Bulk Bag Glossary.
Every industry has its own language. Here's the FIBC terminology you'll hear from suppliers, engineers, and freight forwarders — explained simply.
FIBC terminology
Speak the language of bulk bags.
Every industry has its own terms. Knowing how suppliers, engineers, and sales teams describe FIBC options helps you compare specifications, ask clearer questions, and choose the right bag faster.
Approval Drawing
A technical drawing supplied by the plant for the prospective customer's review and approval, prior to production, to ensure compliance with the customer's needs and expectations.
Baffle
Pieces of fabric sewn across each corner of a tubular or four-panel bag to improve squareness, appearance, load stability, and storage/shipping space utilisation.
Bag Height
The height dimension of an FIBC, measured from the top seam to the bottom seam.
Belt Patch
A piece of fabric sewn either between the main fabric of the bag body and the lift belt, or on top of the lift belt, used to improve sift resistance and/or the safe working load (SWL).
Bias Strap / Tape
Made of multi-filament yarns (MFY), polyester, or polypropylene, used to tie inlet and outlet spouts. Also called a web tie or tie strap.
Coating
A thin layer of polypropylene or polyethylene applied to the woven fabric to reduce porosity and improve sift resistance and moisture protection.
Conductive Thread
Carbon-impregnated thread woven into the fabric at regular intervals to dissipate static electricity, used in Type C anti-static FIBC bags.
Denier
A unit of measurement for the linear mass density of yarn — the higher the denier, the thicker and stronger the tape yarn used to weave the fabric.
Discharge Spout
A tube-shaped outlet on the base of an FIBC that allows controlled product discharge, typically closed with a tie or clamp.
Duffle Top
An extended fabric skirt at the top of the bag that can be gathered and tied closed after filling, commonly used where dust containment is required.
Filling Spout
A tube-shaped inlet at the top of the bag used to direct product into the bag during automated filling.
GSM (Grams per Square Metre)
A measurement of fabric weight used to indicate the thickness and strength of the woven polypropylene fabric.
Laminated Fabric
Woven fabric bonded with a thin polypropylene film, offering improved barrier protection against moisture and fine powders compared to coating alone.
Liner
An inner bag, typically PP or PE film, inserted into the FIBC to provide an additional moisture, contamination, or odour barrier.
Loop
The lifting handle sewn onto the bag, used by forklifts or cranes to lift and move the filled FIBC. Common configurations include corner, cross-corner, and sleeve loops.
MFY (Multi-Filament Yarn)
Yarn made of many fine continuous filaments twisted together, used for stitching threads and bias tapes due to its high tensile strength.
PP (Polypropylene)
The thermoplastic polymer used to manufacture FIBC tape yarn and fabric, valued for its strength-to-weight ratio, chemical resistance, and recyclability.
Safety Factor (SF)
The ratio between a bag's breaking strength and its Safe Working Load. A 5:1 safety factor means the bag is tested to withstand five times its rated load before failure.
SWL (Safe Working Load)
The maximum load a bag is certified to carry safely under normal operating conditions, expressed in kilograms.
Tape Yarn
Flat polypropylene tape extruded and stretched to specific width and denier, then woven into FIBC fabric on circular or flat looms.
UN Certification
Certification confirming a bag meets United Nations standards for the safe packaging and transport of hazardous goods (Type 13H bags).
UV Stabilisation
Additives blended into the PP resin during extrusion to protect the fabric from degradation caused by prolonged sunlight exposure during outdoor storage.
Woven Fabric
Fabric created by interlacing tape yarns at right angles on a loom, forming the base material for FIBC bag bodies.