Products can be packed correctly and still become damaged during transportation. One common reason is movement between complete cargo units.
When suitable empty spaces remain between pallets, cartons or other packaged goods, cargo may shift during braking, acceleration, cornering, container handling or movement at sea.
– Inflatable Dunnage Bags can be positioned inside suitable voids to cushion loads and help restrict movement during transportation.
Eltete Malaysia provides inflatable Dunnage Bags for cargo securing applications involving containers, trailers, trains and ships. But there is no single Dunnage Bag that is best for every shipment. The correct solution depends on the actual cargo, void size, weight, surrounding surfaces and transportation conditions.
1 – What Is an Inflatable Dunnage Bag ?
– An inflatable Dunnage Bag is a cargo-securing component placed between suitable cargo units. The bag is positioned while uninflated and then filled with air. As it expands, it occupies the available space between the loads.
– Eltete describes Dunnage Bags as inflatable cushions that help:
– Fill unused space
– Restrict cargo movement
– Cushion loads against impact
– Support cargo positioning
– Reduce the risk of loads shifting or collapsing
– Eltete’s PROSAK Dunnage Bags are intended for applications including containers, trucks, trains and ships.
2 – Why Are Empty Spaces a Problem?
– A shipment may appear stable when it leaves the warehouse.
– Transportation changes that.
– A truck may brake suddenly.
– A container may be lifted.
– A vehicle may turn.
– A ship may experience movement at sea.
– If there is enough empty space between cargo units, the load may move into that space.
This movement can cause:
– Pallets to shift
– Cartons to collide
– Products to lean
– Loads to lose stability
– Packaging to receive additional impact
– Eltete therefore recommends considering cargo securing as part of the complete transport packaging arrangement rather than treating the individual carton or pallet as the only area requiring protection.
Q – How Do Eltete Dunnage Bags Work ?
A – The process is relatively simple.
1. Identify the Suitable Void
– First determine where cargo movement needs to be controlled. The void must be suitable for the selected Dunnage Bag.
2. Position the Bag
– The uninflated bag is inserted between the cargo units.
3. Inflate the Bag
– Air is introduced through the valve. The bag expands until it fills the selected space according to the required application.
4. The Bag Supports the Load Arrangement
– Once correctly positioned, the inflated bag creates a cushion between the surrounding cargo units. This helps reduce uncontrolled movement and impact during transport.
Q – How Do You Choose the Right Dunnage Bag ?
A – Choosing a Dunnage Bag should not start with price alone. Several factors should be considered.
1. Measure the Void Size
– The first question is:
Q – How large is the empty space between the cargo units ?
A – A Dunnage Bag must be suitable for the available gap. If the bag is too small, it may not adequately fill the space. If the application falls outside the approved bag dimensions, a different cargo-securing solution may be required. Eltete offers different Dunnage Bag sizes and strengths and recommends selecting the appropriate option according to the cargo arrangement.
2. Consider the Cargo Weight
– A light carton load and a heavy industrial load do not place the same demand on a securing system. The total cargo weight and how that weight is distributed should therefore be considered.
– Eltete identifies cargo weight and weight distribution among the factors that should be reviewed when selecting a container load-securing arrangement. Do not assume that a larger bag automatically means a stronger or more suitable solution. The complete application must be evaluated.
3. Check the Transport Method
– Different transport methods expose cargo to different movements.
Eltete identifies Dunnage Bag applications for:
1 – Containers
– Used to manage suitable spaces between cargo units.
2 – Trailers and trucks
– Used as part of suitable road-transport securing arrangements.
3 – Trains
– Used where cargo movement must be controlled during rail transportation.
4 – Ships
– Used as part of suitable marine cargo-securing arrangements.
– The correct solution should therefore reflect the actual journey.
5 – Examine the Cargo Surface
– The surfaces around a Dunnage Bag matter. Sharp edges, unsuitable surfaces or other conditions can damage an inflatable bag. Eltete notes that another securing solution may be required when surrounding cargo surfaces could puncture the bag or cannot safely withstand the applied pressure. This means the cargo should be assessed before inflation.
6 – Look at the Complete Load
– A Dunnage Bag does not correct a fundamentally unstable cargo arrangement. If the pallet is poorly stacked, the cartons are weak or the load is already leaning, filling the gap does not solve every problem.
– Eltete specifically positions Dunnage Bags as one part of a complete cargo-protection system. The load itself should first be properly packed, supported and unitised.
4 – Dunnage Bags Do Not Replace Product Packaging
– This distinction is important. A Dunnage Bag protects at the cargo level. It does not replace packaging around the individual product.
– For example, a shipment might use:
Product carton
↓
Honeycomb Board or internal protection
↓
Paper Pallet
↓
Edgeboard
↓
Stretch film or strapping
↓
Dunnage Bags inside the container
– Each component performs a different function.
– Eltete describes the same layered approach in its transport packaging guidance: individual products require their own protection, palletised loads require suitable stability, and Dunnage Bags can then be used at container level to control suitable voids between complete cargo units.
Q – What Are Eltete Dunnage Bags Made From ?
