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Christeyns UK is part of the Christeyns group, based in Ghent, Belgium. Its principal focus is the manufacture and supply of detergents, supporting hygiene chemicals and equipment for the commercial laundry sector and the food, beverage and dairy industries across the UK, with an additional focus on manufacturing chemicals for the construction sector.

Thermoplastic tanks

Chem Resist began a major project with Christeyns UK at their manufacturing site in Bradford during summer 2019 to provide 5 new thermoplastic storage tanks; 4 to replace existing aged chemical storage tanks and 1 additional 100,000 litre water storage tank to increase water availability on site.

To support customer and market growth, the new tanks needed to provide increased storage capacity, however, space at the Bradford site dictated that the tanks must sit within the same footprint. Building tall was the only option!

Using Chem Resist’s advanced spiral-winding manufacturing methods, the 4 replacement tanks were each made to a height of over 9 meters, providing Christeyns with over 60% increased capacity to almost 240,000 litres across the 4 tanks. The tank design was also improved with the inclusion of an integrated bund and comprehensive steelwork, thus providing protection and safety for the environment and operatives.

The complex project also demanded the old tanks be removed, a phase which began in January 2020. Two of the old tanks were thermoplastic and could be recycled under Chem Resists sustainability program, in partnership with a specialist plastic processing and recycling company.

The installation of the new tanks began in March 2020, subsequently 3 tanks have been successfully installed during the lockdown restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was essential the project progressed as Christeyns is a key supplier to the Healthcare and Cleaning sectors; so Chem Resist and Christeyns worked hand-in-hand to observe the social distancing measures put in place by the UK Government and also identify flexible solutions, such as working at weekends when the site was quieter.

Gary Smith, Sales Director at Chem Resist commented, “The project at Christeyns was a challenging and complex one. They were already aware of the high-standards of our manufacturing methods from the sodium hydroxide storage tank we’d previously installed at Bradford, but the replacement tanks were tall and required detailed engineering, coupled with careful handling and transport. Even before Covid-19, we’d encountered bad weather with high winds which meant we needed to work in partnership with Christeyns to come up with solutions to complete the project on time and on budget.”

Neville Kildunne, Works Manager at Christeyns added, “It was essential to replace our existing storage tanks, both to provide a better service to our customers but also to maintain our sustainable and environmental goals. Chem Resist provided the ideal solution with their nine metre tanks and due to a joint effort from staff members of both companies, the job was successfully completed on time and on budget, whilst also adhering to the additional measures in place due to lockdown. A first-class effort from a first-class company, I look forward to working with them again in the future”.

This investment in new holding tanks will help to ensure Christeyns’ Bradford site is future proof and ready to deal with the challenges that a post-lockdown Britain will bring, supplying customers with essential chemicals and meeting delivery deadlines.