FIBC stands for Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container. They are more commonly known as Bulk Bags. The packages are classified as intermediate containers because of their size; typically having filled weights between about 500 and 4000 pounds. Bulk bags are not small enough to be moved easily by hand, however not large enough to be classified as a full bulk container, such as a truckload or railcar. FIBCs were originally developed in Europe in the 1970’s, but were widely adopted thereafter in the Americas and other developing industrial nations. Use of FIBCs today permeates nearly all industries, where dry bulk solids are handled including food, chemicals, and even pharmaceuticals.
The most common material used in FIBC construction is 100% virgin polypropylene, petroleum based product which is a tough relatively inert thermoplastic.