You’ve seen them as containers of fertilizers, animal feed, fruits, vegetables, produce, and many other products. Woven polypropylene bags, sometimes called PP bags, are versatile items. Because of their handiness and durability, they are often the best choice for practical functions.
If you’re pursuing certain projects, they make a fantastic choice. Polypropylene bags are great for a variety of purposes. They can be used for packaging and storage, or transporting and even sandbags for flood control.
But before making a decision, you would want to learn everything there is about woven polypropylene. Knowing the basics and know-how of this material can help you plan your project and save a great deal of money.
What Are Woven Polypropylene Bags?
Polypropylene bags are made of a tough, durable thermoplastic called polypropylene (PP). This material is often manufacturers’ preferred option for packaging products. It is highly tear-resistant and does well in extreme temperatures. Aside from daily necessities, PP is also used in the healthcare industry as tools and gear.
Woven PP bags are made of this material. Very thin strips of polypropylene are sewn tightly shut in two opposite directions, which is how woven PP bags are constructed. They adopt all the qualities of polypropylene.
That’s why PP sacks are often the best choices to store agricultural products such as soil, fertilizer, and produce. Their resistance to extreme conditions makes them appropriate even for difficult projects. This makes woven polypropylene a top choice for other industries that are demanding durable storage bags. Aside from its agricultural purposes, PP bags are also used in construction and transportation. They can even be placed in water-filled structures as sandbags to help regulate flooding and overflowing.
Aesthetics-wise, PP bags look practical and economical but are also customizable, which makes it a great bet for businesses who want to use them for branding and packaging at the same time.
Different Names Used for Woven Polypropylene Bags
“Polypropylene” may not be the simplest word out there, but you can remember it in other ways. The next time you go to a supplier, you can use these easier words to remember:- PP bags
- Woven poly bags
- Woven PP bags
- Poly sacks
- PP sacks
Make sure to not just shorten the name to “poly bags,” as this can be confused with polyethylene. While PP bags do count as poly bags, polyethylene is a different material altogether. If you must, add “woven” before the phrase.
You can also name what poly woven bags are used for: woven sacks, rice bags, sandbags, and the like. Of course, not all of these bags are made of the same material, so you should at least remember polypropylene’s short, easy nickname: PP.
Properties of Woven Polypropylene Bags
Woven PP sacks are a popular choice in many industries. The plastic itself is used in manufacturing, the medical industry, and even the military sector. Woven PP has remarkable qualities, widely utilized for its convenience. Here are the many qualities of polypropylene bags that make them stand out in terms of usability.
Durability and Resistance to Wear and Tear
When it comes to storing or transporting difficult items, such as sand or gravel, polypropylene is a great solution. As a matter of fact any item that is bulkier and requires tear-resistant containers such as produce, soil, and grovel would fare well in PP bags. PP bags are also great for agricultural storage as they provide protection against bugs and pests.
Because of this, woven polypropylene bags are far superior choices to paper bags or polyethylene bags. Woven PP bags can also withstand extreme temperatures. They stay intact in higher heat or colder conditions, unlike most types of plastics which easily melt or disintegrate.
Customizability
One of the best things about woven polypropylene is that you can tailor them according to your needs. You can add a label, a logo, or even illustrations to your fabric. Designs can be printed through a machine, or if you’re dealing with less bulk, paint is the way to go.
This is especially helpful if you’re shipping out products from your business. Having customized, memorable packaging can help you grow your business organically.
Breathability
Storing or shipping produce or anything that needs to keep its moisture? Woven PP bags would come in handy. The material is sewn not too loose enough to leak and not too tight to become inflexible, making it ideal for storage.
Woven poly bags are optimal for fruit and vegetable storage, as they help keep the produce fresh. These bags also hold soil and fertilizer well as they do not drain out softness and moisture.
Reusability
While they can have strong substances as components, PP bags are non-toxic and considered eco-friendly. This is because they are reusable, which means you consume less waste. They are also the type of plastic that will not melt so quickly. And since they have high levels of fatigue resistance, they can be used many times and for many functions.
Because these bags can be laminated, you can wash off excess product or dirt without any trouble. This extra film layer can add more protection, allowing it to feel good as new despite multiple uses. Also, since polypropylene is a thermoplastic, you can melt and heat it several times without compromising much of its quality.
