What is FIBC? Comprehensive Big Bag Guide

What is FIBC?

An FIBC (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container) is flexible packaging designed for the industrial-scale transport and storage of bulk materials.

It is commonly known as a big bag, jumbo bag, bulk bag or ton bag.

Made of woven polypropylene (PP) fabric, big bags carry loads between 500 kg and 2000 kg.

Being light, strong and economical, they have become the standard solution in bulk material logistics.

History of Big Bags

The first FIBCs were developed in the 1960s and came into commercial use in the 1970s.

Initially used for fertiliser transport in agriculture, they later spread to the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Types of Big Bags

1. Standard FIBC

The most widely used big bag type. It is handled by forklift or crane using four lifting loops. It is filled through a filling spout or an open top and emptied through a discharge spout or a flat bottom.

Applications: Flour, sugar, grain, plastic granules, mineral powders

2. Q-Bag (Baffled)

Thanks to its internal baffles it keeps its square shape when filled. It takes up 20-30% less storage space than standard big bags.

Advantages:

• Stable stacking (the permitted number of stacked bags is stated on the big bag’s label)
• Efficient use of warehouse space
• Efficient container loading

3. Conductive Big Bag (Type C)

Designed for safe use in explosive dust and gas atmospheres. Conductive threads carry the electrostatic charge to the grounding point.

Important: Type C big bags must always be grounded. Use without grounding creates an explosion risk.

Applications: Chemical powders, pharmaceutical ingredients, metal powders

4. UN Certified FIBC

UN approved big bags for the transport of dangerous goods. They have passed the UN 13H1-H4 tests.

UN Test Requirements:

• Drop test
• Stacking test
• Top lift test
• Tear test

5. Ventilated Big Bag

Made from fabric with ventilation strips over its whole surface, for products that need to breathe. It prevents products such as potatoes, onions, firewood and in-shell hazelnuts and walnuts from spoiling.

Big Bag Components

Body

Made of woven polypropylene fabric.

Fabric weight is usually between 140 and 240 g/m².

Lifting Loops

Loops at the four corners allow handling by forklift or crane.

They are dimensioned according to the safety factor.

Filling (Top)

The top can be open, fitted with a filling spout or made as a duffle top.

Discharge (Bottom)

The bottom can be flat, fitted with a discharge spout or made to open fully.

Liner

A liner is not a big bag type but a fitting that can be added to any type. It provides a moisture barrier and protects the product.

LDPE, HDPE, EVOH and aluminium barrier liners are available.

Big Bag Dimensions

The weight a big bag carries depends on the bulk density of the product: a bag of the same size holds more weight of a dense product and less of a light one.

Dimensions are therefore defined to order from the bulk density of the product and the target filling weight.

Safe Working Load (SWL)

The Safe Working Load (SWL) is the maximum load a big bag can carry safely.

Safety Factor

• SF 5:1 — Single-trip big bags
• SF 6:1 — Multi-trip big bags

ISO 21898 also defines an 8:1 class for heavy-duty reusable big bags.

Important: The safety factor is a test value; a big bag is never filled above its safe working load (SWL).

Big Bag Selection Criteria

1. Product Characteristics

• Bulk density (kg/m³)
• Moisture sensitivity
• Electrostatic risk
• Food-contact requirement

2. Storage Conditions

• Indoor or outdoor
• Stacking requirements
• UV exposure

3. Transport Requirements

• Dangerous goods class
• International regulations (ADR, IMDG)

4. Documentation Requirements

• Food contact: (EC) 1935/2004, (EU) 10/2011, FDA
• BRC (food packaging)
• UN (dangerous goods)
• Type C (explosive atmospheres)

FIBC Standards and Certifications

ISO 21898

International standard for the design, testing and marking of FIBCs for non-dangerous goods.

BRC Packaging

Quality and safety standard for manufacturers of food packaging, graded AA, A, B, C or D.

UN Certification

Mandatory certification for the transport of dangerous goods.

Why Karaca Big Bag?

Karaca Ambalaj has been manufacturing FIBCs since 1998:

• BRC IoP Grade AA+: The highest grade for food safety
• In Production Since 1998: Experience with 1000+ different configurations
• 1 Million Bags a Year: Capacity for high-volume orders
• Exports to 20+ Countries: 98% of production is exported

This guide has been prepared for industrial purchasing professionals. For requirements specific to your product, contact our technical team.