Bulk Distributor Sept/Oct 17 | Page 9

B ULK D ISTRIBUTOR Depot Services September/October 2017 9 Fresh Hamm TTC adds IBC cleaning L anfer Logistik is a well-known bulk logistics operator in Germany and across Western Europe. The firm offers chemical and food transport services and is also active in the tank cleaning business. Cleaning facilities are situated at the firm’s headquarters in Meppen, as well as in Frankenthal, Salzbergen and Hamm, all under the name of HeLa Tankwagenreinigung. In 2016, Gröninger received an order to modernise the tank cleaning plant in Hamm. This turnkey project included not only the cleaning systems but also the steam boiler, air purification and waste water treatment systems. Now complete the two new cleaning bays have five rotor jets each and are designed to clean road tankers and ISO tank containers. For the interior and exterior cleaning of IBCs a separate cleaning bay was established. With the new facilities HeLa is fully equipped to clean tanks efficiently and effectively, while also keeping an eye on environmental issues. Modern, intelligent technology enables recovery of heat from the waste water and the boiler exhaust gases. Pressure and temperature of the cleaning water can be selected based on the product residue and level of contamination in the tank. This guarantees the optimum wash program is selected for the cleaning process. T TC, a tank cleaning facility in Cologne, Germany, has added certified cleaning of IBC and ASF containers to its services. Residual material disposal, maintenance and repair are included. “On request, we also test the sterility of the containers and carry out the periodic inspection required for the transport of hazardous materials,” managing director Ulrich Bresser said. After the work is completed, all documentation and certificates are forwarded directly to the customer’s warehouse or disposition. TTC has also put in place a new sandblasting system, specifically designed for MDI containers with a riser. It is used to clean dome and hose boxes or to remove residues of cement, gypsum or limestone from silos. The waste water is collected, buffered and circulated to create a homogenous mixture. After the heat has been recovered the waste water is further cleaned using dissolved air flotation (DAF) technology. The water is then suitable for discharging into the communal waste water system. Sediment from the waste water is de-watered using a centrifuge, before shipment to an external incineration plant. Steam from the new boiler, allows tanks to be both cleaned and heated. This can be done using either hot water or direct steam. In addition, strict temperature control ensures the right heating operations at night and over weekends. Elsewhere, a request from food processing company Walter Rau led Gröninger to design a special food grade DryPack. The unit is designed to dry IBCs before they are refilled with Lanfer Logistik runs a number of depots in Germany. Gröninger has modernised the tank cleaning plant in Hamm cargoes like vegetable oils. The components used are specifically selected and predominantly made of stainless steel 304/316 and food grade plastics. A food grade F7 filter and lubricants complete the configuration. The unit was built in a 20ft box container for plug-and-play installation at the customer site. As Germany is such an important market for its cleaning systems, Gröninger strengthened its footprint in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Marco Newiger joined the Gröninger team in July, being responsible for sales, project management support in the three countries as account manager tank cleaning & industry. Newiger has been active for other system integrators before and most recently worked for a large multinational in the field of cleaning systems and tank cleaning. He is based Norderstedt near Hamburg: www.groninger.eu ĐƟǀĞYƵĂůĂ Q uala has been busy in recent months. The America tanker and tank container cleaning specialist finalised major renovations at its Beaumont, Texas facility. The work includes new, open customer office space in addition to significant upgrades of the facility’s equipment which enable full wash, steam, and flare capabilities. “Upgrading our facility in Beaumont supports Quala’s overall growth strategy of diversifying and enhancing our capabilities to serve a growing market,” said Eric Speiser, vice-president of sales & marketing. “These renovations will provide options which were previously unavailable in the Beaumont area.” In addition to new office space and operational capabilities, the renovations include a remodelled drivers’ lounge and a large expansion of secured tenant parking. In Chicago, the group has added Cargill’s Sweetener Certification to its food grade wash services. The Cargill certified washes include services for both liquid sweetener and dry bulk sweetener cleaning. The new certification accompanies the Chicago facilities’ existing ADM, Diageo, and Kosher approvals. “Adding the Cargill Sweetener Certification to our foodgrade services in the Midwest will prove valuable to our existing and prospective customers,” Speiser added. “We’re extremely proud to have earned this certification. The approval of Cargill is an affirmation that Quala is continuing to meet the highest standards in the industry.” Meanwhile, Quala is continuing on the acquisition trail. At the start of summer it bought Alpha Technical Services (ATS). Operating from a 23 acre facility in Pasadena, Texas, ATS offers container cleaning solutions for both hazardous and non-hazardous bulk containers, specialising in difficult to clean products in railcars, tank trailers, and ISO tanks. ATS complements its cleaning capabilities with full-service railcar maintenance and environmental service divisions. Mike Bauer, Quala CEO said of the purchase: “By adding ATS and its experienced management team we have expanded our position in railcar and specialty cleaning. This acquisition will allow Quala to use and expand the current ATS tank trailer cleaning capabilities. “ATS is the perfect catalyst to support Quala in expanding our railcar service