Cost-Effectiveness
Since PP bags are durable and reusable, they are a great option if you’re trying to cut down costs. Due to having varied sizes, its filling capacity is better than most. You can use these bags for just about anything and more than once. Consider woven poly bags for your needs if value is a huge factor in your decision-making process.
Versatility
Above other bags, woven poly bags are beloved for how versatile they are. This ties into the material’s cost-effectiveness as well. By being an all-rounder, PP sacks are handy on every occasion and for every purpose. From storing consumables to helping with irrigation, these bags are your most economical choice.
Applications of Woven Polypropylene Bags
It’s been established that PP bags are among the most versatile containers out there. But what exactly can they be used for? While you’re free to try various things to store or keep in them, woven polypropylene bags are almost always seen in similar contexts. These are the most general industries that use and rely on PP bags.
Agricultural Purposes
Although woven PP bags offer lots of possibilities for usage, agriculture remains the most common. PP bags are staples in agricultural settings and spaces. Most of the time, common rice and potato sacks are made of woven polypropylene.These bags are also used to store essentials, from food to fire starters. Since they are made of breathable plastic, vegetation is kept fresh and most, if needed. If you’re planning to buy a woven poly bag for your agricultural needs, consider what you’ll be placing in it. It may be any, but not limited to, the following:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Animal feeds
- Seeds
- Soil and fertilizer
- Sand
- Stones and gravel
- Cement
- Firewood
- Coal
Even these difficult, hard-to-store farm items can find a home in woven PP sacks. In fact, they are created for the purpose of accommodating them. So the next time you store wood or coal, try using a polypropylene bag. Unlike some fabrics, they require little to no maintenance.
Transportation and Product Transit
Since PP bags can withstand the harshness that can come during shipments, people usually rely on them. Their durability makes them safe and secure. Additionally, woven PP bags help keep fruits and vegetables in their best condition.
Mechanical Industry and Building Infrastructure
This industry often uses woven PP because the materials and supplies involved are demanding. Those in infrastructure and engineering use PP bags to store heavyweight items, from sand and cement to sticks and gravel.
Aside from storage, woven polypropylene material is also used as a filter and drain. Its flexibility makes it ideal for these rigorous tasks. Very few other options are out there for this industry. Not even most fabrics can withhold the challenge of holding such items.
Flood and Water Management
Woven PP bags can be used as sandbags, which helps with controlling harsh water flow. While these bags are not water-resistant per se, they help regulate extreme conditions. They are often used in dikes and levees to help prevent overflowing in vulnerable areas.
Woven polypropylene is already a staple in construction, but in times of emergency, it can extend its help as well. People have been able to maximize it during emergencies. PP bags have been used to save both lives and unnecessary costs.
Storage for Common Household Items
Demanding industry or not, many people use woven polypropylene bags in their daily affairs. They are an easy favorite when it comes to packaging products. Households, warehouses, and cargo companies find a use for these sturdy materials.
Woven polypropylene is on par with other common materials such as burlap and other fabrics. Plus, PP bags are optimized multiple times to save costs and waste.
Prolonging Shelf Life Through Special Properties
Woven polypropylene bags can be customized—not only aesthetically, but structurally as well. These bags can be laminated to seal them and strengthen them further.
Polypropylene can also be ultraviolet (UV)-treated, which makes them resistant to the harmful effects of radiation. This makes them ideal as storage for products that are sensitive to sunlight. Putting such items in a PP bag will help preserve them and prolong their shelf life.
The Benefits of Using Woven Polypropylene Bags
With its many qualities, it’s no question that woven PP bags are among the top market choices. But if you’re buying them in large quantities, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with other options. If you’re still on the fence about choosing polypropylene bags, it might help you to remember the edge that they have over other bags.- It can hold large quantities of products and withstand difficult conditions. For bulky items and products, very little material is as comparable to woven polypropylene. PP is so tolerant to extreme external factors, from nasty pests to flooding. Its performance as agricultural containers is already exemplary. But the fact that it can be used to help mitigate the effects of a natural disaster makes it even more remarkable.
- It lasts a long time. Longevity is essential, especially if you’re using your sacks for a long-term purpose. Bags that disintegrate in a short period indicates flimsiness. This is not something you want for your project. If you’re packaging products or keeping them for a long time, this is not a factor to overlook.
