February 2, 2026 [Concrete Canvas] – Protecting critical infrastructure using innovative materials. No matter where we are in the world, when considering the tank storage sector, maintaining asset integrity in terminal facilities is of paramount importance.
As operators manage increasingly aging infrastructure alongside tighter environmental regulation, secondary containment has become a critical safeguard against global environmental disasters.
Today, innovative lining materials are enabling operators to strengthen this second line of defense whilst minimizing construction time, overall contractor burden and long-term maintenance costs when compared to more traditional construction techniques.
Presenting Concrete Canvas’ Webinar Series:
Upgrading Secondary Containment at Tank Terminals
1) The rising importance of secondary containment
Secondary containment plays a vital role when primary containment systems fail, helping to prevent uncontrolled releases and limiting environmental impact. In tank storage terminals, handling hazardous or volatile substances, this additional layer of protection is essential – not only for regulatory compliance, but also for safeguarding people, surrounding areas and the local ecosystem.
With greater scrutiny on environmental performance and the impact of petrochemical facilities on their surroundings, operators are increasingly investing in more robust containment strategies. This shift, combined with evolving legislation, has driven demand for solutions that deliver improved performance while remaining flexible, quick to install and cost effective.
2) Containment solutions and regional challenges
Common forms of secondary containment include bunds, drip trays, double-skinned tanks and sumps. Of these, bunds remain the most widely used solution around permanent storage tanks, constructed from various materials ranging from local earth fill through to reinforced concrete or steel. Regional preferences vary significantly, influenced by local regulations, ground conditions and the age of infrastructure.
Darren Hughes, International Business Development Manager at Concrete Canvas, notes that infrastructure age is a key factor shaping containment strategies – particularly in Europe.
“Europe is home to some of the world’s largest tank storage hubs, but also some of its earliest established infrastructure. Compared to regions such as Far-east Asia, where reinforced concrete vertical bund walls are common, many European facilities still rely heavily on trapezoidal earth bunds which are allowed to vegetate, generally with grass. Bringing these sites up to modern standards will be a significant undertaking, due to the sheer scale and number of them, but something that must be seriously considered moving forward.”
As regulatory frameworks become clearer and more demanding, operators are under increasing pressure to upgrade legacy containment systems. According to Hughes, many have delayed investment while awaiting regulatory certainty—but that window for action is starting to close.“
3) Concrete on a roll: redefining containment performance
Concrete Canvas’ Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats (GCCMs) are flexible, concrete filled geosynthetics which harden to form a thin durable concrete layer when hydrated providing a lower carbon alternative to conventional concrete lined earth bunds, particularly where speed of installation, low-permeability and durability are essential. First deployed for secondary containment over a decade ago, the system is now widely recognised for its ability to enhance protection around hazardous liquid storage without the challenges associated with traditional civil engineering solutions around sensitive infrastructure.
Overcoming initial scepticism was a key challenge. The petrochemical industry is understandably cautious, with long-established reliance on conventional concrete and earth structures.
“People knew traditional solutions worked, so introducing a new material required us to build credibility,” Hughes explains. “Once operators understood the performance benefits and practical benefits for installation, acceptance quickly followed.”
Presenting Concrete Canvas’ Webinar Series:
Upgrading Secondary Containment at Tank Terminals
4) Reducing lifecycle cost and operational disruption
One of the defining advantages of Concrete Canvas secondary containment systems is their impact on whole-life cost. Earth bunds, for example, require ongoing maintenance due to erosion, vegetation growth, weathering and animal attack from rabbits, etc. Traditional concrete structures, meanwhile, are labour-intensive to install and vulnerable to cracking where ground movement is observed—particularly in coastal or riverside locations where tank storage facilities are often situated.
Concrete Canvas addresses these issues by offering a rapidly deployable system that requires minimal plant and equipment. Installation can be completed in a fraction of the time required for conventional methods, helping operators reduce downtime, minimise the contractor burden and maintain continuity of operations.
5) A resilient approach to future containment
As the petrochemical sector continues to prioritise environmental protection, safety and asset integrity, secondary containment solutions must evolve accordingly. By combining high performance with speed, flexibility and durability, innovative materials such as Concrete Canvas’ GCCM are enabling operators to reinforce tank storage infrastructure while meeting modern regulatory and operational demands.
In doing so, secondary containment is no longer viewed simply as a compliance requirement, but as a strategic investment in the long-term resilience and value of critical assets.
