What equipment and capacity does the SMIALA transloading terminal have?
The SMIALA terminal in Chorula is purpose-built for one task: receiving bulk polymer granulate in big-bags and loading it into silo trailers, reliably and without contamination. Every specification below reflects that single operational purpose.
W skrócie
The SMIALA terminal handles 200 tonnes per day with a 2,000 big-bag warehouse and 4 loading bays. All operations are conducted without pneumatic conveying — gravity transloading preserves granulate particle size distribution, eliminates electrostatic charging and prevents compressor oil contamination. The terminal operates under ISO 9001:2015 with full batch traceability from container arrival to silo trailer dispatch.
Warehouse
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage capacity | 2,000 big-bags |
| Forklift access | Full — all aisles |
| Batch separation | Yes — labelled zones per grade/producer |
| Temperature | 5–25°C (ambient, not climate-controlled) |
| Humidity | Below 60% RH |
| FIFO enforcement | Yes — intake timestamp tracked per pallet position |
| Security | Closed, gated, CCTV monitored |
Big-bags are stored upright on pallets in designated batch zones. Zones are physically separated and labelled with producer name, grade, batch number and intake date. No mixing of grades in adjacent positions without a separating aisle.
For importers shipping weekly or monthly cycles, SMIALA can reserve a dedicated warehouse zone. This means your material occupies a fixed, labelled area throughout its storage period — no risk of neighbouring material contamination.
Loading stations
The terminal has 4 loading bays capable of simultaneous operation. Each bay consists of:
- Gravity loading frame — a steel gantry at 3.5–4.5 m height, fitted with a big-bag hoist point
- Silo trailer position — the trailer parks directly under the gantry; the top inlet hatch is aligned with the bag outlet
- Forklift access — for delivering big-bags from the warehouse to the loading station
- Bay scale — individual big-bag weights recorded before discharge
During a standard loading operation, a forklift places the big-bag on the loading frame. The operator opens the discharge valve of the bag; granulate flows by gravity into the trailer tank. The operator monitors the flow, checks for any blockage and records the bag number and weight. The process is repeated until the trailer reaches its target load weight.
No pneumatic equipment is used in the material stream. The granulate does not contact any pipe, blower or compressor between the big-bag and the trailer tank.
Container unloading
A container truck arrives at the gate and is weighed on the truck scale. The operator verifies the CMR and compares the delivery note against the expected material specification. The container is directed to the unloading bay.
The terminal handles:
- 20-foot containers: 10–14 big-bags of 1 tonne each (depending on fill rate)
- 40-foot standard: 20–24 big-bags
- 40-foot High Cube: 24–28 big-bags
- 45-foot pallet-wide: 28–32 big-bags
A forklift unloads bags to the warehouse storage zone (if buffering) or directly to a loading bay (if a silo trailer is ready). Time from container arrival gate to first big-bag on the loading station: typically 30–60 minutes.
Silo cleaning station
When a silo trailer changes material grade — for example, from Borealis HDPE to LG Chem PP — the tank must be cleaned to prevent cross-contamination. The SMIALA cleaning station uses dry compressed air to purge residual granulate from the tank walls, floor pads and discharge piping.
After cleaning, the operator inspects the tank visually. A cleaning certificate is issued, stating:
- Date and time
- Trailer registration number
- Previous material (grade and producer)
- Cleaning method
- Inspector name
This certificate travels with the CMR to the receiving factory. Many producers — including Borealis and LG Chem — require this documentation before accepting a silo trailer delivery.
Weighing and documentation
Every SMIALA transloading operation produces a transloading protocol with:
- Container number and CMR reference
- Big-bag count and individual weights
- Gross and net weight of loaded silo trailer
- Material grade, producer and batch number
- Operator signature and ISO 9001:2015 quality stamp
- Date, time and bay number
The protocol is issued within 1 hour of loading completion. Digital copies are archived for a minimum of 5 years. On request, SMIALA issues goods receipts compatible with SAP, Oracle and other ERP systems.
Site access
The terminal is accessible to:
- Standard 13.6 m semi-trailers and silo trailers (~60 m³ variants)
- Container trucks with 20’ and 40’ containers
- 25.25 m B-train combinations on request
Address: ul. Kościelna 9, 47-316 Chorula, near Opole, Poland.
From the A4: exit at Gogolin (towards Krapkowice), follow DK40 towards Chorula. GPS: 50.4597°N, 17.9764°E.
The PHS Magnum service facility is located at the same site — silo trailers requiring TDT inspection or maintenance can be serviced without a separate journey. TDT inspections for pressure vessels are conducted on-site.
Schedule a terminal visit
Before committing to a transloading contract, many importers visit the terminal. SMIALA welcomes site visits by prospective clients, quality auditors and logistics managers.
Call: +48 664 135 005 to arrange a visit.
Email: biuro@magnumchorula.pl
Related: Why choose Poland · ISO 9001:2015 certification · Reference clients · Big-bag warehousing
