Demystifying Food Grade FIBCs
Emmbi Industries Limited
Brighter Every Way | India's Most Valued Sustainable Polymer Processing Company
With the ongoing recession and inflation, smart cost-effective solutions for transportations have become even more important such as FIBCs. For decades, the storage and packaging of food-related products have been the victim of hygiene and contamination, making safety the foremost concern in the pecking order of priorities which in turn increase the cost of logistics.
FIBCs have spurred up to be a cost-effective storage and transportation alternatives in the past few years. To put this in perspective, in the last 10 years, the Indian FIBC market has surged by 38%. Food Grade FIBCs, particularly, have registered impressive growth rates. As of 2021, FIBC production in India stood at 306,996 MT, of which Food Grade FIBC contributed almost 28%. [2]
What makes an FIBC food grade?
Virgin Resin
Food Grade FIBCs are made using 100% virgin resin and food-grade additives. They are manufactured in sterile and pest-free facilities that are manned by highly trained, medically fit staff. Plus, the materials used in these FIBCs are resistant to heat, UV rays, mould, mildew and other external stimuli. This makes it durable and ideal for packaging and transporting perishable items.
The materials are robust and can ensure storage, lifting and transportation. Furthermore, virgin resin meets the US FDA Food Contact Regulation 21 CFR 177.1520.
Standards & Certifications
Food Grade FIBCS are usually certified by reputed third-party agencies, including like those of, British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Safe Quality Foods (SQF). These agencies assess the facility’s cleanliness during the manufacturing process and the quality of materials used. Another certification of note is the Food Safety Management System (FSMS). This one comprises a set of standards that direct and control aspects of food safety.
The high-level requirements put forth by agencies inspect the following aspects:
Going beyond the agencies standards, at Emmbi ensure that each step of the process is rigorously contaminant free and the quality of raw materials used are?of the highest standards. We also ensure all accessories are contaminant free and are made inhouse at our?Cleantec?facility.
Health & Hygiene
Along with the hygiene of our facility we ensure regular health check ups of our staff so that there is no contamination on the floor. We also provide all the safety gear required to prevent contamination by bacteria and pathogens. Following are a few more aspects that we adhere, to maintain our promised standards:-
Customization
Food companies have specific transportation and storage requirements, hence customization for different products and companies is of utmost importance for optimum efficacy of the product.
In this regard, the FIBCs can include a duffle or open top for convenient filling, alternatively, it can also have spout bottoms for easy discharge. Yet another option is FIBC linings. In many cases, the FIBC needs to be paired with a liner as well, such as an aluminium one. This ensures different kind of materials stored inside are kept safe for long durations without being contaminated.
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Taking Food Grade FIBCs a step further
Our Food Grade FIBCs offer long-term aroma retention and keep the product fresh. These FIBCs are often made using liners that are made using aluminum-laminated films with layers of plastic that ensure the quality and integrity of the packed products.
Emmbi’s Food Grade FIBCs are suited for packaging and transporting coffee beans, soy, hemp, tea, and products that require leak-proof packaging. It provides resistance from moisture, oxygen, chemicals and UV rays that help in retaining the aroma and freshness and the nutritional value of the product.
To consistently produce state-of-the-art Food Grade FIBCs, Emmbi’s CleanTec – the next-gen contamination-free production facility, plays a vital role.
Emmbi’s Cleantech System ensures that the packaging is produced in a highly controlled environment governed by the stringent BRC standards for food grade packaging.
Spread across 40,000 square feet, our unit is air-conditioned with positive pressure to avoid direct entry of dust and polluted air. Even the floor is governed with filters for an end-to-end contamination-free manufacturing process in the area. Furthermore, all the entry points are protected with an air wash system, and ultraviolet insect catchers.
The raw material storage is completely enclosed, free from any kind of contamination. A centralized mixing and dosing system are also installed for raw material supply to extrusion lines.
How are Food Grade FIBCs made?
The maximum weaving width for the FIBCs is kept up to 82 inches, with the CleanTec production system weaving a fabric of up to 260 GSM on the fleet.
The extrusion coating process is also under FSMs controlled area, installed with laser edge trimming device, and directly coupled weaving?section, ensuring uniformity in FIBCs at all times. Apart from that, light reflective weaving, and fault-checking equipments?help bid out the defective fabric right at the beginning of the process.
The FIBCs are given composite overlock with safety stitching machines. Heat-cut baffle punching provides the exact punch as needed, holding a specialised bag-making section.
The FIBCs are sent to a natural weathering outdoor test site for checking UV stability. The bags are also cleaned using our blowing system that is loaded with a micro camera for observing the inner surface of the bag, which ensures that no metal particles are trapped inside the bag.
For packaging, the bags are first placed in a fabric tray, wrapped by a stretch foam after bailing, and then covered with a waterproof moisture and abrasion protective cover for proper identification.
Finally, it is pertinent to note that in the entire process of manufacturing, only food-grade additives and lubricants are used that make our FIBCs suitable for all use cases.
To learn how Emmbi can help you with a consistent supply of Food Grade FIBCs, please get in touch with us at?[email protected]