15-04-2025
Proud of our partnership with ForFarmers during their challenging silo renovation in Deventer!
At the heart of the ForFarmers factory in Deventer, a team faced an extraordinary challenge: replacing a 40-year-old indoor silo in the middle of an operational production process. A complex operation that was not only technically challenging but also required strict safety measures. As a specialist in high-quality composite storage solutions, Polem was proud to be part of this project.
The challenge: renovating in a 'high-risk area'
The silo that needed renovation was located in the raw materials block, in the middle of the production process. What made this job particularly complex was that the silo was used for the temporary storage of warm and moist 'startup product' - a flammable material with residues remaining in the silo. Moreover, a floor and a roof extension rested on the silo.
According to the inspection by a certified mill builder, the 40-year-old silo showed clear signs of wear due to the abrasive action of the product. Additionally, the combination of heat and moisture had caused corrosion formation under the coating.
The solution: seamless composite silos
After careful consideration, ForFarmers decided not to replace the silo walls but opted for a more innovative approach: placing round polyester silos within the framework of the existing square silo. To make this possible, an opening was made in the facade through which the round silo parts could be brought in one by one.
"The fact that polyester is more resistant to corrosion under the influence of heat and moisture than steel needs no explanation," says Harry Tragter, plant manager at ForFarmers. "But there are more arguments in favor of smaller polyester silos. Instead of one silo, there are now four silos available. This expansion offers great operational advantages. The total storage capacity is somewhat smaller, but the extra silos offer much more flexibility."
Safety as top priority
At ForFarmers, safety is always the top priority. Specific safety measures were taken for this project, including:
- Thorough cleaning of the silo and silo walls
- Avoiding 'hot work activities' such as welding where possible
- Application of water atomization where necessary
- Organization of safety supervision and engagement of a fire watch
- Temporary production stops during high-risk activities
Roeland Dinkelman, technical team leader at ForFarmers, emphasizes the importance of these measures: "Various preventive measures and different activities were necessary for the safe execution of the project, including the preparation of safety analyses and safety plans."
A successful collaboration
The renovation project was a joint effort by ForFarmers, Peree Bouwadvies, Van Mourik Group, and Polem. Thanks to this collaboration and the expertise of ForFarmers' safety team, the complicated project was successfully completed.
Project leader Erik Kuiper of ForFarmers is satisfied with the result: "Valuable experience has been gained with the project, which can be applied again in similar projects within the organization."
Why choose composite silos from Polem?
The choice for our composite silos in this project illustrates the advantages these solutions offer:
- Corrosion resistance: Our silos are resistant to aggressive substances, heat, and moisture
- Seamless construction: No weak spots or risk of leakage
- Long lifespan: Minimal maintenance for decades of use
- Customization possible: Adapted to the specific requirements of your location and processes
- Operational flexibility: Multiple smaller silos offer more storage flexibility
At Polem, we continue to innovate and collaborate with partners like ForFarmers to provide safe, sustainable, and efficient storage solutions for the most challenging situations.
Interested in what Polem can mean for your storage needs? Feel free to contact our market specialists.
