability, look no further than royaltouchfablon bulk bags. Royaltouchfablon bags have strips that run vertically along each side. These strips have small strands of polypropylene that are not woven, allowing much more air to pass between the fabric. These are by far the most breathable FIBCs manufactured and should be the preferred option if you can find a Royaltouchfablon bag that meets your specs for your application.

Applications There really isn’t any single application that stands out as perfect for bags that are more breathable, however, we tend to see a lot of use in the produce industry where moisture can cause the product to mold. Any application where moisture can be a detriment, breathable bags are a great solution as the increased airflow will prevent the retention of moisture that causes mold.

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4 Reasons Why You Need a Bulk Bag Consultant

Sure, any business is capable of acquiring its own bulk bags for production and shipping. However, if you don’t have the time or experience working with suppliers in foreign countries or want to make sure you are getting the best product for your needs, help is available in the form of bulk bag consultants.

We understand why companies choose to work with overseas bulk bag suppliers. This is typically the most cost-effective solution for most companies. With that being said, there are some unique challenges associated with importing bulk bags from a foreign country. The good news is that there’s a solution for each one of those challenges and bulk bag consultants can help you every step of the way.

Why You Should Work With a Bulk Bag Consultant

Time limitations

The majority of bulk bags are made in either China or India. That can be a 12-hour time difference depending on where your production facility is in the world. This time gap can be a big hassle for businesses trying to lessen the communication barrier or get orders quickly. Bulk bag consultants can dedicate time to communicating and scheduling with overseas bulk bag manufacturers during the right business hours to make sure there aren’t long lags in communication.

Language barriers

A language barrier is difficult in all facets of life and in business, it creates a unique set of challenges. If you are not able to communicate with your supplier, you may not get your bags in a timely manner, or even get the right product at all. Any bulk bag consultant you work with should be able to effectively communicate with you and your manufacturer, regardless of where in the world the bags are made. Having a bulk bag consultant is like having a multilingual, bulk bag expert on your side.

Quality control

Quality control is a topic we hear often when people ask about foreign manufacturing. All purchasing managers want to make sure they get the right product, pay the right price and get it on time. Bulk bag consultants confirm your bags are the right size, strength and specifications compared to what you ordered. They also ensure your bulk bags are contamination free when shipped. Learn more about why quality control is so important in FIBC manufacturing here.

You’re looking to make a change

Let’s say you have no issue with the time differences or any language barrier. You should still work with a bulk bag consultant if you’ve never imported anything or if you’re interested in a new business relationship. A consultant can help you find a manufacturer that best fits your needs.

Bulk bag consultants specialize in finding suppliers that are reliable. If your bulk bags aren’t what you ordered or take too long to arrive, your production is negatively impacted. Lead times on bulk bags are typically three to four months long. Any hiccups along the way delay your delivery to at least a half of a year.

At Royaltouch fablon, we want to get ahead of challenges before they turn into problems. We have our own employees in every country we work in. They are local, bilingual and in constant communication with their state-side coworkers. It’s the best way we know how to make sure your delivery gets to you on time and as expected. If you have any questions about our process, let us know!

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Beating the bulk bag winter blues

Well, it’s that time of year again…Time for the annual “bulk bag dip” we see in our industry at the beginning of every winter season. For whatever reason, the months of November, December, and January see a big decline in people shopping for bulk bags. I wasn’t sure if it was just a feeling I got around this time every year, or if there is some historical context. After all, I did sell bags all over world for many years, millions of dollars’ worth annually in fact. So am I just being melodramatic, or is there proof of this annual dip?

Firstly, you will notice the general trend for the keywords “bulk bag” have been on a pretty steady uptick for the past 12 years or so. And why not? Bulk bags are awesome, just plain awesome in my humble opinion. I have been writing for years to inform, educate, and entertain our fans about all things bulk bag. Lately I’ve been informing our competitors as they seem to really like my blogs. Ahem, liking them a little too much if you catch my drift… But hey imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? 

