From the rolling farmlands in the Free State to the bustling ports in South Africa’s seaside cities, bulk bags are a common sight. Several industries, including manufacturing, construction, mining, and agriculture, use these versatile and durable containers. They provide an economical and effective way to handle, move, and store a variety of goods, including chemicals, building supplies, fertiliser and grain.
Custom Bulk Bags is a leading manufacturer and supplier of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) in South Africa. We produce up to 3.5 million bulk bags per year and our products can safely hold between 500kg and two tonnes of material per bag. Our products can be tailored to meet your needs.
Along the supply chain, these flexible containers will need to be stored. Ideally, they should be kept in a cool, dry and covered area but this is not always possible. Sometimes bulk bags need to be stored outside, so there are a few considerations to take into account if this is a necessity.
Tips for storing FIBCs outside
Storing bulk bags in a warehouse shields them from the weather and elements, especially direct sunshine, which can deteriorate the polypropylene fabric over time. However, outdoor storage might be required in specific circumstances. To extend the life of your bulk bags outside, follow these important guidelines:
- Minimise sun exposure – Try to store your bulk bags in the shade, whether it’s under a tree or a shade cloth covering. If they can’t be stored in complete shade, a tarp or another UV-resistant material should be draped over the bags.
- Invest in UV-treated bags – Custom Bulk Bags offers UV-resistant coatings on bulk bags. These slow down the deterioration process brought on by sunshine, which prolongs the shelf-life of the FIBCs.
- Add inner liners – Consider adding inner liners to your bulk bags for extra protection against moisture and pests, or for extremely sensitive products.
- Store them off the ground – Raised platforms or wooden pallets are good ways to elevate your bulk bags so they don’t absorb moisture and sustain damage from direct contact with the ground.
- Secure them properly – To secure your bulk bags, especially in locations where strong winds are common, use straps or tie-downs. This keeps them from toppling over and possibly breaking.
For the best outdoor storage practices, examine your bulk bags frequently to look for any indications of wear and tear or damage. Take quick action to resolve any problems to stop things from getting worse if you notice any degradation in the fabric. In addition, pest management is critical when storing bulk bags outside. Put a pest management strategy into action and use repellents or traps to prevent rats and insects from damaging the FIBCs.
Why are bulk bags so popular?
Bulk bags are a popular option for various reasons. They are made from woven tapes of polypropylene, which gives the fabric remarkable durability and strength. They are resilient to rips, tears, and abrasions and can support heavy weight loads. This strength guarantees the secure containment of products at every stage of the supply chain.
Beyond their toughness, bulk bags are incredibly versatile. They are available in a range of sizes: from compact, half-cubic-metre models that are great for smaller loads to large, two-tonne bags that are perfect for bulk volumes.
To further meet your needs, they can customised with features like lifting loops, discharge spouts, and even printed designs on the fabric. This adaptability guarantees the ideal match for your particular application.
The affordability of bulk bags is arguably one of their best features. Compared to rigid containers or steel drums, they are a lot less expensive packaging solution. Their value proposition is further enhanced by their reusability, which lets you save long-term handling and storage expenses.
Working with the right bulk bag supplier
Choosing the right manufacturer is essential to extending the life of your bulk bags, whether they are kept outside or inside. Custom Bulk Bags provides a wide range of world-class bulk bags that can be customised to meet your needs. Our knowledgeable staff can offer consultations and guidance to assist you in choosing the ideal features and specifications for your bulk bags.
Even in the face of demanding outdoor storage conditions, you can be sure that your bulk bags deliver optimal performance and value by adhering to these suggestions and working with a reputable bulk bag manufacturer like Custom Bulk Bags. For more information about our FIBCs or to get advice on the ideal designs, 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, LinkedIn and Instagram for our latest news and industry insights.
