As a logistics solutions provider with experts in various disciplines in its own ranks, including engineers and chemists, and with strong partners at its side worldwide, the Hoyer Group accepts challenging problems brought to it by customers. For them, the company constantly develops the best possible logistics solutions, on which its role as an innovations leader in the market is based.
The two new titanium tank containers were developed and built specifically to transport molten MCA (monochloroacetic acid). The Hoyer Group leases the containers to a chemical industry customer with worldwide operations, for which it transports the highly corrosive product at elevated temperature. Because conventional rubberised or coated stainless steel tank containers do not withstand the product requirements and transport conditions, Hoyer developed a customised solution made of titanium.
Hans Demarest, engineering director of the Hoyer Group at its headquarter in Hamburg, says: “Corrosive dangerous goods are among the most challenging products from the logistics point of view. Managing the supply chain on the manufacturer’s side, maintaining optimum transport conditions and delivery to the end customers on the haulier’s side require special know-how and experience.”
Attaching the titanium tank to the stainless steel frame was a challenge for the project team, because normally the two construction materials cannot be bonded together due to their properties. Together with well-known manufacturers, Hoyer found a new way to successfully combine the tank bodies with the frame. Another key component is the specially-developed heating system with Ex approval, which ensures that the required cargo temperature is maintained until it is unloaded. Like all the Hoyer Group’s newly-built tank containers, the two new acquisitions are also equipped with Smart Technology.
Titanium is not only resistant to corrosive products. Its durability is another of the metal’s positive aspects. “In Hoyer, we already included the first titanium tank containers into our fleet 30 years ago. The three units from the early days are still in use up to the present time.” This also justifies their considerably higher procurement price.
For this project, Hoyer Group worked hand-in-hand with an external tank container manufacturer and a renowned producer of titanium vessels. Their long years of experience and extensive know-how contributed to the development of an optimum solution. Hoyer’s project team prepared the tank container specifications, controlled the entire production operation from planning to delivery, and were responsible for continuous quality assurance. Its experts are also the first point of contact for technical advice.