Secondly and most importantly, you can see annual dips clear as day along the entire timeline! When I have over those points on the chart, guess what month pops up? If you said December, ding-ding-ding, you’re spot-on! Every single low point in the chart above corresponds to the month of December without fail. It looks like my Winter Bulk Bag Blues are legit and not some psycho-somatic delusion that I dreamt up in an effort to write another blog.

Now, I get it, to some degree. It’s the end of the calendar year, traveling is taking precedent for millions, and people are longing for family time away from the office. Shopping becomes the mantra of the masses and spending a day at the mall is enough to make anybody forget their own name let alone bulk bags. Then there’s the big holiday towards the end of December and then there’s the big party right after that. Preceding both those main events are smaller office parties held all through the month as well. Dinners, drinks, dancing, and decadence are on the menu for everybody in what is literally our darkest month. With so much going on, I guess I can understand why people are not shopping for bulk bags.

However, I am going to layout some points to help my colleagues and I get over the all-too-real Winter Bulk Bag Blues: We’re International: Our reach as a supply company only knows the boundary of outer space. If you are anywhere on this planet, we can ship the best bulk bags in the biz right to your door at any time. Or to the temporary air strip. Or by barge to your dock on the river. Or by truck on the winter ice road. Heck, when it comes to needing bulk bags in space, we would be happy to get them out there too if tasked! We Love to Travel: At Royaltouch, we are travel veterans. I myself have logged thousands of hours in planes, trains, and automobiles over the years. After all, that’s what makes a Royaltouch Expert an Expert: Experience. From management’s annual factory check-up trips to our local guy heading down to Lethbridge for the day, if we can’t see your operation first hand, we can’t offer you the best bulk packaging solutions. If you are slowing down too, what better time is there to sit down and have a really great conversation without the usual distractions?

Time is on Your Side: Does your operation slow down around the holiday season as well? Trim back the staff and hours a little to accommodate vacation plans? Well then that is the perfect time to test out a new Royaltouch designed solution! No distractions, no big orders to fill, and no pressure to rush the testing. You can take advantage of the expertise and knowledge of your Royaltouch representative while they are on-site. We understand testing can be stressful for your operations team, so why not schedule testing when things are not so hectic? So it looks like my Winter Bulk Bag Blues are definitely real. Won’t you please do your part to help break our industry out of this annual funk? Together, we can finally Beat the Winter Bulk Bag Blues!

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How FIBC Can Impact Your Supply Chain Management Costs?

Keeping your supply chain as cost effective as possible is the key to reducing your operational costs. However, did you know the cost of FIBC bags that you use for transporting and storing dry, flowable materials can have an effect on your supply chain management costs?

Here are some factors that FIBC bulk bags also known as bulk bags or jumbo bags can have on the cost of your supply chain.

Cost of FIBC Bags

FIBC bulk bags are made using 100% virgin polypropylene (PP) which is a petroleum-based plastic polymer. Hence, the cost of these bags is directly linked to oil prices. FIBC manufacturers are constantly monitoring the oil markets, particularly the Middle East, and if there are problems in these oil-producing nations, production shortage or major pipeline problems, the manufacturers will immediately increase the prices. Therefore, it makes sense to purchase and keep a stock of FIBC bags when you get a good price.

Manufacturing Issues

Most FIBC manufacturers are located in developing nations, such as India and Vietnam. These bags are handmade and hence, there is a higher chance of quality issues and manufacturing errors. Furthermore, the cost of starting a manufacturing unit in these nations is much lower than developed nations. So, the other risk is FIBC manufacturers with no knowledge and experience entering into the fray. This is the reason you need an experienced FIBC bulk bag manufacturer and supplier who can assure you of quality and timely deliveries.

Design Problems

When communicating your specifications and needs to the manufacturer, there can be problems. The different time zones, varied measurement units and language barrier can result in expensive design errors that can affect your entire supply chain, thereby proving to be very expensive error.

