After two years of research, Europoort-based Flaxfield Tank Container Solutions and Wieringerwerf -based Composite Production Technology (CPT) in the Netherlands developed the lightest composite tank containers with high insulation. These containers have been in the market under the Tankwell brand name since 2015, and more than 400 are now in use.

Though composite silos and storage tanks have been around for 40 years, this is the first time composite tank containers are being offered, according to CPT director Casper Willems.

Tankwell promises savings on logistics costs and carbon dioxide emissions. The tanks are one and a half tonnes lighter than the metal ones, so they can carry more product per trip, according to a press release from the Port of Rotterdam.

Flaxfield director Jan van Opstal said due to high insulation value, less energy is lost during cooling or heating of the product and the smooth inside of the tank means less residue after unloading.

Composite tank containers are more expensive to buy than the metal version. (DS)