Stueve Construction’s dry fertilizer storage buildings are engineered, purpose-built facilities designed to safely contain highly corrosive materials while protecting them from moisture intrusion, UV exposure, and structural degradation. Utilizing proven material systems—including reinforced concrete, heavy timber framing, and high-capacity glulam beams—each structure is designed to maintain product integrity and long-term durability for agribusiness retailers and large-scale fertilizer terminals. These facilities incorporate high-load structural systems, corrosion-resistant detailing, and integrated material-handling layouts to support efficient receiving, blending, and outbound distribution, with scalable designs ranging from compact storage sheds to fully automated, high-volume industrial complexes.
Key Features & Materials
- Corrosion Resistance: Materials must withstand the corrosive nature of fertilizers, Wooden buildings are the best option when designing a structure to store these products.
- Moisture Control: Buildings are designed to be dry, with features like concrete floors, raised surfaces, and sealed walls to prevent caking and degradation.
- Ventilation: Essential for air circulation, preventing heat buildup and managing fumes. Each facility can be close up to keep high humidity out when needed.
- Heated Concrete floors: Engineered floor heating systems by Stueve Construction ensure dry surfaces. It brings the slab temperatures up and eliminates sweating from fertilizer. Stueve engineered concrete curbs and pads provide a stable, impervious foundation, with some facilities using high concrete bunker walls.
- We Do Not Recommend Fabric Covered Structures: Fabric structures or Tent buildings use high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for a roof. These are temporary covers and can be destroyed in high winds and will need to be replaced often. Additionally, a Circus Tent Style building needs to be longer to get the same tonnage as a Stueve wood / concrete building, because you can not stack product as well. You will have at least a third more site work, electrical, and equipment costs making them more expensive than a wood fertilizer storage building.
Types & Configurations
- Small to Mid-Sized: Often called sheds or bunkers, these can store hundreds to thousands of tons, featuring basic sheds or more complex designs with load-out areas.
- Large Scale Facilities: Can accommodate tens of thousands of tons and include integrated rail/barge receiving, high-speed conveyors, blending towers, and bagging systems.
- Flexibility: Stueve buildings offer more flexibility and cost-effectiveness since they are easy to expand on to when more storage is needed.
Essential Design Considerations
- More bins: We always hear one phrase after a building has been operating after 1 year, “I wish we had more bins” Build the plant for you largest days and what you will need in 5 years too. Yes, Bins can be added later, but usually cost more. You can double up product bins and also increase flexibility when you start.
- Heated Floors: The second main regret we hear from clients is” I wish we heated the floors” It may seem expensive now, but It will pay off in 2-3 years time with less shrink and safety considerations.
- Protection from Elements: Keep out moisture, sunlight, and extreme temperatures (ideal range often 5°C – 30°C or 40°F – 85°F).
- Segregation: Keep fertilizers separate from pesticides, fuels, and feed.
- Ground Contact: Store bagged products on pallets off the ground.
- Specialized Bins: Accommodate micronutrients and other specialty products.
Growing your ag or chemical business? Your facility shouldn’t hold you back. We build high-performance solutions:
✅ Dry & Liquid Fertilizer Facilities
✅ Chemical Warehouses
✅ Agronomy Offices
✅ Greenfield, Brownfield & Remodels
Stueve Construction delivers excellence, from foundation to finish.