In Brief
Transloading plastic granules from big-bags to silo trailers — gravity method through a cleaning sieve eliminates grain breakage, static charge and contamination (all problems of pneumatic conveyors at 20–40 m/s). One 60 m³ silo trailer = approx. 36–40 big-bags = 25–30 tonnes of granules. Transloading time: 2–4 hours. PHS Magnum at Chorula: 2,000 big-bag warehouse, 20’/40’ containers received directly, own transport fleet.
Plastic granules — polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), PVC, ABS — are produced and stored in big-bags or octabins. Bulk shipment within Europe, however, is overwhelmingly done in pressurised silo trailers. Bridging the gap between small-pack and bulk transport is what transloading stations do.
What Is Transloading?
Transloading is the transfer of loose material from one packaging format to another without an intermediate storage silo. The material goes directly from the big-bag or octabin through a controlled feed system into the silo trailer’s tank.
This matters when:
- A producer fills big-bags but needs to dispatch full trailer loads.
- An importer receives container loads of granules in octabins and needs to distribute in bulk to processors.
- A trader consolidates part-loads from multiple producers into a full trailer.
The Process at PHS Magnum / Smiała
- Incoming inspection — each big-bag or octabin is checked for correct label, seal integrity and contamination before feeding.
- Big-bag frame or octabin tipper — material is released under gravity through a dust-extraction hood, preventing granule loss and workplace dust.
- Controlled feed into trailer — the trailer’s own pneumatic conveying system is used where possible; alternatively a dedicated pneumatic conveyor transfers material into the top manhole.
- Weighing — the loaded trailer is weighed on a certified platform scale; a weighing certificate accompanies the shipment.
- Documentation — batch numbers, lot codes and material certificates from the original big-bags are carried forward to the bulk shipment paperwork.
Materials Handled
| Material | Typical bag weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PE (HDPE/LDPE) | 500–1 000 kg | Standard granule; low abrasion |
| PP homopolymer/copolymer | 500–1 000 kg | Light; aeration important |
| PVC compound | 500 kg | Dense; limited fill height |
| ABS, PS, PA | 500 kg | Specialty; full cleaning required between grades |
Trailer Compatibility
Most transloading is done into standard 60–65 m³ silo trailers (Spitzer, Feldbinder, Kassbohrer). The trailer must be clean, dry and free of residue from previous loads — a contamination report is issued after each cleaning cycle.
The Smiała transloading station at Chorula handles granules 24/5 with flexible booking, including overnight fills to meet early morning departure slots.
Related: Transloading service · Bulk transport · Silo trailer service
