When a new buyer contacts us, the first question is usually "What is the price of a jumbo bag?" Our first question back is "What are you putting in it?" That is because there is no single FIBC bag. There are dozens of combinations of body construction, lifting loops, tops, bottoms, fabric, coating and liners, and the right combination depends entirely on your product and your handling system.
This guide explains the main types of FIBC bags in plain language, the same way we explain them to customers at Insta Pack.
What Is an FIBC Bag?
An FIBC (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container) is a large, flexible container woven from polypropylene tapes, used to store and transport dry, flowable products such as powders, granules and flakes. Most FIBCs carry between 500 kg and 2,000 kg. They are also known as jumbo bags, bulk bags, big bags and tonne bags. They are lifted by loops or sleeves using a forklift or crane, and they fold flat when empty.
1. Types of FIBC Bags by Construction
Construction
How it is made
Where it works best
U-panel (U+2 panel / builder bag)
One long fabric panel forms the base and two opposite sides; two more panels are sewn in to form the remaining sides.
General industrial use, minerals, construction materials and chemicals. Holds a squarer shape than a circular bag.
Circular (tubular)
The body is woven as a seamless tube on a circular loom, so there are no vertical side seams. Top and bottom are sewn on.
Fine powders and hygiene-sensitive products, because fewer seams mean fewer places for sifting or contamination.
Baffle bag (Q-bag)
Internal fabric panels (baffles) are sewn across each corner to stop the bag bulging when filled.
Products shipped in containers or stored in stacks. The bag stays square, stacks more stably and uses space efficiently.
Net baffle bag
Like a baffle bag, but the baffles are made of net fabric, which lets product flow evenly into the corners.
Free-flowing products where even filling and a square shape both matter.
Single loop and two loop bags
The top of the tubular body is extended and formed into one or two lifting loops.
Fertilizers, grains and other high-volume products. Several bags can be lifted at once on a crane hook.
Tunnel bag
Instead of four corner loops, the bag has tunnel-shaped sleeves at the top through which forklift tines pass.
Fast forklift handling, common in construction and mineral supply.
UN bag
Designed, tested and marked for the transport of dangerous goods under the UN Recommendations, with packaging codes such as 13H1 to 13H4 for woven plastic FIBCs.
Hazardous goods that legally require UN-certified packaging.
Our range also includes box bags, platen bags and Juki bags, as well as PP woven fabric and PP ground cover fabric. Tell us about your application and we will recommend the construction that suits it.
2. Types of FIBC Bags by Top and Bottom Design
The top and bottom of the bag should match your filling and discharge equipment. The most common options are:
Open top: fully open for easy manual or grab filling, often used with a cover.
Duffle (skirt) top: a fabric skirt that is tied closed after filling; useful for bulky or irregular products.
Filling spout top: a narrow spout that connects to an automatic filling line and keeps dust down.
Flat bottom: the simplest option; the bag is cut open or tipped to empty.
Discharge spout bottom: a spout that is untied to control the flow of product into a hopper or silo.
3. Types of FIBC Bags by Static Protection: Type A, B, C and D
When powders flow in and out of a bag, friction generates static electricity. With non-flammable products this is a nuisance. With flammable powders, or near flammable solvents and gases, a spark can cause a fire or explosion. The international standard IEC 61340-4-4 classifies FIBCs into four types:
Type
What it is
Grounding needed?
Typical use
Type A
Plain polypropylene fabric with no static protection.
Not applicable
Non-flammable products, where no flammable dust, gas or vapour is present.
Type B
Fabric with a low breakdown voltage (below 6 kV) that prevents highly energetic propagating brush discharges. It does not dissipate charge.
No
Dry flammable powders, but not where flammable gases or solvent vapours are present.
Type C
Conductive fabric with interwoven conductive threads connected to a grounding point.
Yes, during filling and discharge
Flammable powders and hazardous atmospheres, provided grounding is guaranteed.
Type D
Static-dissipative fabric that safely releases charge into the air without grounding.
No
Flammable powders and hazardous atmospheres, especially where reliable grounding is difficult.
A note from our team: The bag type for a flammable product must come from a proper risk assessment by your site safety team, never from a price comparison. At present Insta Pack does not manufacture Type C conductive bags; they are part of our planned expansion. We are also working towards CROHMIQ® certification for static-protective FIBC fabrics. If your product needs static protection, speak to us first and we will tell you honestly what we can and cannot supply today.
4. Types of FIBC Bags by Application
Food-grade FIBC bags: manufactured under hygienic conditions for food, grain and ingredient use. Insta Pack's food safety management system is certified to ISO 22000:2018.
Coated vs uncoated bags: coated (laminated) fabric, 8 to 60 microns at Insta Pack, resists moisture and fine-powder sifting; uncoated fabric lets the product breathe.
Lined bags: an inner liner (15 to 120 microns) adds a moisture and contamination barrier for hygroscopic or very fine products.
UV-stabilised bags: tapes treated with UV stabiliser for outdoor storage and use.
UN bags: for regulated dangerous goods, as described above.
How to Choose the Right FIBC: Six Questions We Ask Every Customer
What is the product, and what is its bulk density? This decides the bag volume and dimensions.
How much will each bag carry? This sets the safe working load (SWL).
Is the product flammable, or will it be filled or emptied near flammable gases, vapours or dust? This decides Type A, B, C or D.
Is it a food, pharma or other hygiene-sensitive product? This decides food-grade manufacturing, liners and construction.
How will you fill, lift and discharge the bag? This decides the top, bottom and loop design.
Single trip or multiple trips, indoors or outdoors? This decides the safety factor and UV protection.
Answer these six questions and you already have most of your FIBC specification. We can help with the rest, including fabric weight (50 to 240 gsm), tube size (300 to 2,200 mm), colour and printing. Talk to our team at info@instapack.info or +91 70020 74721, or visit www.instapack.info.
About Insta Pack: Insta Pack is a manufacturer and exporter of FIBC (jumbo) bags, PP woven fabric, PP woven bags and BOPP bags, based in Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, India. Formally established in 2021 and built on several years of FIBC export experience through its group company, Insta Pack operates a 1 lakh sq. ft. manufacturing facility with a production capacity of approximately 400 metric tons per month. The company is certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 22000:2018. Contact: +91 70020 74721 | info@instapack.info | www.instapack.info