Infrastructure, Networks & Equipment
Tank Coating & Lining Companies
Epoxy, polyurea, rubber, and glass-flake coating applicators extending the life of steel and concrete water assets.
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
- 17
- Verified
- 1
- Countries
- 3
Can't find the right fit? Post a brief and let qualified suppliers come to you.
Post a projectHow to choose a tank coating & lining 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 Tank Coating & Lining Provider
Showing 1-17 of 17
17 results from 17 matched providers
Tank Coating and Lining Systems: Epoxy, Rubber, and Glass-Fused Steel for Water Storage
Internal coatings and linings protect water storage tanks and vessels from corrosion, provide hygienic food-grade surfaces, and extend service life by isolating the tank material from stored water or process fluid. System selection depends on the substrate (carbon steel, concrete, GRP), the stored fluid (potable water, wastewater, chemicals, hydrocarbons), operating conditions (temperature, pressure, cyclic loading), and the required service life. For potable water: all internal coating materials must meet DWI (Drinking Water Inspectorate) Regulation 31 approval (England/Wales), WRAS approval, and in Scotland, WATS (Water Authority Technical Specification). These approvals require materials to be tested per BS 6920 (extraction testing at 20 degrees C, 50 degrees C, and 70 degrees C) to confirm they do not leach substances affecting water taste, odour, or health at the concentrations leached. Key coating system types: fusion-bonded epoxy (FBE, electrostatic spray, 250 to 400 micron DFT); liquid-applied epoxy (2-component, 200 to 500 micron DFT, multiple coats); glass-fused-to-steel (GFS, vitreous enamel fused at 820 to 840 degrees C, 0.25 to 0.40 mm fused glass layer); cementitious mortar lining (sprayed or hand-applied, 10 to 20 mm, used for larger diameter steel pipelines and tanks).
Glass-fused-to-steel (GFS) technology is widely used for bolted steel water tanks (potable storage, wastewater, biogas digesters). GFS process: steel panels (typically 3 to 5 mm S275/S355) are hot-dipped in frit (crushed glass mixed with clay and metal oxides), fired at 820 to 840 degrees C, fusing a 0.25 to 0.40 mm glassy enamel layer onto both surfaces; the glass layer is inert, hygienic, chemically resistant (pH 3 to 10 indefinitely), and eliminates the need for periodic repainting. Standard: ISO 28765 (Vitreous and porcelain enamels - design and manufacture of plant used in corrosive conditions); US NSF 61 (Drinking Water System Components); AWWA D103 (Factory-Coated Bolted Carbon Steel Tanks for Water Storage). GFS bolted tanks (Tank Connection, ZCL Composites, CST Industries, DN Tanks): panels shipped flat and bolted on-site with EPDM or butyl joint sealant; available 50 to 25,000,000 L; rapid installation (1,000 m3 tank erected in 1 to 2 days vs 3 to 6 months for site-welded tanks); panels replaceable without full tank replacement if localised damage. Service life: 20 to 30 years typical for GFS coated panels in potable water service; external coating (polyurethane or epoxy) protects the external enamel surface.
Rehabilitation and recoating of existing water tanks: the UK water industry undertakes extensive tank rehabilitation programmes due to ageing Victorian and mid-20th century reinforced concrete and steel reservoirs. Concrete reservoir rehabilitation: crack injection (epoxy or cementitious grout); surface scarification and cleaning (high-pressure water jetting at 200 to 700 bar); cement-based coating (micro-silica modified polymer cement, 3 to 6 mm DFT - BASF MasterProtect, Sika Watertight concrete systems, Kryton International KIM admixtures); or polyurea spray lining (Huntsman, Novacoat, BASF, 1.5 to 3 mm DFT, rapid cure). Steel tank recoating: abrasive blast cleaning to Sa 2.5 (ISO 8501-1) minimum; primer and intermediate coats of solvent-free epoxy; topcoat 350 to 500 micron total DFT; inspection by certified inspector (NACE CIP Level 2 or FROSIO III) using DFT gauge (per ISO 2808), holiday detection (DC spark test at 5 to 10 V per micron DFT), and adhesion pull-off test (minimum 3 MPa per ISO 4624). PSSR 2000 and BS 6920 compliance maintained through in-service inspection and recoating before coating failure allows substrate corrosion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What coating is used inside a potable water tank?
Potable water tank coatings must hold DWI Regulation 31 (England/Wales) or WRAS approval, certifying compliance with BS 6920 extraction testing. Approved coating types: (1) Solvent-free epoxy (most common for steel tanks): 2-component epoxy, 300 to 500 micron DFT applied in 2 to 3 coats; DWI-approved products: Jotun Jotatemp, Hempel HEMPADUR, Sherwin-Williams Sher-Glass; requires abrasive blast cleaning to Sa 2.5 before application; recoating interval typically 10 to 20 years; (2) Glass-fused-to-steel (GFS/vitreous enamel): factory applied, DWI/NSF 61 approved; no site-applied coating required; preferred for bolted panel tanks; (3) Fusion-bonded epoxy (FBE): factory-applied for pipes and small vessels; thinner (250 to 400 micron) but very uniform; (4) Cementitious mortar: for concrete tanks and large-diameter concrete-lined steel mains; minimum 10 mm thickness; approved by WRAS; very long service life (30 to 50 years); (5) Polyurea spray: rapid-cure 1.5 to 3 mm membrane; increasing use in concrete reservoir rehabilitation; DWI approval for specific products (confirm before specification). Prohibited: lead-based coatings, coal tar epoxy (prohibited in potable water service per DWI circular 1984), and any coating not holding current BS 6920/WRAS/DWI approval.