A – Eltete states that its Dunnage Bags use multiple layers of high-strength kraft paper together with an inner plastic lining. The paper structure forms the outer bag, while the inner liner helps maintain air pressure after inflation. This construction allows the bag to function as an inflatable cushion between suitable cargo units. The correct bag strength and specification should still be selected for the actual shipment.
Q – When Should Dunnage Bags Be Considered ?
Dunnage Bags may be useful when:
– Suitable gaps remain between cargo units
– Cargo could move into those gaps
– The surrounding loads can support the intended application
– The bag can be positioned safely
– The transportation conditions are appropriate
– The bag specification matches the cargo and void
– Eltete Malaysia recommends considering factors including cargo dimensions, packaging type, loading pattern, void size, weight distribution and transport conditions.
Q – When Might a Dunnage Bag Not Be the Right Solution?
A – Inflatable Dunnage Bags should not be used blindly.
Eltete notes that another solution may be required when:
– The gap exceeds the suitable bag size
– Sharp surfaces could puncture the bag
– The cargo exceeds the approved application
– The bag cannot be safely positioned
– Surrounding packaging cannot withstand the pressure
– The cargo is fundamentally unstable
– The shipment requires another specialised securing method
– This is why selecting the correct Dunnage Bag is an engineering and packaging decision rather than simply filling any visible empty space.
5 – Dunnage Bags for Container Shipping
– Containers are one of the most common applications.
– A loaded shipping container may contain:
– Palletised cartons
– Industrial components
– Machinery
– Bags
– Consumer products
– Other packaged goods
– Because product dimensions do not always match the internal container space exactly, gaps can remain between cargo units. Suitable Dunnage Bags can be positioned inside these gaps to help stabilise the load. Eltete’s guidance recommends first identifying the appropriate void, positioning the bag and then inflating it according to the application.
6 – Dunnage Bags for Truck and Trailer Shipping
– Cargo movement is not limited to sea freight. Road transportation introduces acceleration, braking, cornering and vibration. Eltete therefore also identifies trailers and trucks as applications for its Dunnage Bags.
– The same principle applies:
– The securing solution should reflect the cargo weight, layout, available voids and actual transport conditions. Dunnage Bags for Malaysian Manufacturers and Exporters
– Malaysia’s manufacturers and exporters move products through domestic and international supply chains using road, container, rail and sea transport. Protecting the product itself is only one part of this process.
– The complete cargo arrangement must also remain appropriately secured during transportation. Eltete Malaysia, based in Puchong, Selangor, provides Dunnage Bags as part of a wider transport packaging portfolio that includes Edgeboard, Paper Pallets, Slip Sheets, Honeycomb Board and other fibre-based packaging solutions.
– Eltete’s Transport Packaging Solutions approach is based on combining suitable packaging components according to the actual product and logistics process rather than assuming that one product solves every transport packaging requirement.
7 – What Is the Best Inflatable Dunnage Bag for Secure Shipping in Malaysia ?
– There is no single Dunnage Bag that is best for every Malaysian shipment.
– The best inflatable Dunnage Bag is the one correctly matched to the cargo weight, void dimensions, surrounding surfaces, transport method and complete securing arrangement.
– Eltete Malaysia provides inflatable Dunnage Bags in different sizes and strengths and can evaluate the requirements of the shipment before a suitable option is selected.
– For manufacturers and exporters, the objective should not be to use the biggest or strongest Dunnage Bag available. The objective is to use the correct bag for the actual cargo application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q – What is an inflatable Dunnage Bag?
A – An inflatable Dunnage Bag is a cargo-securing cushion placed inside a suitable gap between cargo units. Once inflated, it fills the space and helps cushion the surrounding loads and restrict movement.
Q – Does Eltete supply Dunnage Bags in Malaysia?
A – Yes. Eltete Malaysia provides inflatable Dunnage Bags as part of its transport packaging solutions for cargo securing applications. The Malaysia operation is based in Puchong, Selangor and supports Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific markets.
Q – Can Eltete Dunnage Bags be used in containers?
A – Yes. Shipping containers are one of the applications specifically identified by Eltete.
Q – Can Dunnage Bags be used in trucks?
A – Yes. Eltete identifies trucks and trailers among the transport applications for its Dunnage Bags.
Q – Are Dunnage Bags only for sea freight?
A – No. Eltete states that its Dunnage Bags can be used in containers, trucks or trailers, trains and ships.
Q – Do Dunnage Bags replace Edgeboard or pallets ?
A – No. They serve different functions. Edgeboard can help protect and stabilise the palletised load, while a Paper Pallet provides a load platform. Dunnage Bags can then help control suitable spaces between complete cargo units during transportation.
Q – How do I choose the right Dunnage Bag?
A – Consider the cargo weight, void dimensions, loading arrangement, surrounding surfaces, transport method and overall securing requirement. Eltete provides different sizes and strengths for different applications.
Secure the Load, Not Just the Product
Good transport packaging should protect more than the individual carton.
Once products are packed, palletised and loaded into a container or vehicle, the complete cargo arrangement must remain stable during transit.
Eltete inflatable Dunnage Bags can help fill suitable void spaces, cushion cargo and restrict movement in containers, trailers, trains and ships.
For Malaysian manufacturers and exporters, the correct Dunnage Bag should be selected according to the actual shipment rather than treated as a one-size-fits-all product.
