June 23, 2026 [Storage Terminals Magazine]- Storage terminal operators across Europe face growing pressure to reduce downtime, improve safety and adapt infrastructure for new fuel streams. Tank linings now play a central role in that effort.

Internal inspections remain one of the largest operational disruptions for tank owners. Operators must drain, clean, degas and prepare the tanks for confined-space entry before inspections can begin. If inspectors identify corrosion or mechanical damage, repair work can keep tanks offline for weeks or even months.

That operational impact has pushed the industry toward longer inspection intervals. In many cases, operators can extend inspection cycles from five years to 10 years or longer when they install high-performance reinforced lining systems and maintain them correctly.

Across Europe, operators typically follow EEMUA 159 guidance for aboveground storage tank inspections while relying on API 652 for lining evaluation and lining performance criteria. Although tank construction standards vary by region, API 652 remains the dominant reference for internal linings.

Surface preparation

The ability to extend inspection intervals depends on more than lining thickness or chemical resistance. Surface preparation remains the deciding factor in long-term performance.

Contractors must achieve the correct blast profile and remove contaminants such as soluble salts, dust and moisture before application begins. Even the highest-performing lining system will fail on a poorly prepared surface. Proper inspection oversight during preparation and application remains essential for long-term durability.

When operators apply high-build lining systems correctly, they can significantly reduce maintenance requirements while protecting steel assets against corrosion, chemical attack and operational wear.

Reduce downtime and operational risk

The operational advantages persist. Every internal inspection removes a tank from service. Terminal operators lose storage capacity and revenue while maintenance teams manage cleaning, permitting, vapor freeing and safety procedures. A single inspection can take a tank offline for four to 12 weeks, depending on the scope of repairs. Longer inspection intervals reduce that disruption. They also reduce the safety risks associated with confined-space entry and large-scale maintenance activities.

Biofuels create new opportunities

Biofuel growth continues to reshape refining and storage infrastructure across Europe. Traditional refineries primarily processed crude oil feedstocks. Today, many facilities store and process used cooking oil, pyrolysis oil and other renewable feedstocks for producing biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel. These materials create far more aggressive storage conditions than conventional hydrocarbons.

Bio-based feedstocks often contain water, free fatty acids and contaminants that aggressively attack steel and internal linings. Storage temperatures between 70°C (158ºF) and 100°C (212ºF) further increase corrosion risk, especially near heating coils used to maintain viscosity. As a result, lining selection for biofuel storage now requires far greater attention to chemical resistance and temperature performance.

PPG, for example, has supported several large-scale biofuel and renewable refining projects across Europe as operators convert conventional refining assets to handle renewable feedstocks. At one major bio refinery in the Netherlands, PPG supplied coating systems for storage tanks and tank internals designed to withstand aggressive bio-based cargoes and elevated operating temperatures. Similar projects in Spain have required advanced lining technologies capable of handling acidic feedstocks while maintaining long-term durability under continuous service conditions.

These projects reflect a broader shift across the storage sector as operators adapt existing infrastructure for renewable fuels while working to maintain inspection intervals, asset reliability and operational efficiency.

Lining technology advances

Standard epoxy, epoxy phenolic and epoxy novolac systems continue to perform well in many refined fuel applications. For highly acidic biofeedstocks, however, operators increasingly turn to vinyl ester novolac technologies designed for severe chemical environments and elevated temperatures. Coating manufacturers continue to develop new technologies to meet those changing demands. PPG, for example, is preparing to launch a next-generation epoxy novolac lining designed for storing used cooking oils at temperatures up to 90°C (194ºF), depending on application and service conditions. The technology aims to extend the operating range of conventional lining systems before operators need to transition to specialty vinyl ester solutions.

The next phase

As storage infrastructure continues evolving across Europe, tank linings will become even more important to long-term asset management strategies. Operators now view linings as more than protective barriers. They expect coatings to reduce downtime, extend inspection intervals, support biofuel storage and help maintain safe operations under increasingly demanding service conditions.