The flexible intermediate bulk container popularly nomenclatured as FIBCs is said to have been first manufactured in the late 1950s / early 1960s in the United States, Europe and Japan. The FIBCs manufactured with polyolefin fabrics were experimented in Uk, Canada and the US around late 1960s and early 1970s.The growth of the flexible intermediate bulk bags that are universally used today is however spurned with the development of the high strength lightweight fabric (polypropylene). The FIBCs are giant size bags in drum or box shapes, with capacities ranging from 250-2000 kg depending on the bulk density of the product. Whereas the basic material is polypropylene (PP), high-density Polyethylene (HDPE) or polyamide (Nylon) are also used. The FIBCs can be custom built to meet specific requirement and also UV stabilized.
The concept of bulk packaging revolves around environmental aspects apart from reducing the cost of packaging and faster handling. They also facilitate to minimize losses in spillage and pilferage and create better working atmosphere.
India witnessed the introduction of FIBCs during early 1990s and has since grown to be frontline manufacturers in the world. Although the domestic market growth is still at a slow pace, the converting industry has found export acceptance and nearly ninety percent of production is exported providing the exchequer an excellent FE earning. Both the domestic demand and exports are envisaged to record excellent growth potential.