- It’s something you can personalize. Woven PP sacks are great if you need to label your products. Additionally, if you’re running a business, it’s great to have customized packaging. You can print something as simple as your business name to your woven PP sack, and that’s one of the most organic ways to grow. You can even go all the way and paint on your PP sack—the possibilities are endless.
- It does not require a lot of maintenance. Since these bags can be laminated and covered, you don’t need to worry about degradation that would occur with paper and plain poly bags. Even though they can get dirty, they are easy to clean and reuse. Woven PP and its low-maintenance tendencies will save money in replacement costs and time with easy reusability.
- It’s your best, most economical choice. It all comes down to the question: is it worth investing in a bulk of these bags? The answer is yes—all its incredible qualities make it a great investment. They don’t cost much, but they will outlast other solutions.
- Less consumption means less waste and good for the environment. Standish Milling shares the same care and concern for the environment as you do. The use of these bags will reduce landfill deposits and help you be able to honestly say you are making a difference to the environment.
FAQs About Polypropylene Bags
Still have lingering questions about woven PP bags? You already know the material is used for common everyday activities and industrial solutions, but it’s not often you’re acquainted with its know-how’s. Here are some answers to questions you may have.
How are woven polypropylene bags made?
PP bags undergo a meticulous process that involves extrusion, weaving, and stitching. The starting material, polypropylene, is grounded into thin strips. Then, the strips are woven and stitched together.
This procedure is one of the reasons why PP bags are so resistant to wear and tear. Tight weaving and stitching still give room for air to sift through the material, hence its breathability.
Do woven PP bags melt?
As with all plastics, woven PP bags do melt—but it takes a lot for them to do so. It starts melting at around 160°C. Since polypropylene is a thermoplastic, it changes form according to extreme temperature changes. You can melt, cool, and reheat your PP bag, but its condition will not significantly deteriorate.
How long will my PP bags last?
Reusability is one of the most notable selling points of PP bags. If used correctly with minimal disintegration, you can trust your woven PP bag to last up to five years. This means that you can utilize them for long-term storage and purposes.
PP bags don’t require lots of maintenance but you want to keep them out of the weather when not in use if want to keep it in good condition in order to maximize it’s years of service.
Are woven polypropylene bags waterproof?
PP bags are composed of woven plastic strips, which means that there are still minuscule holes and gaps all over the material. Therefore, it is not waterproof. You should still take precautions when your bag is near water or a body of water, especially if it contains sensitive items.
But this doesn’t mean PP bags aren’t water-resistant. There’s a reason woven PP is often used as sandbags and irrigation control instruments. If the material is coated or laminated, you can count on a higher resistance to water.
Are polypropylene bags bad for the environment?
Woven poly bags can be recycled, reused, and reformed for up to half a decade before retiring to recycled materials. Because of that, you can consider it environmentally friendly to a degree. Of course, polypropylene is still plastic, which means they continue to contribute to waste. PP does take a longer time to decompose—like other types of plastic so it is imperative to recycle whenever possible. Weighing the necessity of replacement with a competitive paper bag vs the extended use and recyclability is important for you to make the best choice for your needs.
Where Can I Buy a Woven Polypropylene Bag?
Woven polypropylene bags come in lots of shapes and sizes. Consider your best fit by factoring in what, how much, and where you’ll be managing your storage.
Standish Milling has bags in stock for immediate shipment. They offer both medium- and large-sized bags, which can help you with a variety of your needs. The smaller-sized PP bags are at 19” x 36”, which you might need for items in smaller quantities. Larger bags are measured at 23” x 40” and they are ideal for more demanding items in terms of bulk or weight. These products can be bought in packs of 100.
Each PP bag from Standish Milling undergoes severe and meticulous quality checks. The bags are made of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), the laminated, durable material that PP bags are made of.
Conclusion
There are many other kinds of plastics and containers out in the market. But why not pick the most cost-effective, economical one? Woven polypropylene bags will help you and your cause, rain (literally) or shine, because of their top-notch properties. Its durability and versatility make it one of the most prized tools in several industries.
Kickstart your project with top polypropylene picks from Standish Milling. And if you’re still looking for specific items, feel free to explore our catalog of agricultural and gardening staples.