Risk of Bait and Switch

FIBC bag industry is extremely competitive and it has been observed that unscrupulous FIBC manufacturers often offer clients competitive pricing and superior quality samples to get the order. However, when you actually receive the order, you realize that design, quality or manufacturing is faulty and of low quality. Some of the issues that can arise are using a lower weight fabric and reducing the amount of additive for UV protection. You will not know of the problem until you start using the FIBC bags.

Poor Supplier Logistics

As FIBC bulk bags are manufactured overseas, logistics can be a nightmare. With delayed shipment, you could end up when no bags and this has an adverse effect on your deliveries. Making sure you have adequate inventory is a necessity so that your supply chain is smooth and unaffected even if the FIBC manufacturer’s delivery schedule goes awry.

These are some of the factors related to FIBC bags that can have a profound effect on your supply chain management. Keep these in mind and deal just with reliable and trustworthy FIBC manufacturers such as Royal Touch Fablon Pvt. Ltd. to keep your supply chain management costs within budget.

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Using FIBC Bulk Bags with High Temperature Products

At Royaltouch Fablon, we get a lot of questions regarding the various products and applications in which FIBCs can be used. As bulk bags are used with increasing frequency in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries, the demand for bags that can withstand high temperature exposure will also increase.

However, there is a lot of misinformation in the industry regarding high temp FIBCs. How hot can the product be before the bag fails? Does a liner allow use with a higher temp product? It’s important to know the proper guidelines in order to safely use flexible intermediate bulk containers in high temperature applications.

High Temperature FIBC Guidelines Bulk bags are made out of polypropylene strands woven together to make the material flexible and strong .  Technically speaking, heat exposure of more than 70°F will cause the polypropylene to shift on a molecular level and loosen the fabric. However, at these temperatures the stretching is minimal and thus the risk. The hotter the material, the more loosening and stretching can occur.

For a standard bag, it’s recommended to not put any product in that is over 200°F. If materials over 200°F are put into a flexible intermediate bulk container, the bag should be thoroughly tested after use to check for instability or damage. It’s important to keep in mind that the hotter the material, the greater chances for wear, stretching, and potential damage.

Using Liners with High Temp Products Standard liners are made out of polyethylene. A flexible and relatively lightweight plastic that is great for protecting food grade and pharmaceutical products from contamination.

There are some draw backs when it comes to using a standard liner for high temp products. Typically, a standard polyethylene liner will begin to melt at about 260°F. Similar to the woven polypropylene material the bag itself is made from, it will begin to soften and shift between 195°F and 210°F. Because of this, it is not recommended to put materials over 170°F in a bulk bag with a standard polyethylene liner.

Very High Temperature Products & Bulk Bags As you approach the recommended temperature limit for a standard bag (200°F) you may find you have a need for a bag that can both withstand higher temperature exposure (greater than 200°F), and remain durable for re-use with high temp products. For these applications, Royaltouh fablon recommends a high temp polypropylene liner instead of a standard polyethylene liner. Polypropylene liners are able to withstand significantly higher temperatures. These liners have a maximum filling temp of 295°F, substantially higher than both a standard flexible intermediate bulk container without a liner (200°F) and a bag with a standard polyethylene liner (170°F).

Industry Uses and Applications for High Temperature FIBCs There is a variety of industries, products, and applications where high temp bags are required for safe and efficient transport of goods and materials. However, there is no doubt they are more common in specific industries. The food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries are a good fit for bags with high temp ratings. Often, food materials are hot when coming out of certain processes and need a bag that can hold up to intense heat. The same applies for chemicals used in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products.

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Advantages of Using Polyethylene Liners in FIBCs

FIBCs have become indispensable in logistics industry owing to the cost-efficiency and convenience they offer. As FIBCs are re-usable, they are used multiple times to ship and store non-hazardous chemicals and food substances. However, over time the quality may deteriorate and users may not get optimum benefits of the bulk bag. To avoid such situations and to enhance the efficiency of FIBCs, manufacturers now embed a layer of polyethylene liner in the FIBC. For pharma and food grade products bulk bag liners are best option.

