Product Category
Bulk Packaging
FIBC bulk bags, UN rated bags, liners and pallet covers for storing and moving dry bulk material. Standard and custom configurations, with local manufacturing in Calgary when you need a custom bag fast.
Bulk Packaging FAQs
What is an FIBC?
An FIBC (flexible intermediate bulk container) is a large woven polypropylene bag used to store and transport dry bulk materials.
Do you make bulk bags in Canada?
Yes. BWI can manufacture FIBCs in Calgary, including UN rated bags. Most standard bags are imported from audited partners, which keeps pricing competitive. We make bags locally when a customer needs a custom bag on a short timeline or a prototype.
What sizes do you stock?
Footprints from 24 x 24 in to 42 x 42 in, with heights from 24 in to 72 in. Call us for current stock.
How long can I store a bulk bag outside?
The short answer is that you shouldn’t plan to. The Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container Association (FIBCA) recommends against outdoor storage. Our bags contain UV stabilizers, but those are designed to protect the bag during short-term exposure, like sitting on a loading dock or in a staging area, not for ongoing storage in the sun.
What if I cover my bags with a tarp?
Covering helps and is the minimum we’d recommend if bags must be outside. Use an opaque, UV-resistant tarp and keep bags off the ground on pallets. A cover slows the damage but doesn’t stop it, so covered bags still shouldn’t be treated as indefinitely safe.
If my bag sat outside uncovered, will it break when I lift it?
It might. UV exposure weakens the fabric, lift loops and stitching, often with no obvious visual sign. FIBCA states that bags stored outside unprotected can’t be guaranteed safe to handle. If a bag has been outside for an extended or unknown period, don’t lift it overhead or near people. Contact us and we can help you decide whether to transfer the product to a new bag.
Does where I am matter?
Yes. UV intensity varies by region, altitude and season, and reflective surfaces like snow or light-coloured concrete add exposure. Here in Alberta, our altitude and long summer days mean bags can degrade faster than you’d expect.
What is the shelf life of a bulk bag stored indoors?
FIBCA doesn’t set a standard shelf life, because fabric, construction, storage conditions and contents all affect it. Stored indoors, dry and out of sunlight, bags hold up well. For older stock, the best practice is to have samples tested against new bags from the same lot.
What are the signs a bag may be UV-damaged?
Fabric that looks chalky, faded or brittle; fibres that flake or split when rubbed; stiff or frayed lift loops. If you see any of these, don’t lift the bag.