Delivering Trusted Environmental Solutions in the Petrochemical Sector
By Dave Morrey, Commercial Director, EnviroServ – a SUEZ Company
Across industries, challenges are mounting—from economic uncertainty to evolving environmental regulations and pressure to decarbonise. Nowhere is this more evident than in the petrochemical sector, which faces tightening margins, rising operating costs and growing environmental scrutiny. At EnviroServ, we understand that navigating these challenges requires more than just technical competence—it demands a trusted partner who places the customer’s needs at the centre of every solution.
Customer centricity is not a buzzword for us. It’s a business mindset rooted in our decades of experience operating across South Africa and the African continent. We’ve learned that every client, every facility, and every operation comes with unique needs and pressures. As such, our approach is designed to be highly responsive and personal. We embed ourselves within our clients’ operations, stationing dedicated teams on-site or nearby to ensure quick, expert support—particularly in emergencies where time and precision are critical.
The South African petrochemical industry, like many globally, is confronting a combination of structural and environmental challenges. Feedstock costs are rising, energy inputs are volatile, and stakeholders—government, shareholders, and communities—are demanding accountability on sustainability and safety. There is no margin for error, and definitely no time for a learning curve when it comes to high-stakes operations including spill response, shutdowns, and tank cleaning.
That’s where EnviroServ’s legacy of reliability comes in. Our specialised HazTech team—has the training, certifications, and experience to handle complex environmental services safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with legislation. From chemical spill response to specialised waste containment products, our people are equipped with industry-leading products and protocols to prevent environmental harm and protect client operations.
One of our most critical service areas in the petrochemical sector is tank cleaning, particularly during plant shutdowns. These projects are inherently complex and high-risk, involving confined space entry, work at heights, and strict safety procedures. However, when managed properly, tank cleaning offers significant operational and commercial value. It extends asset life, improves safety, and—where feasible—can even generate returns by recovering usable sludge and by-products.
We approach tank cleaning not as a simple task, but as a turnkey environmental solution. Our scope of work includes:
Desludging: Removing built-up sludge and sediment from the tank floor.
Flushing: Using fluids to remove loose materials from internal surfaces.
High-Pressure Cleaning: Employing water jets to eliminate stubborn residues.
Chemical Cleaning: Where applicable, utilising approved solvents to dissolve contaminants.
Waste Disposal: Handling, transporting, and disposing of waste at our green landfill site and in accordance with strict legal and environmental requirements.
What sets EnviroServ apart is not just our process—it’s our proven track record and capacity to deliver at scale. We’ve conducted extensive shutdown support services for some of the continent’s leading petrochemical producers. Our clients trust us because we do more than meet compliance—we proactively help them optimise operations, avoid costly mistakes, and reduce downtime.
In a climate where reputation, compliance and operational uptime are tightly intertwined, companies can’t afford to take chances. That’s why we don’t just manage waste and “clean tanks”; we deliver peace of mind. Our teams are trained to perform under pressure, anticipate risks, and align our work with our clients’ strategic goals.
At EnviroServ, we believe that doing right by the customer and the environment go hand in hand. We are not just a service provider—we are a strategic partner with the expertise, insight, and footprint to support petrochemical operations safely, sustainably, and profitably.
In short, we enable our customers to focus on their core business, while we focus on what we do best—solving environmental challenges, safely and efficiently.
