Application of air-supported membrane structures expanded to the field of large-scale grain storage
On August 28, the largest air-supported warehouse for grain storage in China, according to publicly available information, was completed, with a single silo storage capacity of 9,200 tons. This is another upgrade following the 9,000-ton single-warehouse storage capacity in 2025, and it also proves that air-supported membrane structures are being applied to grain storage and moving towards large-scale application.
According to the project manager, this Inflatable storage membrane for grain incorporates innovative design modifications—driven by strategic requirements—into standard air-supported storage structures. Its outer layer uses a waterproof and sun-proof PVDF membrane material, the middle layer uses a foam layer for heat insulation, and the inner layer uses a reinforced concrete load-bearing layer to ensure the stability of the strategic-level structure. After testing, the air-tightness and heat insulation of this innovative special air-supported structures for storing grain are significantly higher than those of the original standard grain silo. Internal temperature sensors, combined with intelligent ventilation, nitrogen-controlled atmosphere and other green storage technologies, can maintain an average temperature of less than 15°C inside the air-supported membrane warehouse year-round, effectively slowing down grain aging and increasing the proportion of high-quality stored grain. The project plans to construct six warehouse air domes, each with a diameter of 24 meters and a height of approximately 35 meters. Based on a capacity of 9,200 tons per warehouse, the total storage capacity exceeds 55,000 tons. The main construction is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and the warehouses will be officially put into use in the summer of 2027.
For a long time, Sports air dome and recreation entertainment air dome have always been the most representative fields. However, with the development of raw materials and technical design, air-supported membrane structures have gradually extended to more professional fields. The construction of this largest air-supported warehouse for grain storage further validates the wide applicability of warehousing functions and provides a reference for the entire industry in terms of the need for larger spaces, faster construction, and environmental control capabilities.