How often do water tank coatings need to be replaced?
Service life of water tank coatings depends on coating type, substrate preparation quality, and operating conditions: Solvent-free epoxy (steel tank): 10 to 20 years with good initial surface preparation (Sa 2.5 blast) and correct DFT (300 to 500 micron); coastal or chloride-rich water environments: 8 to 15 years. Glass-fused-to-steel: 20 to 30 years for factory-applied panels in potable water; touch-up of damaged areas (chips from installation) required at 5 to 10 years; full panel replacement at 25 to 35 years. Cementitious mortar (concrete tank): 20 to 40 years for well-applied mortar on sound substrate; dependent on concrete base condition (crack-free and structurally sound). Polyurea: 15 to 25 years claimed; less in-service data than epoxy. Assessment: annual inspection should include visual check for delamination, cracks, blistering; DFT measurement; holiday (pinhole) detection. Recoating threshold: typically when DFT has reduced to less than 50 percent of original or when holidays exceed 1 per m2. UK practice: Ofwat performance commitments track reservoir out-of-service risk; water companies maintain asset data on coating condition and schedule rehabilitation 3 to 5 years ahead of predicted failure to avoid unplanned service interruption.
What is the process for lining a concrete water reservoir?
Concrete reservoir rehabilitation lining process: (1) Inspection and survey: structural survey (CCTV, crack mapping, carbonation depth test with phenolphthalein indicator - pink is alkaline, colourless is carbonated/depassivated); water tightness test; ground investigation if external groundwater present; (2) Dewatering and cleaning: isolate, dewater (portable submersible pumps); clean with high-pressure water jetting 200 to 700 bar to remove biofilm, loose concrete, and surface contamination; (3) Structural repair: crack injection (epoxy for structural cracks; polyurethane foam for active leaking cracks); concrete patch repair with polymer-modified mortar (BASF MasterEmaco, Sika MonoTop); (4) Surface preparation: blast clean or vacuum diamond grind concrete surface to reveal aggregate; minimum 7 to 10 MPa surface tensile strength (pull-off test per ASTM D4541); surface should be saturated surface-dry (SSD) for cementitious coatings or bone-dry for polyurea; (5) Coating application: primer (where specified); base coat; finish coat; DFT measured per ISO 2808; holiday detection; (6) Cure and testing: cure per manufacturer's data sheet (typically 7 to 28 days for cementitious; 24 to 72 hours for polyurea); water soak test and bacteriological sampling before return to service. Typical project duration: 4 to 16 weeks depending on reservoir size and scope; typically scheduled during planned maintenance outage.
What is glass-fused-to-steel (GFS) lining and where is it used?
Glass-fused-to-steel (GFS), also called vitreous enamel or porcelain enamel on steel, is a permanent factory-applied coating where glass frit (powdered glass with metal oxide pigments and adhesion agents) is sprayed or dipped onto steel panels and fired in a furnace at 820 to 840 degrees C; the glass melts, bonds chemically to the steel surface (through an iron-boron bond layer), and solidifies into a smooth, impermeable 0.25 to 0.40 mm glass coating. Properties: pH resistance 1 to 10 (no degradation); inert to potable water, wastewater, biogas, hydrocarbons; smooth surface (Ra less than 1 micron) inhibits biofilm adhesion; UV and weather resistant on external surfaces. Applications: potable water storage tanks (bolted panel type, common in UK, US, Australia); wastewater storage and equalization tanks; anaerobic digester covers and walls (resistant to H2S at greater than 3,000 ppm); industrial chemical storage. Standards: ISO 28765 (vitreous enamel plant); US NSF/ANSI 61 (drinking water components); AWWA D103 (bolted steel tanks, internally GFS-lined). Leading manufacturers: Tank Connection (US), CST Industries (Aquastore tanks), ZCL Composites, DN Tanks (with GFS option), Permastore (UK/international). Advantages over site-applied coatings: factory quality control; no on-site coating (no weather dependency); panels individually tested; damaged panels replaceable without full relining.
A water company in the South West of England had 22 service reservoirs with epoxy-lined carbon steel roofs dating from 1985 to 1996. Coating condition surveys showed 14 reservoirs had coating delamination, rust blistering, or pinhole penetration in more than 15% of the roof surface area, risking iron contamination of the stored potable water. DWI required remediation within 36 months under Regulation 28.
