First-time bulk bag buyers will certainly have a few questions about the capacities, ordering process, attachments and optional extras. We’ve created this handy list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) that will give you more information and a better understanding of how these packaging products will benefit your business.
Custom Buk Bags is a major manufacturer and supplier of bulk bags in South Africa. We produce around 3.5 million bags every year for various industries, such as mining, agriculture, chemicals and construction. Our products can hold up to two tonnes of material and offer a durable, recyclable and versatile packaging solution for storing and transporting goods.
FAQs for buying bulk bags
1. How does the order process work?
New customers will sit down for a consultation with one of our experts so that we can ascertain your requirements. This will allow us to provide the correct optional extras for your needs and tailor your order according to your budget. Our questions to you will include the following:
- What industry are you in?
- What materials are you working with?
- What are you currently using to store and transport your goods?
- Are any of these materials hazardous or dangerous?
- Where will you be stacking and storing the bulk bags?
- Do you have any requirements for antistatic, UV protection, moisture resistance etc?
- Will you require inventory management or periodic re-stocking of your bulk bags?
The answers to these questions are very important as they let our team establish the best bulk bags for your business. If you’ve already purchased bulk bags before, then the consultation will be far shorter or could be skipped entirely. We’d just need to know if you’d like the same bags again or if you need something a little different.
2. What are bulk bags made from?
Custom Bulk Bags works with its sister company, IPP, to manufacture bulk bags from woven polypropylene tapes. IPP extrudes these tapes from recycled and virgin polymers, while Custom Bulk Bags turns the tapes into woven fabric. This material is highly durable, strong and versatile as it is plastic-based.
We can also include UV protective coating, inner liners, various attachments, custom labelling and printing on the fabric. All of our bulk bags have a minimum safety factor rating of 5:1, which means that they can hold at least five times their intended load before tearing or breaking.
3. What parts of the bag can be changed?
As a high-customisable and flexible packaging solution, bulk bags have various choices when it comes to design and functionality. Starting at the top of the bags, the lifting loops can be tailored to meet your requirements and equipment. Read our useful guide for loop designs to see which options you should consider.
Next, the top panel of the bag can be fully open or it can be sealable by way of a drawstring, zipper or conical filling spout. This panel is usually tailored to fit your filling equipment or to allow you to seal and protect your materials once they are inside the bag.
The side panels can also be customised, both inside and out. We can include baffles, inner liners and various other optional extras inside the bags, as well as certain coatings, labels, and printing on the exterior of the side panels.
Lastly, the bottoms of the bags are probably the most important part. These can include a full-bottom discharge, a spout bottom, a tie bottom or a flat (non-opening) bottom. These options are customised to fit your equipment and to ensure no spillage, wastage or accidental discharges during the lifting and transporting of the bulk bags.
4. Can bulk bags be used for flammable materials?
Many of our customers work with combustible materials, such as fertilizer and powdery chemicals. While bulk bags can be used to store and transport flammable products, there are a few additional steps that need to be taken. Firstly, flame-resistant coatings should be applied to the surfaces of the bulk bags to help minimise the damage caused by heat and flames.
Secondly, an antistatic bulk bag should be used for powdery substances that could catch alight if a static charge creates a spark. This guide to antistatic bulk bags will provide more information about the three levels of static protection and why it’s important for the safety of your employees.
5. What is the average lead time?
One of the most-asked questions is “when can we expect delivery of our bulk bags?” Custom Bulk Bags keeps a supply of products on hand to ensure faster lead times with minimal delays. We also have close partnerships with leading logistics companies in South Africa to ensure that shipments are delivered timeously.
Lead times depend on the size of your order and the complexity of the products being manufactured. Speak to one of our consultants for a more accurate estimation of delivery times for your specific order.
6. What certifications does Custom Bulk Bags have?
Custom Bulk Bags manufactures a number of UN-certified products. These regulatory requirements ensure consistency in quality and effectiveness. The UN regulations outline the legal responsibilities of bulk bag manufacturers and the expected efficacy of their products for various applications. Essentially, UN-certified bulk bags are a guarantee of quality and value for money.
In addition, Custom Bulk Bags also hold ISO 9001 certification for quality management and we are a Level 2 B-BBEE company. These certifications benefit our customers in various ways, not least through the high quality and reliability of our products. Always make sure that your preferred manufacturer can supply evidence of their certifications.
If you have further questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to chat with our expert consultants and sales execs. They will provide you with all the answers you need as well as helpful guidance along every step of the way. For more information about our bulk bags, please contact us today.
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Custom Bulk Bags is a leading South African manufacturer of woven polypropylene bags for various industries, such as mining, chemicals and food. We are able to produce over 3.5-million bulk bags per year, keeping our customers in stock at all times. Our bags adhere to the highest levels of quality as a result of our stringent in-house testing and quality control programmes.
Custom Bulk Bags holds ISO 9001 certification and we currently have a number of UN-certified designs. We are a Level 2 B-BBEE manufacturer and supplier and fall under the ownership structure of Deneb Investments Limited. For more information on our products, contact sales@custombulkbags.co.za. Follow us on Facebook for our latest news and industry insights.
