Industrial tarpaulins for bulk and warehousing in Canada

For covering bulk materials and outdoor storage, Megatex offers two main families of industrial geomembranes, selected for their
resistance, durability and ability to remain stable on a pile in Canadian conditions (wind, UV, freeze/thaw, snow, rain).

Poly6BB geomembrane (laminated geomembrane)

Composition and construction

• Extruded, laminated polyethylene geomembrane with 6-mil reinforcement.
• The reinforced structure is designed to better control the propagation of tears
  during repeated handling.

Ideal for

• Covering contaminated soil
• Covering raw materials for short to medium periods.
• Small battery
• Situations where the canvas will be handled frequently (opening/closing regularly, moving to different stacks).

Available formats

• Rolls 40′ x 120′.
• Custom-made to your requirements, with widths in multiples of 40 feet
  (depending on configuration and sewing/assembly).

Why this option is appreciated in the field

• Lighter, so easier to deploy and reposition.
• Interesting for small and medium-sized surfaces, or batteries that change frequently.

Option 2: Polyethylene M1080 (HDPE 12 mil UV-coated)
Composition and construction

• High-density polyethylene (HDPE) 12 mil, UV-coated.
• Designed for greater resistance to mechanical stress and prolonged exposure.

Ideal for

• Coverage of raw bulk materials such as salt, fluorspar, gypsum, mining concentrates, iron silicate, ferromanganese or other sensitive products requiring superior protection.
• Applications where humidity control and dust reduction are important.
• Longer outdoor storage, or sites exposed to winds.

Available formats

• Custom-made to your stack size.
• Very large surfaces possible, up to 42,000 square feet per canvas (depending on project).

Why this option is appreciated in the field

• Very good mechanical stability, good battery life and excellent UV resistance.
• Recommended when looking for a lasting solution

How do I choose between Poly6BB and M1080?

Poly6BB is best suited if

• you’re covering a small or medium-sized area;
• you open and close frequently;
• short to medium storage life;
• you’re looking for a lighter, easier-to-handle canvas.

M1080 is best suited if

• your batteries are large (or very large);
• short or long storage periods, with the aim of high durability;
• you need to reduce moisture on the material and control dust;
• the site is exposed to the wind

In all cases, we can recommend the right material depending on your bulk type, climate, pile shape, machinery constraints and anchoring method.

For prolonged outdoor storage, tarpaulins must withstand UV rays, freeze-thaw cycles, strong winds and repeated handling.

The geomembranes used by Megatex are designed specifically for these conditions.

Poly6BB geomembrane is suitable for small and medium-sized piles that are handled frequently and used for shorter periods. Its laminated structure provides good wind resistance while remaining easy to reposition.

Thicker, mechanically stable M1080 polyethylene is the preferred solution for
long-term outdoor storage. It is particularly recommended for sensitive materials
, food products or sites where contamination must be strictly controlled.

On large bulk stacks, maintenance is mainly preventive.

Recommended best practices

• avoid rubbing against abrasive surfaces such as concrete blocks
• limit handling with machinery (e.g. forklift forks)
• visually inspect the tarpaulin on a regular basis
• ensure proper anchoring, as poor fastening is often the main cause of tears

Factors influencing service life

• wind exposure
• type of attachment system
• repeated abrasions
• machine handling

A well-chosen, well-installed and well-maintained tarpaulin can provide many seasons of service, even in demanding conditions.

Megatex manufactures made-to-measure industrial tarpaulins to ensure complete and effective coverage of your bulk stacks.

Tarpaulins can be designed to the exact dimensions of your pile, using the material best suited to your application. Manufacturing options take account of pile shape, anchoring methods and site climatic conditions.

Bulk tarp installation depends on pile size, bulk type, pile shape, prevailing winds, and site exposure. Here’s a field approach to safe, durable installation.

Step 1: Fabric deployment

• Position the canvas on the stack and make sure there is enough overhang all around.
• If the stack is very large, several canvases may be required, which must be sewn together on site.
• Make sure you stretch the canvas as much as possible

Step 2: Effective fastening methods (site-specific)

A) Fixing with tires and blocks (common method for small piles, temporary piles)

• Place tires and/or concrete blocks around the pile, and at strategic points.
• Objective: to keep the canvas taut and stable.
• Add straps or cables across the width to increase hold, especially on long stacks.
• Advantages: easy to move and adjust during handling. Temporary installation requires little preparation.

B) Battery in a concrete U

• Install a low concrete block wall.
• Add planks around the perimeter.
• Anchor the canvas securely around the perimeter.
• Add straps/cross cables as required.
• Advantages: excellent wind control, great stability.

C) Ballast bags or distributed ballast (highly exposed sites)

• For very windy sites, the addition of ballast bags or weights distributed over the entire surface of the canvas may be necessary.
• The aim is to prevent the formation of air pockets and reduce fabric movement.

Step 3: Daily handling if you have to open your stack and consume the material gradually.

• If possible, open the stack on the side facing away from prevailing winds.
• Open widthways rather than lengthways to limit air intake.
• Avoid cutting the canvas too high: keep the canvas as low as possible to prevent air from entering underneath.
• At the end of the day, secure the open face with tires, blocks or a bucket of material.

