Preventing Soil Contamination is Good Business For Witt Lining Systems

One company that has benefitted from plating operations taking a more proactive approach to preventing soil contamination is Witt Lining Systems in Claremore, Okla., where 2012 was the largest sales year in company history.

 

Company President Andrew Hotchkies says sales for 2012 doubled from the previous year for the firm, which manufactures flexible PVC liners used for corrosion resistance in process tanks, storage tanks, vats, sumps, pits and containment areas.

 

Part of these record sales came from two exceptional orders: one was for a series of containment liners for an automobile supplier’s construction project, and the other was tank stand covers for a new nickel smelting plant.

 

“We have seen a real resurgence in the metal finishing industry due to mining and oil and gas exploration. That industry has always been a big part of our business,” said Hotchkies, who sees great potential for another record sales year in 2013.

 

The automobile supplier project included the installation of a flexible PVC lining for a new metal finishing facility. The project involved a flexible Spectra Blue PVC liner underneath the foundation, as well as a containment liner under the new process line and several chemical storage areas.

 

Hotchkies says that metal finishing companies in the state have recently incurred EPA fines for contamination of nearby groundwater due to inadequate secondary containment. The firm chose a Witt Linings flexible PVC liner because such liners offer long service life and low maintenance.

 

The first phase involved laying the 60-mil PVC liner to act as a final barrier to prevent contamination of the soil beneath the facility, then the foundation was poured over it. Work then began on the containment liners for the main production line and chemical storage areas.

 

Hotchkies says one of the key components was the use of a Koroseal PVC embed strip developed by Stein Industries. Instead of typical compression strips and mechanical fasteners to hold the liner in place, this PVC embed strip was placed into the concrete as it was curing. This design enabled the Koroseal PVC to be welded directly to the embed strip.

 

Not only did it create a liquid seal, Hotchkies says, but the yellow color of the embed strip also now acts as a warning signal identifying the different chemical areas.

 

According to Melvin Stein, owner of Stein Industries, the containment system is unparalleled in terms of cost and ease of maintenance.

 

Information for this story supplied by Witt Lining Systems. For more information, call 1-800-323-3335 or visit wittliners.com