For businesses involved in the storing and moving of dry products, one of the best options is using flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs), a type of industrial packaging also known as bulk bags. Bulk bags have a range of benefits including the ability to transport a wide variety of products safely, including agricultural and pharmaceutical items. As well as being used to store and transport all sorts of products across a range of sectors, bulk bags have a number of other benefits which have led to an increase in demand, such as:

1. Flexibility

There is a bulk bag available for every business need. Builders’ merchant bags, which are used to transport gravel or sand, are probably the most well known, but there are also food and pharmaceuticals bags which are produced in a sterile environment and keep products free from contaminants, anti-static bags for use near flammable liquids or explosive material, baffle bulk bags which let businesses maximise the volume of goods they can transport, PVC bags which can stand extreme temperatures and weather conditions, and ADR or UN certified bags for transporting hazardous waste.

2. Options

Bags are designed with storage and transportation in mind. Manufacturers, therefore, produce them with a range of options to make them easier to fill and handle. This includes open top, duffle top and spout top for filling and corner loops, lifts and straps for handling. They can be used for liquids, granules and powders. Manufacturers also offer options for customisation, allowing businesses to promote their brand and reach a wider audience.

3. Efficiencies

Bulk bags take less time to fill and are easier to handle than options such as drums. Also, they tend to hold their shape more than sacks. This makes them quicker to fill and easier to load onto trucks, saving businesses time in the short-term and money in the long-run.

4. Cost

As the uncertainty of Brexit has led to increased costs for goods and services, anything a business can do to reduce expenditure is seen as a good thing. Bulk bags help them do this by reducing the space required to store goods, because they can be stacked upwards. They also cost less to buy than alternatives such as sacks. It’s estimated that bags are 30% less expensive than sacks and are much easier to stack. Also, because bags are built to last, there is a reduced risk of there being spillages, meaning less product is wasted and more money is saved.

Market growth

In conclusion, there is an increased demand for FIBCs because they can be used multiple times, making them efficient and affordable when compared to other available options such as boxes, drums or sacks. They can also be used across a range of sectors. In the US, for example, demand is linked to the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, whereas in India, the agriculture sector is expected to be the biggest market. As a result, demand is set to grow until at least 2026, if not beyond.