Key success factors

A well-installed canvas should be evenly stretched and bonded as closely as possible to the material it covers. Canvas that flaps in the wind wears out quickly. Pile shape is therefore critical: a convex, uniform and “clean” pile facilitates long-lasting coverage.

Professional installation

Megatex offers installation services throughout Quebec for projects of all sizes.
Our team is used to dealing with different sites and contexts, and finding solutions for every situation. Professional installation increases durability and reduces the risk of tearing.

For farms that need to cover bulk materials outdoors (grain, fertilizer, compost, flour, dry manure, etc.), Megatex offers industrial tarpaulins adapted to Canadian agricultural conditions.

Poly6BB (6 mil laminate)

Ideal for covering batteries that are handled regularly, such as :

• grain and cereals;
• compost and soil improvers;
• granular fertilizers;
• agricultural waste.

Its laminated structure withstands wind, handling by machinery and frequent climatic variations
.
Available in 40 x 120 rolls and custom sizes to suit your needs.

M1080 (HDPE 12 mil, UV-coated)

Recommended for more sensitive materials or when you need to maximize protection against :

• humidity;
• cross-contamination;
• prolonged bad weather.

Highly suitable for high-value grains, food products or materials that need to be kept clean and dry.
Available formats: made-to-measure, large surfaces.

Significant agricultural benefits

• UV resistance;
• customized formats;
• installation compatible with ballast bags;
• for seasonal or annual use.

Canada-wide delivery
We deliver directly to farms, silos, co-op depots and sorting centers.

M1080 (HDPE 12 mil, UV coated)
Recommended for more sensitive materials or when you need to maximize
protection against :

• humidity;
• cross-contamination;
• prolonged bad weather.

Highly relevant for high-value grains, food products or materials that must
remain clean and dry.

Formats available: made-to-measure, large surfaces.

It depends on several key factors. The lifespan of an industrial tarpaulin varies according to :

• the quality and method of canvas installation;
• exposure to wind and weather conditions;
• stack shape and height;
• battery management (frequent opening for equipment consumption or battery left intact).

In practice, a properly installed tarpaulin can last from a few months to around 2 years, and in certain specific cases, up to 3 years.

As each site is unique, the best way to get a realistic estimate is to discuss your situation with our experts, who will be able to recommend the most sustainable solution for your needs.

Yes, industrial tarpaulins are commonly used for dust control on bulk sites.

A well-crafted covering allows you to :

• significantly reduce wind-induced dust dispersion;
• limit emissions when moving machinery ;
• improve environmental compliance and working conditions on the site.

Performance, however, depends on the quality of the toilage and how well the solution is adapted to your site.

The choice depends mainly on stack size and site conditions.

For very large stacks, it is often necessary to use several canvases, as a single canvas of the right size is not always available. In this case, the treatment of the joints between the fabrics is crucial to ensure the durability of the installation.

On windy sites, we recommend sewing the fabrics together directly on site, to avoid air infiltration between the sections, which
could cause movement, premature wear or tearing.

For smaller, less exposed piles, it’s possible to overlap the fabrics, provided they are securely anchored and regularly inspected. This approach is less durable, however, and is not considered the optimum long-term solution.

Megatex manufactures custom-made industrial tarpaulins up to 42,000 square feet, adapted to the realities of your site.
Our specialized team can also take care of the complete installation, to ensure a safe, high-performance and long-lasting covering.

Both materials have their uses, but for the majority of bulk conveyor protection needs in Canada, flexible PVC (industrial vinyl) covers offer a better flexibility/performance/cost ratio.
Here’s a clear comparison.

PVC (industrial vinyl) conveyor cover
– the most versatile option

Major benefits

• Much simpler installation
  → can be handled without a crane, without a fixed structure, suitable for changing environments.
• Ideal for conveyors with frequent access
  → lifts or removes quickly for maintenance, inspection or clearance.
• Very good Canadian weather resistance
  → waterproof, UV-resistant, flexible even in cold weather, good wind resistance.
• Adapts to conveyors of all shapes and lengths → particularly useful in port, agricultural, mining or municipal environments.
• More economical to purchase and replace.
• Significantly reduces noise, an important advantage in sensitive urban or industrial areas.

Some limitations

• Less rigid than steel for installations exposed to falling heavy objects.
• Shorter service life if subjected to intense abrasion.

Galvanized steel conveyor covers – useful,
but more restrictive

Benefits

• Highly rigid, excellent resistance to heavy impact.
• Long service life under optimum conditions.

Major disadvantages

• Heavy, costly installation → often requires machinery, structure and specialized labor.
• Difficult to handle for regular inspections
  → may slow down operations.
• Noisier, especially in industrial environments.
• Can corrode in damp, salty or acidic environments (ports, mines, compost, etc.).

Practical conclusion: PVC vs steel – which
to choose?

In the vast majority of environments where a conveyor of bulk materials (grain, fertilizer, compost, chips, salt, sand, scrap) is covered, the industrial PVC/vinyl solution offers :

• greater flexibility
• lower installation costs
• simpler maintenance
• greater adaptability to conveyor and site variations
• easy replacement without equipment downtime

Steel is particularly relevant when resistance to heavy impacts is the top priority.

For everything else, PVC/industrial vinyl covers are more advantageous, more versatile and more cost-effective.