project brief
For round-the-clock leak detection, we added thermal imaging cameras and acoustic sensors, reaching alert reaction times of less than one second, significantly exceeding the 30-second legal standard.
SEVESO III Safety Overhaul
The challenge
To ensure compliance and business continuity, Tanklager AG Cadenazzo had to make immediate improvements in response to the EU’s SEVESO III Directive (2024), which established more stringent safety regulations for storing hazardous materials. Our gap analysis for 2023 identified weaknesses in blast containment, emergency response procedures, and fire suppression systems, especially for high-risk materials like biofuels and LPG. Under Swiss environmental standards, non-compliance might result in fines of up to 5% of annual turnover. The new regulations required automated shutdown systems, real-time leak detection, and improved personnel training. Similar facilities were spending €3-5 million on equivalent renovations, according to industry benchmarks, necessitating a solution that struck a compromise between cost-effectiveness, safety, and minimal operating disturbance.
project goals
The upgrade comprised three key measures designed to exceed SEVESO III criteria while also future-proofing our infrastructure. For round-the-clock leak detection, we added thermal imaging cameras and acoustic sensors, reaching alert reaction times of less than one second, significantly exceeding the 30-second legal standard. For important operations personnel, blast-resistant control rooms (certified for 10 psi overpressure) were built, and all 32 storage tanks were enclosed with double walls and sloped foundations to divert spills to collection basins. To provide regulators with an unchangeable record, the project also used blockchain-audited maintenance logs and VR-based emergency exercises. Systems were stress-tested against extreme circumstances, such as simultaneous tank fires and seismic disasters, thanks to a partnership with ETH Zürich’s Safety Lab.
the result
By passing 12 surprise inspections with zero infractions, the €4.2 million investment achieved 100% SEVESO III compliance six months before the 2025 deadline. Safety measurements demonstrated a 40% decrease in incident reaction times and the removal of false alarms, which previously resulted in needless shutdowns costing €150,000 annually. With PetroSuisse and members of the European Tank Storage Association now using our VR training modules, the improvements have established Tanklager as a Swiss safety standard. Operational advantages included eligibility for EU Green Storage Grants and 15% lower insurance costs, while the blockchain system cut down on compliance paperwork by 300 staff hours per month. Phase 2 (2025) plans to use drones for aerial gas monitoring and AI-powered risk predictions have been spurred by the project’s success.
recent projects
Responding to EU renewable energy demand, we’ve allocated 20,000m³ of dedicated biofuel storage (HVO, ethanol) with corrosion-resistant lining and vapor recovery tech.
Tightening rules, reactive maintenance methods, and aged infrastructure provide growing issues for Europe's tank storage sector
Creating high-quality services you can trust, serving you better with reliable, innovative systems
