Outokumpu, with locations in Canada, USA, Mexico and South America, delivered one of the largest orders for tank building – 245 tons of Forta LDX 2101 lean duplex stainless steel – for the construction of three big oil storage tanks at the Antwerp harbor in Belgium, which have recently been put into service.
Each storage tank has a capacity of 4,200 m3, with an expected service life of 50 to 60 years. The use of Forta LDX 2101, with inherent qualities of stainless steel, makes the tanks virtually maintenance free and the strength of duplex stainless steel allows for material and fabrication cost savings and offers good corrosion resistance. The construction of the tanks is run by company Ivens, which specializes in building and renovation of tanks for the storage of chemicals and fuels with 85 years of experience in construction with different types of materials.
Forta LDX 2101 lean duplex grade is developed and patented by Outokumpu and it has a low nickel content of only 1.5%. It can well compete in price with carbon steel tanks when the life cycle cost is taken into account. Forta LDX 2101 is increasingly becoming the material of choice also in the construction of storage tanks for pulp, chemicals, biofuels, beverages, grains, and ore slurry.