Dr. Martino Celeghini
CEO of CESCO EPC GmbH

In an industry where innovation meets necessity, CESCO EPC GmbH stands out as a model of invention and resilience. At the helm of this pioneering company is Dr. Martino Celeghini, a forward-thinkingindustry leader At the helm of this pioneering company is Dr. Martino Celeghini, a forward-thinking industry leader contributing to the future of grain storage and logistics. In our recent conversation, Dr. Celeghini explained how CESCO manages the many complexities of modern grain logistics, combining cutting-edge technology with decades of experience to meet the growing demands of the industry. “We are constantly innovating to address the major trends and challenges in grain logistics,” Dr. Celeghini explained. “From increasing storage capacities to ensuring environmental sustainability, our goal is to provide smart concepts and easy operation solutions.”

Addressing environmental concerns and responding to global unpredictability, CESCO’s strategic innovations are establishing new benchmarks in grain storage. Here’s an inside look at our discussions, revealing the insights and proactive approaches that keep CESCO at the forefront of the industry.

What are the current trends in grain logistics, and how is CESCO incorporating these trends into its projects and solutions?

a. Bigger, Faster, Unstoppable, Environmental-friendly: 

i. A major trend is the increase in total storage capacity, ranging from 100 to 300 thousand tons, with some requests reaching 500 thousand tons. CESCO addresses this trend in cooperation with its partner for corrugated steel sheet silos, Simeza, offering large flat-bottom silos with diameters up to 32.10 meters, heights up to 37.90 meters, and single capacities up to 20,000 tons each.

ii. The silos are combined with high-capacity heavy-duty conveying equipment capable of handling up to 1200 or even 1500 tons per hour. To meet these demands, CESCO has developed a new line of heavy-duty chain conveyors, bucket elevators, and belt conveyors, drawing on over 50 years of market experience. CESCO’s new designs feature heavy-duty pillow block units for bearing supports installed externally, allowing complete replacement from outside. All stations have rounded shapes to enhance product hygiene, with internal walls lined with HDPE or Hardox liners to reduce wear. The gearboxes are installed with taper bush fittings to prevent pitting and ensure long-term maintainability. Additionally, CESCO applies a dual-motor solution when the machine requires an installed power greater than or equal to 37 kW. These motors are controlled by the control panel to operate in parallel and simultaneously, ensuring better distribution of both the motor’s weight and the required stresses on the shaft. This dual-motor solution also allows the conveyor to run at 50% capacity in the event of a problem with one of the motors.

iii. The equipment is fitted in the plant with a high degree of redundancy to ensure uninterrupted operation during maintenance, avoiding single points of failure. CESCO addresses this need by thoroughly discussing customer requirements and optimizing plant design at the concept level, embodying the motto “smart concepts, easy operation.” Only after extensive concept optimization is the project fully engineered.

iv. Environmental aspects, such as reducing dust emissions and noise, and lowering energy consumption, are increasingly important in the grain business, pushing for fully enclosed belt conveyors to replace traditional chain conveyors. CESCO has developed a new line of heavy-duty, fully enclosed belt conveyors, Series RBC E, with conveying capacities up to 1200 tons per hour.

b. FSWH: 

i. Several customers are also requesting storage systems based on flat storage warehouses (FSWH), especially for non-flowing materials. 

ii. CESCO has developed a dedicated line of chain and belt conveyors with movable outlets on the top and grating inlets on the floor, ensuring uniform filling and emptying of the warehouse.

iii. CESCO is developing several projects combining round and square silos with flat storage warehouses according to customer demand.

What are the biggest challenges you foresee for the grain logistics in the next decade?

BE PREPARED FOR THE UNFORESEEN

While the challenges in the last decades were primarily driven by technological and economic improvements, since 2020, new factors like pandemics, wars, and economic embargos have heavily influenced grain logistics in unexpected ways.

The business must adapt to such unforeseen events quickly and flexibly. Regardless of the plans prepared, the only reliable way to ensure food security is by increasing local production or, if not possible, increasing strategic storage as seen in the trend mentioned above.

REFURBISHMENT AND EXTENSION OF OLD PLANTS

Several plants worldwide are aging and require upgrades, particularly in conveying systems, control systems, and increased storage capacity. To cope with this demand, CESCO has developed a methodology involving 3D digital imaging by laser scanner of existing facilities at the project’s beginning, paired with 3D full CAD design, ensuring accuracy and ease of assembly.

When plant expansion is required in limited space, often the case for mill plants, CESCO offers a variety of square silos with corrugated or flat smooth walls, seamlessly integrated with supporting steel structures. This allows for higher efficiency of space usage, reduced transport costs, and faster erection due to a fully bolted design.

TIME TO DELIVERY

Customers are demanding faster deliveries of plants and equipment due to urgent demands or changing conditions (e.g., supply chain disruptions, wars, embargos). CESCO has addressed this by developing a modular design for equipment and plants, fully implemented in 3D CAD and PDM/ERP systems and partnering with internal and external manufacturers for fully automated steel sheet component and warm rolled profiles production, reducing design and manufacturing time.