FIBC Terminology
The bulk bag vocabulary, in plain language — so you can spec with confidence.
- Baffle (Q-Bag)
- Internal fabric panels sewn across each corner so the bag holds a square shape when filled, increasing usable volume by up to 30% per footprint.
- Circular / Tubular
- Fabric woven as a continuous tube with no vertical side seams, reducing stress points and product sift — ideal for fine powders.
- Coated Fabric
- Polypropylene laminated with a film coating to make the weave moisture- and sift-resistant for fine or hygroscopic materials.
- Duffle Top
- A skirt of fabric around the full top opening that is tied closed after filling — allows fast, open filling.
- FIBC
- Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container; the technical name for a bulk bag or super sack.
- Lift Loops
- Reinforced fabric loops at the corners used to lift the bag with a forklift or crane. Configurations include corner, cross-corner, and stevedore loops.
- Liner
- An inner bag (often polyethylene) that adds a moisture or contamination barrier, or a form-fit shape for fine powders.
- Safe Working Load (SWL)
- The maximum weight a bag is rated to carry safely under normal handling.
- Safety Factor
- The ratio of a bag's tested break strength to its SWL — typically 5:1 (single-trip) or 6:1 (multi-trip / UN-rated).
- Spout
- A tubular fabric opening at the top (fill spout) or bottom (discharge spout) for controlled, dust-reduced filling or emptying.
- Static Type (A/B/C/D)
- Classification of a bag's static-control properties, from Type A (no protection) to Type C (groundable) and Type D (dissipative).
- U-Panel
- Construction in which two fabric panels are sewn to a base panel, forming a U — the cost-effective industry standard.
- UN Certified
- A bag tested and certified to transport UN-rated hazardous materials, supplied with documented test reports.
- Uncoated Fabric
- Breathable woven polypropylene without a film coating, suited to coarse or granular products that benefit from ventilation.