Product Description
Type C FIBC Bags — also called conductive bags or groundable bags — are the essential bulk packaging solution for operations handling flammable powders or working in environments where flammable gases, vapours, or combustible dusts may be present. Unlike Type A or Type B bags, which rely on material properties to prevent certain types of electrostatic discharge, Type C bags take an active approach: a grid of electrically interconnected conductive threads runs through the entire bag fabric, creating a continuous conductive path that channels any electrostatic charge safely to ground when the bag is connected to an earth point.
Manufactured at our ISO-certified facility in Vietnam using conductive polypropylene fabric tested to IEC 61340-4-4, our Type C FIBC bag is supplied with full electrostatic test documentation — the grounding resistance certificate, conductivity test report, and compliance declaration that ATEX/DSEAR safety assessors and procurement managers require. Every bag includes clearly marked grounding points and is produced with the grounding ribbon or conductive loop configuration your filling and discharge equipment requires.
Type A / B / C / D — FIBC Safety Classification Guide
| Type | Static Protection | Grounding Required | Safe When Present |
| Type A | None | No | Non-flammable materials only |
| Type B | Prevents PBD only | No | Combustible dust (MIE > 3 mJ); NO gases/vapours |
| Type C | Full — all discharge types | YES (mandatory) | Combustible dust + flammable gases/vapours |
| Type D | Full — dissipative | No | Combustible dust + flammable gases/vapours |
Why Choose This Bag?
- Complete protection against all electrostatic discharge types — brush discharge, spark discharge, and propagating brush discharge (PBD)
- IEC 61340-4-4 certified grounding resistance < 10⁷ ohm from any point on the bag to ground — verified and documented
- Conductive threads interwoven throughout the fabric in a continuous grid — no gaps in the static dissipation path
- Available in circular, U-panel, and 4-panel constructions with all standard top/bottom configurations
- Compatible with conductive L1 liner systems for complete inner-surface static protection on the product-contact surface
| ⚠️ SAFETY REQUIREMENT: Type C bags MUST be connected to an earth ground point during ALL filling and discharge operations. An ungrounded Type C bag provides NO electrostatic protection. Verify grounding resistance is < 10⁷ ohm before each filling cycle. Never use Type C bags if grounding cannot be reliably maintained — use Type D instead. |
Typical Applications Industries
- Flammable organic chemical powders: resins, acrylics, peroxides
- Pharmaceutical powders with low Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE < 3 mJ)
- Mining minerals in environments with flammable gas or vapour presence
- Food processing environments with combustible dust and solvent vapour co-presence
- Any ATEX Zone 0, 1, or 2 classified area where grounding can be reliably maintained
| 💡 BUYER TIP: When specifying Type C bags, also specify the grounding ribbon length and termination type (alligator clip, banana plug, or ring terminal) at the same time. Mismatched grounding connectors are the most common cause of grounding failures in the field — and failures only become apparent when an incident occurs. |
Technical Specifications
| Type Classification | Type C (IEC 61340-4-4) |
| Grounding Resistance | < 10⁷ ohm (bag-to-ground, any measurement point) |
| Conductive Thread Grid | Interwoven throughout fabric — continuous electrical path |
| Grounding Point | Grounding ribbon / conductive loop (clearly marked) |
| Suitable Environments | Combustible dust + flammable gases / vapours (ATEX Zone 0,1,2) |
| NOT Safe Without | Grounding — ungrounded Type C performs like Type A (no protection) |
| Construction Options | Circular / U-Panel / 4-Panel |
| Safe Working Load | 500 kg – 2,000 kg |
| Safety Factor | 5:1 (single-use) / 6:1 (multi-trip) |
| Fabric | Conductive PP woven — IEC 61340-4-4 compliant |
| Fabric Weight (GSM) | 100 – 220 gsm |
| Lifting Loops | 4 corner loops (conductive) / Cross-corner loops |
| Top Options | Open top / Spout top / Duffle top |
| Bottom Options | Flat bottom / Discharge spout / Conical discharge |
| Liner | Optional conductive L1 liner (see Conductive Liner product) |
| Printing | Up to 4-colour (grounding instruction markings included) |
| Test Standard | IEC 61340-4-4; ISO 21898 |
| Certification | SGS tested; grounding resistance test report supplied |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What happens if a Type C bag is used without grounding?
An ungrounded Type C FIBC bag provides no meaningful electrostatic protection — it behaves essentially like a Type A bag. The conductive threads can only dissipate static charge if there is a complete circuit to ground. If the grounding connection is absent, broken, or has resistance above 10⁷ ohm, static charge accumulates in the bag just as it would in a standard bag, with all associated ignition risks.
Q2: How do I verify that a Type C bag is properly grounded before use?
Grounding should be verified using a dedicated static ground verification tester measuring the resistance from the bag’s grounding point to the earth connection. The resistance must measure below 10⁷ ohm. Many facilities install permanent ground testing stations at each filling point where the operator connects the bag’s grounding ribbon and receives a visual pass/fail indication before the fill cycle begins.
Q3: Can Type C bags be reused, and how many trips are they rated for?
Yes. Type C bags specified with 6:1 safety factor are rated for multi-trip use. However, the conductive thread grid must be inspected before each trip — any visible damage to the conductive threads compromises the grounding path, and the bag must be retired. The grounding resistance should be re-tested after any bag that has been dropped, overloaded, or shows signs of fabric wear.
Q4: What documentation do you provide with Type C FIBC bag?
Every Type C FIBC order is supplied with: IEC 61340-4-4 electrostatic conductivity test report from an accredited laboratory, grounding resistance measurement certificate, ISO 21898 structural conformity declaration, SGS quality inspection report, and batch traceability records.
| Source Type C FIBC bag with complete IEC 61340-4-4 documentation for your ATEX/DSEAR compliance files. Contact us for specifications, test reports, and pricing.
→ Request Type C FIBC Quote – Contact Us |