A specialist tank lining contractor assessed all 22 reservoirs using holiday testing, adhesion pull tests, and DFT (dry film thickness) measurement. Six reservoirs with pervasive delamination required full blast cleaning (Sa 2.5 per BS EN ISO 8501-1) and re-lining with two-component epoxy (Jotun Tankguard 412, 300 micron DFT, DWI-approved). Eight reservoirs required spot repair and local overcoat. Eight reservoirs in good condition (DFT above 200 micron, adhesion above 5 MPa, less than 5% defective area) were monitored and deferred. All relining was completed with DWI Regulation 31-approved materials.
All 22 reservoirs were assessed and 14 remediated within 28 months, within the DWI 36-month window. Post-relining holiday testing confirmed zero pinhole defects on all re-lined surfaces. Iron particle complaints in the downstream zones fell by 88% in the following 12 months. DWI confirmed compliance closure at a follow-up inspection. Whole-life cost modelling predicted the new epoxy coatings would deliver 20 to 25 years service life before next major inspection requirement.
Questions to Ask Shortlisted Providers
- 1
What is the current tank material, coating type, age, and condition (DFT, adhesion pull test, holiday test results)?
Coating selection for refurbishment depends on whether the existing system is epoxy, GRP, polyurea, or bitumen; incompatible overcoats cause delamination; tanks with active corrosion require full blast cleaning before any new coating.
- 2
Is the tank used for potable water, wastewater, or chemical storage, and are DWI Regulation 31-approved materials required?
Potable water contact linings must be on the DWI Approved Products List or hold WRAS approval; using non-approved coatings on potable water tanks is a breach of WS(WQ)R 2016 and requires DWI notification and potential remediation.
- 3
What are the surface preparation requirements (blast cleaning standard, minimum anchor profile) and can the tank be decommissioned for the full required preparation period?
Two-part epoxy and polyurea coatings require Sa 2.5 blast cleaning (BS EN ISO 8501-1) to achieve manufacturer-warranted adhesion; wet-on-wet application in humid conditions without dehumidification causes pinhole formation and early delamination.
- 4
What inspection and test plan (ITP) applies to the coating works and who is the qualified inspector (FROSIO Level 3 or equivalent)?
DWI and water company asset standards require independent coating inspection during surface preparation, between coats, and on the finished system; FROSIO Level 3 or NACE CIP Level 2 certification is typically required for the inspector.
- 5
What is the tank back-in-service programme and how will commissioning and disinfection be managed post-coating?
New coatings require a cure period (typically 7 to 14 days at 10 degrees C) before water immersion; BS 8558 commissioning (disinfection, bacteriological sampling) is required before service; the overall programme must ensure supply security to the downstream zone.
What Drives Cost in This Category
Sa 2.5 abrasive blast cleaning (required for new coating on corroded steel) costs GBP 8 to 20 per m2; hand or power tool cleaning (St 3) costs GBP 3 to 8 per m2 but achieves only 50 to 60% of epoxy adhesion compared to blast; access scaffolding or rope access adds GBP 3 to 15 per m2.
Two-component potable water epoxy coatings cost GBP 15 to 35 per m2 installed at 300 micron DFT (two coats); GRP sprayed glass lining costs GBP 25 to 60 per m2; polyurea spray lining costs GBP 40 to 80 per m2; GFS panels as replacement cost GBP 120 to 250 per m2 installed.
Service reservoir decommissioning requires network pressure management and alternative supply; temporary storage (tankers, flexible bladder tanks) costs GBP 2,000 to 8,000 per day for large reservoirs; programme planning to minimise decommissioned period is the primary cost driver.
DWI Regulation 28 notification and Regulation 31 approval documentation costs GBP 500 to 2,500 in administrative time; BS 8558 disinfection and bacteriological sampling costs GBP 1,500 to 5,000 per reservoir; failed bacteriological results require repeat disinfection and additional programme time.
Key Regulations & Standards
All materials in contact with potable water, including tank linings, coatings, and sealants, must be on the DWI Approved Products List or hold WRAS approval; water companies must notify DWI under Regulation 28 before using non-standard materials.
Specifies disinfection protocol (50 mg/L free chlorine, 1-hour contact), inspection, flushing, and bacteriological sampling requirements before returning a lined tank to potable water service; two consecutive clean samples at 24-hour intervals required.
Defines blast cleaning standards Sa 1, Sa 2, Sa 2.5, Sa 3 and hand tool standard St 2, St 3; coating manufacturers specify minimum preparation grade in their product data sheet; Sa 2.5 is the minimum for submerged potable water epoxy coatings in UK water industry practice.
WRAS approval (BS 6920) is required for coatings and linings used in potable water contact; approval is product-specific and must be confirmed by the coating manufacturer for each specific formulation; generic material approval does not extend to unregistered variants.
Explore Related Categories
Tank & Vessel Manufacturing
Related Containment
Browse the full provider directory
Comparing tank coating & lining companies is one slice of a larger shortlisting decision. Explore the complete directory of wastewater treatment companies, then filter by region, sector, and technology before you request scoped proposals.
Open the directory















