FIBC market sees growth with new products

By Staff -- Purchasing, 4/5/2001

Amid the slowing U.S. economy, the market for flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC) appears to be flourishing.

While market growth for many other forms of bulk packaging slows with chemical shipments, the market for FIBC s has seen better-than-10%/yr growth in recent years, and market observers expect that to continue. A major contributor to the growth in FIBC s has been their low cost, flexibility and performance compared to steel drums and rigid intermediate bulk containers. In fact, it has become apparent that FIBC s are gleaning marketshare from bulk drums and the more expensive rigid IBCs.

According to Julie Janicke, marketing manager at B.A.G. Corp., a major domestic producer of FIBC s based in Dallas, Texas, " FIBC s are lighter, significantly cheaper and may be reused with certain materials. Through reuse, FIBC s can also provide buyers with an added cost savings over other forms of bulk packaging because they have the ability to be shipped back flat, unlike rigid containers," she says.

New products

According to a recent study by The Freedonia Group, an industrial market research firm based in Cleveland, Ohio, plastic packaging, shipping and storage containers provide production, performance and distribution advantages over other modes of shipping containers. These factors have and will continue to drive opportunities for growth.

Chemical buyers demand performance enhancements and other options that will allow them to get more for their money when buying FIBC s. As a result, producers continue to release new products designed ultimately to save cost. Here are a few:

• B.A.G. Corp., Dallas, Texas, offers its MaxSack container constructed with internal baffles and a spread-strap lift-loop design to keep its square shape after filling for better use of shipping and storage space. The container comes with a double-coated baffle fabrication to prevent contamination of product and comes in three standard sizes: 43" by 43", 40" by 48", and 48" by 48" with an assortment of height sizes to hold up to 3,000 lb of product, according to the company.

• Mulox Inc., in Baxley, Ga., has released two new FIBC s designed for cost-effective handling and storage of dry bulk materials: the Mulox 2200 and the Mulox 3300. Both containers are made of 100% polypropylene and include lift loops and reinforcing bands. Options include coated or uncoated fabric with a polyethylene liner for hydroscopic materials, doubled-side seam or circular woven "seamless" design. A variety of top and bottom closures and anti-bridge bottoms are also available.

• Grayling Industries , based in Alpharetta, Ga., manufactures its line of Guardian form-fitted disposable liners specifically for use in FIBC s with granular, powdered and liquid materials. The liners are constructed of linear and ultra-low density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, rubber modified polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, Surlyn and a variety of co-extrusion, multi-wall and laminated resin films. Also, they may be custom manufactured to fit customers' specific requirements.