Infrastructure, Networks & Equipment
HDPE Tank Companies
HDPE / PE tank manufacturers for water, chemical, and wastewater service, rotomolded and welded constructions.
This page is a good fit if you need:
- Acid Dosing Systems or Aerated Lagoons, MABR capabilities
- Suppliers with asset maintenance & rehabilitation sector experience
- Providers operating in United Kingdom or Indonesia
- Providers
- 16
- Verified
- 1
- Countries
- 4
Can't find the right fit? Post a brief and let qualified suppliers come to you.
Post a projectHow to choose a hdpe tank provider
Start with providers that clearly operate in your target geography and project footprint.
Look for industry exposure that matches your water challenge, compliance constraints, and deployment context.
Use technologies, service scope, and proof signals to narrow the list before reaching out to suppliers.
Not sure where to start? Our experts can help.
Filter results
Verified providers
1 claimed companies in this category
Country
Industry
Technology
Find a HDPE Tank Provider
Showing 1-16 of 16
16 results from 16 matched providers
HDPE Tank Design: Rotational Moulding, Welded Construction, and Chemical Resistance
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) tanks are manufactured by rotational moulding (rotationally moulded one-piece tanks, 100 L to 30,000 L), butt-welded plate construction (fabricated tanks, 10,000 L to 500,000 L), or blow moulding (small containers up to 1,000 L). Rotationally moulded tanks use LLDPE or MDPE powder at 2 to 6 mm wall thickness; welded tanks use 8 to 20 mm HDPE plate. Wall design follows DVS 2205 (Germany) or ASME RTP-1 for process vessels. Seam welds are hot-gas extrusion welded and tested to DVS 2203-1 by tensile, bend, and creep tests. NSF 61 and WRAS approval is available for potable water grades.
Chemical resistance of HDPE is broad: resistant to most acids (HCl, H2SO4 to 30 percent, HF to 40 percent), alkalis (NaOH to 30 percent), alcohols, and inorganic salts. Not suitable for aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, chlorinated solvents, or strong oxidizing agents (concentrated H2SO4, H2O2 above 30 percent, bleach above 200 mg per L). HDPE has a service temperature of -50 to +60 degrees C continuous; short-term to 80 degrees C. UV stabilization with carbon black (2.5 percent minimum) or UV inhibitor package is essential for outdoor tanks, providing 20-plus years of UV resistance. Anti-oxidant packages must be chemically compatible with stored media - avoid for food-contact and potable applications without NSF clearance.
Vertical cylindrical HDPE tanks require hydrostatic design based on stored liquid density and fill height. For water (SG 1.0) at 3 m fill height, hoop stress at tank base is 14.7 kPa; wall thickness calculation per DVS 2205 requires safety factor of 3.5 to 5 on the short-term yield stress of HDPE (26 MPa). Above 1.2 SG (dense chemicals), wall thickness must be increased proportionally. Tanks above 15,000 L require external stiffening rings (flat-bottom cylindrical design) or are designed as pressurised vessels with different geometry. Installation on a flat, level concrete pad (gradient below 2 percent) is mandatory; differential settlement causes bending stress not accounted for in standard wall design. Cost: 500 L rotationally moulded HDPE tank costs $200 to $500; 50,000 L fabricated HDPE tank costs $20,000 to $60,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chemicals can be stored in HDPE tanks?
HDPE has excellent resistance to: hydrochloric acid (all concentrations), sulphuric acid up to 30 percent, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide up to 30 percent, sodium hypochlorite up to 15 percent (short-term; XLPE or FRP preferred above 12 percent for long-term), alcohols (methanol, ethanol, IPA), ferric chloride, aluminium sulphate, and most inorganic salt solutions. HDPE is not suitable for: benzene, toluene, xylene (aromatic solvents), chloroform, methylene chloride (chlorinated solvents), concentrated nitric acid, fuming sulphuric acid, or acetone above 20 percent. Always consult the resin manufacturer's chemical resistance table for the specific grade and temperature before specifying. Permeation (diffusion of vapour through the wall) must also be considered for volatile organics even when the polymer is broadly resistant.
How long do HDPE tanks last outdoors?
Carbon-black-stabilised HDPE tanks (minimum 2.5 percent carbon black per ASTM D1603) have UV resistance sufficient for 30 to 50 years outdoor service. Non-stabilised natural HDPE degrades visibly (chalking, embrittlement, cracking) within 5 to 10 years of UV exposure. For coastal or industrial-atmosphere environments, HDPE is preferred over steel (zero corrosion) and GRP (maintains impact resistance when cold). Thermal expansion must be accommodated: HDPE coefficient of thermal expansion is 1.2 to 2.0 times 10 to the -4 per degree C (12 times that of steel), so a 10,000 L outdoor tank may grow by 30 to 50 mm over a 30 degrees C temperature swing - pipe connections must use flexible hose or expansion loops.
