Multiwall Paper Bag Failure: It’s (Usually) Not the Bag, Baby!
What happens when a multiwall paper bag fails? Typically, the first action that occurs is finger-pointing, from the floor of the customer’s warehouse, all the way up the line. Next come phone calls from aggravated customers. While multiwall paper bag failures are, for the most part, uncommon, it’s critical to understand how failures happen so they don’t get repeated.
When a failure happens, it’s easy to blame a manufacturer’s default. However, other, much more likely possibilities exist. Some of those possibilities include handling, palletizing, and storage conditions at the customer’s site.
Below is a summary of the most common reasons for failure. It just may help you with an upset customer on the other end of the line who needs (and deserves) a more diplomatic response than a quote from Austin Powers: “It’s not my bag, baby!”
Multiwall Industrial Paper Bag Failure: Most Common to Least Common Reasons
Of the many variables that need to be understood about why a multiwall paper bag might fail, two are by far the most common, starting with mishandling and palletizing.
Mishandling and Palletizing
Whether multiple bags fail in the same way or a failure is detected in one bag, it is often due to a physical abnormality in the line or conveyor system. Is there a metal nick on the belt that’s cutting the bags in the same spot? Alternatively, is there an excessive amount of adhesive that has found its way onto the conveyor belt and is tearing the outer ply? Scrutinizing the line often unearths a culprit.
Forklifting: Even experienced forklift operators know it isn’t hard to bump a corner while moving pallets from one location to another. If that’s not the case, check that there is ample space where both filled and empty bags are stored. If a pallet is squeezed into a spot without adequate space, undue force could cause a rupture.
Improper Palletizing and Abrasion: Check to ensure bags are stacked correctly (not interlocked), not hanging over the edge of the pallet, or stacked so high that the bags at the bottom of the stack are strained. Tearing can occur if weight limits are exceeded or there is lateral movement during transport. Improper palletizing can also lead to abrasions that worsen over time.
Next Most Common Reason for Failure: Storage and Environmental Factors
Most multiwall paper bags will last for a decade under normal conditions; this is not a guarantee, but a statement on the typical behavior of multiwall paper bags.
Extreme Heat or Light: Prolonged exposure to direct UV light can compromise the integrity of a paper bag over time. Brittleness of the paper itself and degraded coatings and laminations can result.
One example from our files includes a customer who complained about “brittle paper” that had led to a tear. We learned that the bags are stored outside in an extremely hot climate and in direct sunlight for extended periods (months). In this case, the problem was solved with the construction of a simple shade structure.
Moisture: Paper’s hydrophilic properties (retaining moisture) make it susceptible to damage from damp floors, leaky roofs, or prolonged humidity. This can reduce its tear and burst strength and increase its rigidity, ultimately lessening the stress load it can bear.
Least Common Reason for Failure: Manufacturing Defects
Despite quality control measures and strict industry standards, manufacturing defects occasionally still occur. Weak seams, faulty valves, or flaws in the paper-making process appear like an unwanted neighbor at a holiday party, even though you made your best effort to keep it under wraps. Other times, incorrect specifications applied during construction may be at fault.
If you encounter an issue with a multiwall paper bag, it’s crucial to ask questions that pinpoint the problem rather than assuming a defect. Ask questions directly to the people using the bags in the plant (not just the purchasing department, where the complaint is relayed to).
Material Motion for Multiwall Industrial Paper Bag Solutions
Multiwall paper bags are a top choice on the market today for industrial packaging, for their robustness, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability options. And, they offer a solution that keeps pace with evolving materials technology.
Do you have questions about multiwall industrial paper bags, or are you ready to receive a sample for in-house testing? Contact a Material Motion representative at inquiry@materialmotion.com.