Tank cleaning is a crucial yet resource-intensive activity in the logistics and transport industries.
Ensuring tanks are clean, safe and ready for reuse involves significant water and chemical use, which often translates into considerable operational costs and environmental impacts.
At the recent European Federation of Tank Cleaning Organisations (EFTCO) meeting, held in Seville, Spain, two pioneering Spanish companies — ARCOI and Aguambiente — showcased innovative solutions aimed at tackling these challenges, highlighting opportunities for resource savings, cost reductions and environmental protection.
EFTCO represents the interests of the tank cleaning sector across Europe. It promotes industry standards, environmental protection and safe practices, providing a crucial platform for exchanging ideas and innovations.
ARCOI: Pioneering sustainable tank cleaning
Based in the industrial hub of Tarragona, ARCOI has a rich history spanning over 50 years, designing and installing state-of-the-art cleaning systems for tank trucks and containers.
Recognised as a leader in tank cleaning technologies, ARCOI’s systems are used widely across Spain and internationally, notably in Mexico, Colombia and Portugal.
At the EFTCO event, ARCOI’s representatives Klaus Tilgner and Jesús Arduengo highlighted their commitment to efficient cleaning solutions that significantly reduce water, detergent and energy usage without compromising cleaning quality.
One standout innovation presented was their patented motor-driven rotary cleaning heads. These specialised rotary heads optimise cleaning by adjusting pressure, temperature and detergent use depending on the product residue inside the tank.
To demonstrate the benefits of their technology, the company presented compelling case studies:
• By reducing water pressure from 100 bar to 50 bar during a 6-minute cleaning cycle, water consumption dropped from 900 litres to 600 litres (a 33% saving), electricity use fell from 3 kW to 1.5 kW (50% saving) and thermal energy consumption decreased by 33%.
• Another impressive example involved detergent usage. By switching from a traditional water-driven rotary spray head to its motor-driven head at a lower pressure, water usage dropped from 300 litres to just 30 litres (90% saving) and detergent consumption reduced from 15 litres to 1.5 litres (also a 90% saving).
These innovations underscore the company’s commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, positioning the company at the forefront of environmentally responsible tank cleaning.
Aguambiente: Revolutionising wastewater management
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Valladolid, Aguambiente specialises in wastewater treatment, particularly for tank washing facilities.
With over 30 years of industry experience, Aguambiente provides wastewater solutions worldwide, successfully addressing the complex challenge of treating diverse and hazardous wastewaters produced during tank cleaning.
At the EFTCO conference, Aguambiente’s representative, Santiago Salcedo, emphasised the need for robust and cost-effective wastewater treatments. Traditional methods for tank cleaning generate significant sludge, chemical waste and high operational costs, especially in smaller facilities.
Aguambiente presented their innovative H-BIO® and Biological-BBF treatment systems, designed specifically for tank washing applications. These systems streamline wastewater management by significantly reducing both chemical usage and sludge production:
• Aguambiente’s solutions achieve a 60–90% reduction in chemical usage;
• They reduce physical-chemical sludge by 60–80%;
• Cost savings on waste management alone range from €1,500 to €3,000 per month;
This approach not only makes wastewater treatment more sustainable but also significantly reduces operating costs, delivering both environmental and economic benefits.
Synergising ARCOI and Aguambiente
The EFTCO meeting underscored potential synergies between ARCOI and Aguambiente, suggesting that combined efforts could yield even greater benefits. ARCOI’s cleaning systems reduce water and chemical usage at the source, while Aguambiente’s advanced solutions efficiently manage and treat residual wastewater with low costs associated with chemical use and sludge treatment.
Together, the two companies present a comprehensive solution for tank cleaning and wastewater management, significantly reducing both environmental impact and operational costs.
Collaborative implementation of ARCOI’s optimised cleaning systems with Aguambiente’s advanced wastewater treatment processes could set new industry benchmarks, creating a closed-loop, highly sustainable cleaning cycle. Facilities adopting these combined solutions can expect significant cost reductions, compliance with increasingly stringent environmental regulations and a substantially reduced ecological footprint.
Historical context and future outlook
ARCOI’s innovative journey began with a vision to deliver durable, user-friendly tank washing systems. Their systems now account for approximately 80% of all EFTCO-certified cleaning stations in Spain.
Aguambiente has similarly built its reputation through robust and environmentally sound wastewater solutions, with installations and treatment plants operating across five continents.
Looking ahead, both companies are well positioned to lead the industry towards a greener future. ARCOI’s planned expansion in Bilbao, along with its ongoing international projects, and Aguambiente’s growing global presence clearly reflect the market’s increasing demand for sustainable solutions.
Conclusion
The presentations by ARCOI and Aguambiente at the EFTCO meeting in Seville showcased their leadership in resource-efficient technologies.
The substantial savings in water, energy, chemicals and operational costs they offer highlight a clear pathway for the tank cleaning industry to become more sustainable and economically viable.
As environmental regulations tighten and cost pressures increase, adopting the innovative practices demonstrated by these two pioneering companies is not merely beneficial — it is essential.
For more information: Visit arcoi.net
Sustainable solutions at EFTCO