Can HDPE tanks be repaired if they crack?
Yes. Cracked or damaged HDPE tanks can be repaired by hot-gas extrusion welding using the same HDPE filler rod per DVS 2207-1. The damaged area must be cleaned, dried, and V-grooved before welding. Weld quality should be verified by bend test on a sample coupon. Rotationally moulded tanks are generally more difficult to repair than plate-welded tanks because the wall is thinner and often has variable thickness at moulding. Tank repair is economic up to about 20 percent of replacement cost; larger damage areas or structural wall thinning (below design minimum) warrant replacement. UV-embrittled tanks showing widespread crazing and reduced impact resistance should be replaced in full rather than patched, as localised repair does not address systemic wall degradation.
What is the maximum size of a rotationally moulded HDPE tank?
Rotationally moulded HDPE tanks are manufactured up to approximately 100,000 L (100 m3) for specialist agricultural and water storage applications, but tanks above 30,000 L are uncommon due to mould cost and transport constraints. Most stock tanks range from 100 L to 25,000 L. Above 25,000 L, fabricated (plate-welded) HDPE tanks or GRP are typically more economical. Tank transport logistics: tanks above 3.5 m diameter require abnormal load permits; tanks above 10,000 L may exceed vehicle weight limits for standard delivery and require specialist lifting. Some manufacturers offer knock-down rotationally moulded tanks that assemble on site, allowing larger capacity than transport width permits.
A large agricultural holding in Lincolnshire required 500,000 L of rainwater storage to reduce reliance on an Environment Agency licensed borehole abstraction that was subject to seasonal restriction. The site had limited concrete hardstanding for above-ground tanks and a high water table making below-ground concrete cisterns impractical.
Installed three 150,000 L welded HDPE plate tanks (12 mm wall, DVS 2205 design, installed on compacted hardcore pads with 150 mm concrete base). Tanks were UV-stabilised black HDPE for outdoor service. Inlet calming device and floating offtake to prevent disturbance of any settled solids. First-flush diversion from the barn roof catchment area. HDPE welded bund wall (50 percent of single tank capacity) around the tank group. EA abstraction licence confirmed the rainwater harvest was outside the borehole licence scope.
500,000 L storage installed and operational within 10 weeks. Borehole abstraction reduced by 60 percent in the first year (3 ML per year saved against the 5 ML licence limit). EA confirmed the reduction in abstraction improved summer flow in the adjacent chalk stream. Zero structural issues in 2 years of operation. Total installed cost 85,000 GBP versus 140,000 GBP estimate for three equivalent GRP tanks of the same volume.
Questions to Ask Shortlisted Providers
- 1
Is the tank manufactured to DVS 2205 design code, and can you provide the design calculation confirming wall thickness for our stored liquid density and fill height?
DVS 2205 is the European standard for above-ground HDPE tank design. It specifies safety factors against yield stress and creep under static head, wind load, and thermal expansion. An HDPE tank without a documented DVS 2205 design calculation has no verified structural basis; the wall thickness may be undersized for liquids with SG above 1.0 or for large fill heights.
- 2
What is the UV stabilisation specification (carbon black percentage or UV inhibitor package), and what evidence do you have of outdoor service life at our climate?
HDPE without UV stabilisation degrades visibly within 5 to 10 years outdoors. Carbon black at 2.5 percent minimum per ASTM D1603 is the standard stabiliser for black HDPE tanks. For coloured tanks without carbon black, confirm the UV inhibitor package and accelerated weathering test data. Request case studies from UK outdoor installations in similar climate (rainfall, temperature range, UV exposure).
- 3
What concrete base specification do you require for the tank installation, and what is the maximum allowable differential settlement across the base?
HDPE welded tanks are sensitive to differential settlement because the base plate is the structural bottom of the vessel. A 10 mm differential over 5 m creates bending stress in the wall that is not accounted for in DVS 2205 static design. The tank manufacturer must specify the concrete base flatness and differential settlement tolerance; non-compliant bases void the tank warranty.
- 4
What are the thermal expansion provisions for an outdoor installation, and how should pipe connections be designed to accommodate seasonal movement?
