The packing decision gets made on price far too often, and then regretted at the discharge port. What it
should turn on is what your plant can actually receive.
Jumbo bags (FIBC)
One or one and a half tonnes per bag, UV stabilised, lined, with a top spout and a discharge spout. Roughly
20 to 22 MT in a 20 ft container. This is the default for most buyers because it needs nothing at destination
but a forklift, and part-loads can sit in a yard without deteriorating.
50 kg HDPE bags
Laminated, printed to your artwork, palletised and shrink-wrapped. About 20 MT per 20 ft container. More
expensive per tonne, but it is what you need if the ash is being resold through a distribution network rather
than tipped into a silo.
Container liners
A single liner bag fitted inside a 20 ft box, filled in bulk and discharged pneumatically or by tipping.
Around 26 to 28 MT per container, so the freight per tonne drops sharply. Requires the right discharge
equipment at your end.
Gearless bulk vessel
From 5,000 MT upward, loaded through a conveyor and grab into the hold. By far the lowest cost per tonne and
by far the highest bar to clear: you need a berth, grab or pneumatic discharge, covered storage and the
appetite for a full vessel parcel.
Comparing them honestly
| Method | Per 20 ft | Relative cost | Needs at destination |
|---|
| 50 kg bags | 20 MT | Highest | Forklift only |
| Jumbo bags | 20 to 22 MT | High | Forklift, hopper |
| Container liner | 26 to 28 MT | Medium | Tipper or pneumatic |
| Bulk vessel | 5,000 MT plus | Lowest | Berth, grab, silo |
One thing people forget
Fly ash is hygroscopic. Bagged ash stored uncovered through a monsoon will cake, and caked ash blocks a
screw conveyor before it ever reaches the mixer. Whatever you choose, plan the covered storage first.