Bulk Box
Bulk boxes were one of the earliest methods used to package dry bulk resin and they are still in use today. These pallet-size boxes are typically rectangular or octagonal in shape and made of corrugated cardboard. Often times they are referred to as gaylords, from the trade name used by the Gaylord Container Company that first manufactured them. They are also frequently referred to as octabins, which came from the shape of octagonal bulk boxes. Bulk boxes may also be known as bulk cargo containers, pallet boxes, skid boxes, jumbo boxes, or bin boxes.
Bulk boxes are easy to stack on a pallet. They are multi-ply for durability. We line each bulk box with a new liner bag before plastic resin pellets are packaged in them. This helps keep the product free from contamination and moisture. Depending on its type and dimensions, a bulk box can hold up to 5,000 pounds of plastic pellets; a standard box, however, generally holds up to 1,500 pounds.
FIBC's
FIBC stands for Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers. FIBC's are bulk fabric bags, typically made from woven polypropylene (PP). Depending on the type, these large bags can hold up to 4,000 pounds of plastic pellets. FIBC's are also referred to as bulk bags or ton bags. Sometimes they are referred to as Super Sacks, but Super Sack® is a trade name for a specific FIBC made by BAG Corp, a division of United Bags.
There are different types of FIBC's: Type A, Type B, Type C, and Type D. The types are based on the degree to which the bag conducts electricity. There are also different shapes of bags including square, 4-panel, circular, and U-panel. Bulk bags typically have between two to four handles. These handles enable the bags to be lifted by forklifts without the need of a pallet. They also allow the bags to be tied.
Drums
Drums are another type of bulk container that can be used to package plastic resin pellets. There are different types of drums, but most are metal (generally stainless steel), plastic, or fiber drums (generally made from kraft paper with metal or plastic rims and lids). Liners can be used in drums, in a similar way to bulk boxes and bags.
Drums for plastic pellet packaging generally range from 30 to 75 gallon capacity, with 55 gallon (200 liters) being a standard size. 55 gallon drums can hold close to 900 pounds of plastic pellets. Metal and plastic drums come with open top or closed top (tight head) options.
Small Sacks
Some clients need dry bulk resin to be packaged or re-packed into much smaller containers. 55-lb (25-kg) bags are a standard size for packaging and shipping smaller quantities of resin. Also known as sacks, these bags are typically made of woven polypropylene (PP) like their larger bulk bag cousins. These bags can be manually filled or filled via an automated process. Valve bags are a popular type of packaging in this size (although valve bags are also available in 50-kg and custom sizes). ASW uses machinery to package plastic resin into valve bags.
Instead of filling them, at times ASW receives resin in smaller sacks and is asked to re-pack multiple sacks into single large bulk bags or boxes. This enables clients to then ship their product in bulk to other customers. It also allows them to sell white-label manufactured product in bulk quantities under their own brand names.
Learn More about Polymer Packaging Services
Plastic resin can be packaged into a variety of containers. The type of packaging used can be based on quantity, product type, available equipment, shipping methods, or customer preference. Large boxes and bags are used to package bulk quantities up to approximately 5,000 pounds (depending on container size). Drums and sacks are used to package smaller quantities, with larger drums holding up to 900 pounds and sacks holding up to 75 pounds.