Customer story
Cargill: ‘With the new stainless steel storage tanks, we now have a reliable and future-proof tank farm’
Gpi Tanks supplies 7 stainless steel storage tanks
Cargill Bioindustrial B.V. in Gouda specializes in producing biobased ingredients for industrial applications, such as lubricants, coatings, plastics, and cleaning agents. The factory plays a key role in Cargill’s bioindustrial division and supplies a wide range of products based on natural raw materials. To further expand production capacity, prepare for growing market demand, and replace outdated installations, Cargill decided to install seven new stainless steel storage tanks.
Jan de Jong, Mechanical Engineer at Cargill Gouda, was involved in the project from start to finish and shares how it all began: ‘There was a growing demand within our production process for a specific fatty acid product. To meet this demand, we needed to increase production capacity. This fatty acid passes through several process stages in our factory and requires intermediate storage during processing. To realise this expansion, we needed several new storage tanks in varying sizes.’
Choosing Gpi
Jan explains why Gpi was chosen: ‘Gpi is actually always on our radar because over the past few years, we’ve already ordered several tanks from you. Of course, with each project, we always compare several suppliers before making a final decision. We’ve had good experiences with Gpi in the past, including the recent delivery of two 500 m³ tanks. In this case, it was also important that the supplier could transport the tanks by water due to their size, which already ruled out several other suppliers. After sending out requests, we always conduct a detailed comparison of the quotations. Lead time was a key factor in this project because we wanted to put the tanks into operation as soon as possible. Although other suppliers seemed slightly more favorable in terms of planning, our previous positive experiences with Gpi made the difference. In close consultation with our purchasing department, we confidently chose Gpi again.’
The project
The project involved the complete engineering, manufacturing, and transport of seven stainless steel tanks for the storage of a product typically used in cosmetics, lubricants, and plastic additives. This included three tanks of 80 m³, one of 255 m³, and three of 500 m³. The three 80 m³ tanks replaced old, decommissioned storage tanks. Jan explains: ‘The old tanks consisted of two compartments and dated back to the late 1960s. They had already been decommissioned for some time and could no longer be used in production.’ The 255 m³ tank was a completely new addition to the existing storage capacity. As Gpi had already delivered two identical tanks to this location in 2016, the design matched perfectly.
The three 500 m³ tanks also replaced outdated steel storage tanks, one of which had already been decommissioned. Back in 2022, Gpi also supplied two similar tanks for this facility. These three tanks were equipped with a Foamglas base and bitumen levelling layer. All tanks were insulated and fitted with heating coils for optimal temperature control, and were tested with potable water prior to delivery to ensure quality and safety. With these replacements and expansions, Cargill not only increased its storage capacity but also improved the reliability and future-readiness of the Gouda site.
Transport and installation
The transport and installation of the tanks were the most challenging parts of this project, especially the replacement of the old tanks. Jan explains: ‘The old tanks had to be carefully dismantled and demolished, along with the complete pipework, which had to be fully realigned and reconnected. This process had to be carried out step-by-step while production continued. Tight coordination with production was crucial, allowing us to temporarily shut down the pipes, test them, and then safely put them back into operation.’
The three 500 m³ tanks and the 255 m³ tank were transported to Cargill’s Gouda site via waterways, while the three smaller 80 m³ tanks were transported by road.
The 500 m³ tanks arrived via the IJssel river and were positioned at their final location from a pontoon using multiple cranes and trucks. ‘It was a challenging project,’ says Jan. ‘Not just because of the many steps required to place the tanks, but also because we had to consider weather conditions. Fortunately, everything went very smoothly in the end.’
The 255 m³ tank was transported via the Nieuwe Gouwe canal. Before it could be unloaded, some houseboats in the harbor area had to be temporarily relocated. ‘There are several houseboats in the harbor. To dock the pontoon, they had to be moved temporarily. Thankfully, this went without any problems, and we were able to lift this tank into place quite easily as well.’ The process was simpler for the three 80 m³ tanks: these were transported by truck to the site and lifted directly into position by crane.
About the collaboration and the result
Jan looks back positively on the collaboration with Gpi: ‘Because we’ve had a good working relationship for years, we know what to expect from each other. This project also went smoothly: short lines of communication, people are easy to reach, and issues are quickly addressed by both sides. I’m very satisfied with how this project went and can definitely recommend Gpi for future projects.’ With the delivery of seven stainless steel storage tanks, Cargill’s tank farm has been renewed and production capacity can now be expanded. Mechanical engineer Jan is enthusiastic about the arrival of the new tanks: ‘Thanks to the larger capacity of the new tanks, we can increase production and work more efficiently. Additionally, we’ve replaced several old, decommissioned tanks, which means we’re now well-prepared for the coming years with a reliable and future-proof tank farm.’
