Materials Science Engineers: The Triple Threat in FIBC Supply

*Pictured: An engineer poised to perfect your FIBC processes. IMPORTANT NOTE: Pictured engineer does not meet the coolness specifications required of the incredible engineers at Conitex Sonoco. Our engineers are far, far cooler than this guy.

Looking for your own personal triple threat in terms of keeping your bulk bag handling and filling or discharge process safe, profitable, and as efficient as possible? Your best assets for doing so may come down to the expertise and experience of your personnel. For the schooling and skill set best poised to help you optimize production throughput when using FIBCs, turn to the sciences—or, specifically, a specialized engineer. 

A materials science engineer (or MSE) is a professional who has taken years of comprehensive collegiate courses across several scientific disciplines, including concentrations and practical lab work in physics, chemistry, and engineering. This trifold theory-and-tech background gives an MSE the skills needed to solve real-world problems regarding the ways that organic and inorganic materials work well together and where they don’t. This is a key differentiator from other types of Engineering as an Engineer can tell you if the bag design is structurally sound, an MSE can not only provide the macro-level details, but also get into the micro-level interactions between your material and the packaging.

Why is this important? When you’re purchasing bulk bags for your company, your MSE can advise you on the specific way that your products and goods will interact with your storage and transportation tools and strategies as well as provide any risks for the material composition of your bulk bag as it relates to your product. 

For example, a seasoned, skilled MSE can help you decide which type of bag works best for your industry. They can also perform real-time analysis regarding how your bags are performing to help improve throughput and efficiency. In addition, your MSE speaks the same technical language as your Engineers  and can work with you to optimize both your product and your bag selection to ensure that your product is in the best position for safe transportation and storage and that your bulk bags are best poised to be a viable, long-term, sustainable choice for your business.

Ultimately, your MSE will help you anticipate better choices and conditions for your bulk bag and production strategies to create an optimal environment for both bulk bags and your product. By working with an MSE, you can make these types of crucial—yet underrated—choices without having to learn these lessons the hard way first with the loss of revenue, spoiled products, or ruined bags. 

If This Sounds Familiar, You Need an MSE Managing FIBC Supply

Think about the following situations. Do any of them sound like thoughts you’ve had? 

• You need to know exactly how much weight you can trust your bags to carry so you can use each bag efficiently without risking overloading or breakage. 
• You want to know precisely what design improvements can help increase filling and discharge efficiencies, reduce handling, and maximize safety.
• You need to know how your industry’s use of your bulk bags will affect their longevity and durability. 

This last factor will depend on the nature of your industry, which can vary widely depending upon your FBIC manufacturer. At Conitex Sonoco, for example, we provide bags individualized to the needs of the aggregate, agriculture, chemical, construction, food, fertilizer, rubber, aquaculture, pet food products, and pharmaceuticals industries. Interested in learning why your specific industry matters in terms of your bags’ longevity? It all comes down to what you use them for: 

Chemical industries

In these industries, FBICs can be used for dry, nonreactive chemical powders or pharmaceuticals. You can get special bulk bags that reduce the risk of static shock or are similarly prepared to shield people and product alike from adverse effects. 

Food and Nutrition

You may use the bulk bags for the transportation of grains or other dry products. You’ll need to consider mold, dampness, and more for the specifications of your bags. You’ll also want a specific type of FBIC that is certified safe for food products.

Construction and Mining

Sand, gravel, cement, resins as well as coal, minerals, and metal ore can be transported in bulk bags; that friction, as well as the wear and tear typical of construction sites, can have a big impact on the long-term integrity of your FBICs. 

Conitex Sonoco Is Your Source for Strong, Sustainable, High-Quality Bulk Bags

At Conitex Sonoco, we’re proud to meet the needs of a wide variety of industries with our time-tested FIBC bulk bags. We offer in-house technical support, locally based manufacturing, and lots of customization options so you can ensure your bulk bags are tailored to the needs of your business. Our experts assist with the performance of on-site surveys in order to help you improve your production efficiencies, and we can review your specific bag design to help you optimize them for maximum efficiency. 

Interested? Our customization options include: 

• Catering to your high-speed filling application
• Matching your fill and discharge spouts
• Offering bar code labeling for product tracking
• And more! 

Whether you’re looking for a new bag supplier or are interested in learning more about what we can offer you, reach out to the experts at Conitex Sonoco for the industry insights you need.