Structure-flex champion pillow tanks for water storage
Following long-range forecasts predicting drier-than-average weather for Europe during summer 2025, flexible thermoplastic specialists, Structure-flex, are highlighting the value of pillow tanks for water storage during heatwave conditions.
According to a report from the European Commission Joint Research Centre, warmer-than-average weather and lower rainfall across the continent could lead to dwindling river flow and drought conditions.
“During warmer- and drier-than-usual periods, access to water is crucial,” says Paul Reeve, Managing Director at Structure-flex. “Pillow tanks are an economical and increasingly popular method of storing or transporting water – whether that’s 500 litres or 100,000 litres.”
With warmer weather and less rainfall, access to fresh water can become a challenge for many areas.
Structure-flex’s water storage pillow tanks are already used by global charity Oxfam to help transport and store clean water in developing communities, including those requiring humanitarian aid.
“We have a long-standing partnership with Oxfam in which we provide water storage pillow tanks which typically hold between 5,000 to 20,000 litres. With experts predicting that a heatwave is on the way – and possibly bringing drought conditions with it – pillow tanks can play a vital part in ensuring fresh water is supplied to the areas that need it” adds Paul.
In addition to being used by charities and for humanitarian purposes, Structure-flex’s pillow tanks are also being used to supply large-scale events with fresh water, including glamping sites for festivals and Silverstone F1.
“With festival season running right through the summer, ensuring festival-goers have access to clean, fresh water is always a priority – but it will be more important than ever during a heatwave. We’re again partnering with water solutions provider Siamax to supply branded pillow tanks which help them deliver drinking water to a number of events this summer – including glamping sites outside Glastonbury!” says Paul.
Structure-flex’s pillow tanks (sometimes known as bladder or lay-flat style tanks) are made from a variety of strong PVC and TPU coated technical textiles. Designed to be easily foldable and relatively light, they can be transported to isolated places empty, or full when configured as truck mountable.
The thermoplastic experts also supply self-supporting open-top tanks (or ‘onion’ tanks) which are available in capacities ranging from 500 litres to 100,000 litres.
“We have a comprehensive range of water storage products which can help a variety of sectors during a heatwave – from humanitarian and fire fighting all the way through to military and agriculture. If standard sizes don’t suit, we can make them bespoke to meet our clients’ needs” Paul adds.
Established in 1970, Structure-flex manufacture a diverse range of products from flexible thermoplastic coated technical textiles which are bonded together using high-frequency welding.
As well as manufacturing pillow tanks for water storage, the company is one of the largest lorry tension curtain providers in the UK and works with many well-known brands and retailers.
More details of Structure-flex can be found at https://www.structure-flex.co.uk/
