The air receiver tanks in Poland
The great advantages in location, cost-effective labor force, and well-developed supply chain have made Poland a hotspot for EU manufacturing. Its development of small industrial air receiver tanks (including compressed air tanks and industrial gas tanks/dewars) is closely tied to the political and economic systems.
1. Socialist Period (End of World War II to 1989)
Poland established a heavy industrial system based on the Soviet model. Compressed air and industrial gases (such as oxygen and acetylene) were essential for industries such as metallurgy, machinery manufacturing, and shipbuilding. The air receiver tanks’ design and manufacturing standards adhered to Soviet GOCT standards. Air receiver tanks (especially compressed air tanks) were mostly made of carbon steel, sturdy and bulky, only basic safety standards and a low level of automation. Industrial gases were primarily produced by state-owned manufacturer, and transported and stored in high-pressure steel tanks manufactured to Soviet standards. Gas storage equipment and the gases themselves were allocated according to plan, primarily for key state-owned enterprises. Small private enterprises or workshops were hard to obtain them. Air receiver tank manufacturing was monopolized by a few state-owned air tank factories, resulting in a narrow product range, little external competition, and slow technological advancement.
2. 1990s to 2004
Market opening brought advanced Western European technology and products, state-owned enterprises become privated, numerous new private small and medium-sized enterprises appeared. This led to a surge in demand for air compressors and industrial gases. Air compressors from Western European brands like Germany and Italy, along with air receivers, rapidly entered the Polish market. These air receivers complied with EU Pressure Equipment Directive, and were safer and more efficient. Polish air receiver tank manufacturers faced a significant impact. To survive, they began to adapt to Western European standards, improving their production processes, attempting to supply products to the low-cost market or becoming OEM manufacturers for Western European brands. During this period, Polish factories used both old Soviet-made air receivers and brand-new Western European air receivers.
3. Since 2004
Poland joined the EU, that means Poland must fully adopt EU regulations, including the Pressure Equipment Directive. This significantly raises the safety and quality standards for air receiver tanks in the Polish market. Polish air receiver tank manufacturers must strictly adhere to CE certification. Due to lower labor costs and improved craftsmanship, Poland's air receiver tank manufacturing has regained its competitiveness. Many Polish air tank receiver manufacturers not only supply the domestic market but also export high-quality compressed air receiver tanks to Western Europe. Poland has become a major industrial air receiver tank manufacturing base in Central and Eastern Europe. Air receiver tank manufacturers are increasingly using stainless steel for the air receiver tanks. The market is clearly segmented, for example, stainless steel oil-free compressed air receiver tanks are specifically designed for the food and pharmaceutical industries, corrosion-resistant air receiver tanks are for the chemical industry. Gas supply options are also becoming more flexible.Also, small liquid nitrogen/liquid argon dewars are becoming increasingly popular among Polish small and medium-sized factories.
Today, air receiver tanks produced by Polish manufacturers can be seen in any modern factory in Poland. They meet the strictest EU standards and may be equipped with smart sensors, which clearly shows the profound transformation that Polish industry has undergone in the past three decades.
