Poly versus steel? Here are the pros and cons to help you decide which one is better for you.  Around the world, especially throughout Europe, polyethylene tanks dominate steel when it comes to storing 10,000 litres or less of diesel. However, Australia lags behind in its take-up.

This is rapidly changing due to some significant and key advantages a poly tank has over steel, especially within the Australian environment.

As a fleet operator of 12 trucks, our business enjoys the financial benefit of bulk diesel deliveries on-site, as you would too. 

However, the biggest question you need to answer is: Which tank will give me the best bang for my buck?

So, let’s strip it all back for you to make that decision easier.

Here are six advantages polyethylene diesel storage has over steel.

Fundamentally, a poly tank doesn’t rust. Stainless steel has the real potential to deteriorate over time and rust, allowing water to enter the tank. 

   Welds are a weak point and become a significant concern as steel tanks have flat roofs. 

   These flat surfaces tend to hold water with no runoff, further encouraging metal degradation. 

A well-designed poly diesel fuel tank is manufactured in Australia for our weather conditions. It’s UV protected with a domed roof and comes with a 20+ year tank design life.

And you don’t need to repaint a poly tank like you do steel. Its coating is for life!

There is a myth associated with poly diesel tanks not being as strong as steel. 

      On the contrary, if you have ever seen a truck or a piece of machinery hit a steel tank, you know the consequences. It will either pierce the skin of the tank or crease it, which will attract oxidisation of the steel. A poly fuel tank, on the other hand, will absorb the impact and bounce back into shape. To make our bunded diesel tanks even tougher, Polymaster has a range of drag skids with bollards available for high traffic areas and even easier manoeuvring around the site.

Poly tanks are much lighter than steel. There is no need for heavy equipment to load/unload a poly diesel tank. Empty, they weigh less than 800kg, whereas heavy steel can sit at 4500kg – so cancel the crane.

When empty, a forklift with extended tines can easily relocate a tank around your site or load it on the back of the truck. If it is on a skid, the job is even simpler.

Australia is a pretty harsh environment for equipment. Many importers over the years have become unstuck with how demanding our weather and conditions are.

The overwhelming majority of steel tanks are built overseas.

A poly tank is manufactured in one-piece, whereas a stainless-steel tank has overlapping welds, creating potentially vulnerable points where oxidation can take hold.

A Polymaster tank is Australian made and designed for our environment. So, with 25 years of tank manufacturing under Polymaster’s belt, our tanks last.

With a steel tank outside on a hot day, condensation builds up on the inside, causing water to form. Water in diesel is extremely harmful and expensive to your engine. A poly tank eliminates this condensation.

Comparing like-for-like, a steel tank is approximately 30 per cent more expensive than poly.

If you are setting up bulk diesel on-site for the first time you are likely to save up to 25c per litre compared to the service station bowser. With that type of saving, a poly diesel fuel tank will pay for itself within the first six fills of a 10,000 litre tank. The accountant will be happy with that decision.

So how much diesel do you need to store? 

At Polymaster, we have the largest range of diesel storage options available for virtually all your applications:

• Portable ute packs: 100L – 800L

• Diesel transfer tanks: 600L – 3000L 

• Bulk storage tanks: 2000L – 10,000L 

• Double-walled diesel bunded ‘ready-to-go’ tanks: 2300 – 10,000L 

Polyethylene tanks are the ideal choice when you need to store and dispense diesel and they’re an asset to your business. They save you time and money. Being manufactured from cost-effective diesel-grade materials, these strong and durable diesel tanks also reduce maintenance and downtime for your business. Building on 26 years of Australian manufacture, Polymaster’s range of quality diesel tanks deliver effective solutions for almost all requirements.  Whether you invest in a bunded diesel tank, transfer tank or ute pack, you’re ensured the highest degree of security and safety when operating your equipment.

Contact Polymaster on 1300 062 064 or visit the website polymaster.com.au to find out how our diesel storage solutions can work for you. 

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