The Need for Using Polyethylene Liners

The purpose of installing polyethylene liners for FIBC is to provide an extra layer of protection both to the bulk bag and to the products inside the bag. Except this many other benefits of fibc liner: Advantages of Using Bulk Bag Liners

Prevents leaks

Prevents dust and moisture from seeping into the bag

Prevents contamination as liners make bulk bags almost impenetrable

Prevents powdery substances from sifting through FIBCs. In FIBCs individual strands of polypropylene are woven together, and thus, powdery substances are likely to sift through the bag.

FIBC Liner Applications

FIBC liners have become essential in the following situations:

When transporting chemicals: Certain harsh chemicals can cause fast deterioration of FIBC bags which are otherwise designed to last multiple-usage. Use of liners, when storing or transporting chemicals, help to keep the product safe and keep the quality of the bulk bag intact.

When transporting sensitive products – Liners are considered crucial when shippers have to transport sensitive consumables such as food grade and pharma-grade products. Use of liners helps to keep the contents safe for the entire duration.

When transporting fine powders – Liners are a must when shipping fine powdery substances. Such substances are likely to sift out of the seams and the body of the FIBC especially while it is being loaded and maneuvered. There is, therefore, a risk of contamination and product loss. FIBC liners come useful in such situations. These securely keep the chemicals or powders inside during the entire process of transportation.

Choosing Polyethylene Liners for FIBCs

At Royaltouchfablon FIBC, we give you ample choice to select the most suitable liner. You can request a liner to be directly attached to the FIBC or can choose to have it inserted loosely. Depending on your requirement you can choose to have a form-fit FIBC liner, lay-flat FIBC liners, conductive liners or food-grade liner. We are always ready to meet your requirement.

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Why FIBC bags are useful in Landscaping

Transporting topsoil or other landscaping products can be a cumbersome process for landscaping companies. Many landscaping businesses simply have a dump truck drop the soil/mulch/etc. on the property owner’s front yard or in the driveway. Although some weekend gardeners may need large quantities of fresh topsoil (5-10 cubic yards or a full truckload) or other landscaping products, not all gardeners have the ability to utilize that much product on a given week/weekend. Plans may change, weather may change and before you know it your clients have a wet pile of mud or mulch on their driveway that they don’t know what to do with.

In the last few years, an alternative more client friendly option has emerged. Instead of transporting landscaping products by the truckload, many forward-thinking landscaping businesses have begun to transport these products via Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers also known as Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers or Bulk Bags. Main advantages of transporting landscape materials from fibc bags.

Advantage #1: Delivery Accuracy

Delivering landscaping products by the truckload is both inefficient and inflexible. People must get their landscaping project done in a short amount of time or the landscaping product that’s delivered can accumulate bugs or even worse, get wet and wash away. On top of the short amount of time people have to use the product, delivering the product can be a cumbersome process. Dump trucks are massive, are limited as to where they can dump the product, and they must have street access. No one wants a 15-ton truck chewing up their yard.

Cubic yard FIBC bulk bags can be filled with material and be offloaded almost anywhere. It is also easier to keep products separate. Does the customer need a cubic yard of mulch and a cubic yard of soil? No problem! Just fill up two different cubic yard bags with the individual products and deliver them to the site. No big mess necessary.

Advantage #2: Distribution Accuracy

Most landscaping clients don’t want just one product, they want multiple products such as topsoil, compost, mulch, decorative rock, etc. One of the biggest advances in landscaping dump truck technology was simply starting to put a wooden board in between two different materials to separate them. Enter FIBCs.

Flexible intermediate bulk containers also allow you to deliver up to 3-5 different types of materials (depending on quantity needed) keeping the materials separate as well as saving your business time and money in transportation costs.

Advantage #3: Storage of Landscaping Materials

One of the biggest disadvantages of having dump trucks full of landscaping product dumped in a driveway is that the product just sits there until it’s used or disposed of. The product can also dissipate or wash away over time. By delivering landscaping product as needed and store for later use.

Duffle top bags allow your clients to seal the container and maintain the quality and integrity of the landscaping product. FIBCs also help “weather-proof” the product as well as keep neighborhood pets and pests out of your landscaping material.