HDPE has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 1.2 to 2.0 x 10-4 per degree C, approximately 12 times that of steel. A 5 m diameter tank in UK outdoor service (-5 to 35 degrees C range) moves 20 to 30 mm laterally and 10 to 15 mm vertically with temperature. Rigid pipe connections will crack or pull loose. Flexible hose or expansion loops at all inlet and outlet connections are mandatory; specify the loop design in the pipe connection drawing.
- 5
What is the weld procedure and how are welds tested, and can you provide a welding procedure specification (WPS) and welder qualification record for DVS 2207-1?
HDPE tank weld quality is the primary structural integrity parameter. DVS 2207-1 specifies hot-gas extrusion welding procedure for HDPE plate above 10 mm. WPS defines preheat, extrusion speed, pressure, and temperature; welder qualification records confirm the individual has been tested to the procedure. Without a documented WPS and welder qualification, the weld quality has no verified basis.
What Drives Cost in This Category
Rotationally moulded HDPE tanks (100 to 25,000 L): 0.15 to 0.80 GBP per litre. Welded HDPE plate tanks (10,000 to 500,000 L): 0.10 to 0.30 GBP per litre. Welded tanks are more economical at volumes above 25,000 L but require on-site fabrication (60 to 80 percent of cost is labour and specialist equipment). Transport of rotationally moulded tanks above 10,000 L requires abnormal load permit, adding 500 to 2,000 GBP per delivery.
Standard HDPE tanks are designed for water (SG 1.0). For liquids with SG above 1.1 (ferric sulphate, brine, sugar solutions), wall thickness must be increased proportionally, adding 10 to 25 percent to material cost. For SG above 1.5 (concentrated acids), standard HDPE design approaches structural limits and GRP or stainless steel is typically more cost-effective for large volumes.
A 150,000 L HDPE tank (5 m diameter) requires a concrete base of 100 to 150 mm thickness with reinforcement, ground preparation, and levelling: typically 8,000 to 20,000 GBP. On sites with poor ground bearing capacity (made ground, soft clay), piled foundations may be required, adding 20,000 to 80,000 GBP and a geotechnical investigation cost of 5,000 to 15,000 GBP. Ground investigation before tank specification is strongly recommended for sites with known poor ground.
HDPE welded bunding is the most chemically compatible containment for HDPE tanks storing aggressive chemicals. HDPE bund wall (100 to 200 mm thick) adds 300 to 600 GBP per m2 of bund floor area. For standard water or rainwater storage, a concrete or paved bund with impermeable membrane lining is adequate and 30 to 50 percent cheaper than welded HDPE. EA PPG 2 guidance applies for all above-ground liquid storage above 200 L.
Key Regulations & Standards
DVS 2205 is the German and internationally recognised design standard for above-ground polyethylene tanks. It specifies safety factors (typically 3.5 against short-term yield stress, 5 against long-term creep) for hydrostatic wall design, nozzle reinforcement calculations, and wind and seismic loading requirements. UK water company and industrial procurement for above-ground HDPE tanks should reference DVS 2205 as the minimum design standard.
The Environment Agency's Pollution Prevention Guidance Note 2 (Above-Ground Oil Storage) applies to above-ground tanks holding substances that could cause water pollution. For chemical tanks (ferric sulphate, aluminium sulphate, NaOH, hypochlorite) at water treatment sites, bunding to hold 110 percent of largest tank volume (or 25 percent of total) is required. HDPE tanks with HDPE bund construction are specifically acceptable under PPG 2 where chemical resistance is demonstrated.
HDPE tanks storing chemicals that will subsequently dose into drinking water supply must use resin grades that will not contaminate the stored chemical with extractable compounds above WS(WQ)R 2016 limits. NSF/ANSI 60 certification (for treatment chemicals) or WRAS approval is required for tanks storing alum, ferric sulphate, lime, or sodium hypochlorite destined for potable water treatment. DWI Approved Products Guidance lists acceptable materials.
HDPE tanks at water treatment works storing hazardous chemicals (sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, ferric chloride, ferrous sulphate) require a COSHH assessment under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. The assessment must address: exposure to chemical vapours during tank filling and venting, emergency spill response, PPE requirements for routine tank inspection and maintenance, and emergency eyewash and safety shower provisions within 10 seconds of any task involving direct chemical contact.
Explore Related Categories
Related Tank Materials
Plastic Pipework
Browse the full provider directory
Comparing hdpe tank companies is one slice of a larger shortlisting decision. Explore the complete directory of industrial water treatment companies, then filter by region, sector, and technology before you request scoped proposals.
Open the directory