Silos Spain is featured in the December edition of Milling and Grain with a special article that shares our perspective, technical expertise and ongoing commitment to innovation in grain storage and conditioning. As part of this leading agro-industrial publication, we explore the key challenges facing storage today — from design and engineering to operational efficiency and sustainability — drawing on practical insights from international projects.
Today’s challenge is no longer how much grain we can store, but how can we preserve it in the face of temperature fluctuations, moisture, pests and increasingly unpredictable conditions.
Across the global agricultural sector, grain storage remains one of the least visible yet most influential links in the food supply chain. The modern challenge is no longer how much grain we can store, but how effectively we can preserve it in the face of temperature fluctuations, moisture, pests and increasingly unpredictable climate conditions.
As production volumes grow and environmental pressures intensify, the industry is reassessing storage design through the combined lenses of durability, safety and sustainability. Properly engineered steel silos, supported by intelligent management systems, are emerging as one of the most effective responses to these challenges.
This article explores four pillars shaping the next generation of storage solutions—structural engineering, material science, temperature control and sustainable operation—and illustrates their impact through real-world projects.
Engineering and structural design
Grain silos behave as dynamic structures, continuously responding to cyclic loads, shifting temperatures and internal pressures created by the settling and movement of grain. Long-term reliability depends not only on traditional structural considerations but also on an understanding of grain behaviour as a living, biological mass.
Industry design is largely guided by Eurocode and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. Although both provide solid structural frameworks, Eurocode typically results in slightly heavier, more robust silos that offer enhanced safety margins in regions exposed to seismic activity or high winds. This additional resilience can significantly extend the operating life of the installation.
Modern silos reflect a shift toward greater safety and ease of use. High-strength steels improve resistance to deformation, while smooth-wave corrugated geometries support better grain flow and higher levels of hygiene. Bolted modular construction simplifies transport, assembly and long-term maintenance, and safety is strengthened by roof protections and ergonomic access systems compliant with UNE-EN ISO 14122-2. Together, these design decisions ensure predictable behaviour under thermal stress, internal pressures, suction effects and rapid weather variations.
Material science
Material selection is central to both performance and sustainability. Traditional galvanisation, long the standard, is increasingly being replaced by advanced alloy coatings that offer superior durability and a reduced environmental footprint. One of the most significant developments is the use of Al–Zn–Mg coatings such as ProMag, which provide up to ten times higher corrosion resistance than conventional galvanised steel under ISO 9223 classifications. This makes them particularly valuable in coastal or high-humidity environments where corrosion is a major operational risk.
These coatings also reduce the total volume of zinc required, offering a more sustainable alternative without compromising strength. The trend toward higher-yield steels enables lighter but stronger structures, while corrosion-resistant bolting and smoother internal surfaces further enhance discharge performance and sanitation. In combination, these material innovations support longer lifespans, stronger operational safety and more energy-efficient storage facilities.
Ventilation and temperature control
Effective temperature control remains the cornerstone of grain preservation. Even minor variations within a grain mass can lead to biological activity, mould development or self-heating, each of which threatens quality and market value.
Steel silos, with their sealed architecture and smooth interior surfaces, are highly compatible with both aeration systems and intelligent monitoring technologies.
Successful cooling depends on the ability to distribute airflow uniformly throughout the grain. This is achieved through ventilation bases and roof vents designed to promote balanced circulation. Thermometry systems identify early anomalies and guide aeration strategies, while insulation plays an important role in regions with extreme climates by helping to stabilise internal conditions.
Because shorter and wider silos maintain shallower grain columns, they tend to cool more easily and consistently than taller structures.
Digitalisation is transforming temperature management from a reactive practice into a proactive one. Continuous monitoring allows operators to intervene early, optimising energy use and preserving grain quality long before problems become visible.
Sustainability and operational efficiency
Sustainability in grain storage extends far beyond the choice of steel. It encompasses the energy used in aeration and drying, the recyclability of the silo’s structural components and most critically, the reduction of post-harvest losses. A well-designed system minimises energy demand, avoids unnecessary fumigation and preserves a greater share of the harvested grain, directly supporting both environmental and economic goals.
Digital tools are increasingly central to this evolution. Integrated sensors for temperature, humidity and fill levels reduce the need for manual inspections, enabling operators to make data-driven decisions that improve safety and efficiency. These advancements collectively extend the lifespan of the installation and enhance the resilience of the supply chain in a world of rising demand and limited natural resources.
Field insights
Real-world projects illustrate how engineering choices translate into operational benefits.
- Romania: A high-capacity plant equipped with full aeration and temperature monitoring demonstrates how cold ambient air can be used strategically to reduce cooling costs.
- Toledo, Spain: The modernisation of an existing storage facility shows that selective upgrades—such as improved aeration and corrosion-resistant materials—can deliver major performance gains without replacing the entire installation.
- Arrozúa cooperative (Andalusia): Flat-bottom silos feature ventilation systems tailored to the respiration profile of rice, while gentle discharge mechanisms help maintain grain integrity. Each crop, in this case rice, requires its own aeration strategy, with thermal stability being more important than airflow intensity.
- Guadix, Spain: A soybean meal facility highlights the importance of selecting the right combination of geometry, internal surface finish and extraction technology to manage low-fluidity materials.
- Bolivia: A 60,000-tonne soybean plant uses plastic-bucket elevators to reduce grain breakage, supported by cleaning, drying, ventilation and temperature-control systems that address soybean-specific risks.
- Bulgaria: Ongoing construction of a corn storage facility showcases the value of corrosion-resistant ProMag-coated steel and robust ventilation and handling equipment when dealing with large storage volumes.
These examples collectively reinforce a core principle: the correct pairing of engineering, materials and management practices is essential to maintaining grain quality at scale.
Looking ahead
The shift toward sustainable, efficient and data-integrated silo systems represents more than technological progress; it reflects a shared commitment to stewardship.
Engineers, manufacturers and operators each play a role in protecting the harvest. Every tonne of grain preserved through better design, improved monitoring or more durable materials translates into food saved, energy conserved and emissions avoided.
The future of grain storage lies at the intersection of engineering reliability and sustainable innovation. Advances in structural design, materials and intelligent monitoring are redefining the meaning of durability in a changing climate. Steel silos, once regarded as little more than passive containers, are evolving into active preservation systems that improve efficiency, reduce loss and strengthen global food security.
As each new project contributes further insight, the industry continues to refine and elevate standards for safe, sustainable grain storage worldwide.
You can read the full article here, published in the December 2025 edition of Milling and Grain magazine, page 76. Languages:
English – https://flickread.com/edition/html/6931eeea74cef#76
Spanish – https://flickread.com/edition/html/69394fd475356#76
Chinese – https://flickread.com/edition/html/693edb44a2d57#76
French – https://flickread.com/edition/html/693ed477542f4#76
Arabic – https://flickread.com/edition/html/69406ce5e5077#55
Indonesian – https://flickread.com/edition/html/693ed70242b1a#76
Turkish: https://flickread.com/edition/html/6942a1a757af5#76
