Confronting Corrosion
“Hot-dip galvanized steel is considered the best choice to withstand the natural environment” –AGI Hi-Roller
In 2018, Evrovneshtorg (EVT) opened a new grain port terminal in Mykolayiv, Ukraine. Bordering the Black Sea, the terminal serves as a strategic terminal for Ukraine’s grain trade, connecting the region’s main traffic and rail routes to the port. The terminal saw over 1.5 million metric tons of cargo in 2019.
The EVT terminal hit its capacity and required an expansion to keep up with demand. Valmont Coatings contracted AGI Hi-Roller to supply 20 grain silos for this project. With a combined capacity of 124,725 MT, the new silos would double the terminal’s capacity. AGI presented the benefit of an enclosed belt conveyor system as a gentle and efficient method of handling and moving commodities around the terminal. The final plans would include the installation for nine enclosed conveyors totaling 925 meters that would be used for both filling and reclaiming grain.
Painted coatings can be easily damaged during transport. Damage creates voids in protection, making the equipment susceptible to rust and flaking, both of which are unacceptable in food handling. As a result, owners would need to enforce a strict maintenance schedule and touch-up scratches. Therefore, AGI galvanized the steel used in its conveyor systems and trunking due to its superior performance in harsh environments.
The success of this project relied on on-time delivery, requiring extensive planning. All shippers had a strict deadline for the containers to arrive at the shipping dock in time for loading. Quality galvanizing was integral in keeping material safe from the harsh environmental conditions. Valmont Coatings also offers customers a digital product tracking system equipped with real-time order status notifications. This tool was valuable as it allowed AGI to track orders from drop-off through delivery so they could schedule loads to meet the timeline.