EN | DE

Belgium | 21.05.2026 | Case Studies

Building the First In‑Plant Logistics Model

How TALKE designed, built, and operated a fully outsourced in-plant logistics system for a polypropylene plant in Belgium.

Project Overview

Key project facts at a glance

A quick overview of the project context, scope, and operational setup.

Location

Belgium

Client

North Sea Petrochemicals

Industry

Petrochemicals

Project Type

BOOT model

Capacity

180,000 MT/year

Start

1989

In-Plant Logistics Transformation

When production works - but everything after it doesn’t

There is a point in many chemical plants where production runs as planned - but everything beyond that starts to slow down.

Packaging lines become inefficient, logistics creates bottlenecks, and costs begin to rise.

This was exactly the situation a newly built polypropylene plant in Belgium faced in the late 1980s - and the moment where TALKE introduced a completely new approach to in-plant logistics.

What followed would go on to redefine how in-plant logistics is managed across the industry.

Client Challenge

Although the plant had been designed for large-scale production, a critical gap quickly emerged between production and shipment.

While engineering and production processes were well defined, logistics operations remained unstructured—creating inefficiencies at the most critical point in the value chain.

At the time, there was no established model for outsourcing in-plant logistics. At the same time, labor costs in Europe were rising, and the expertise required to manage complex packaging and logistics operations was not available internally.

No clear separation between production and logistics operations
Increasing labor and operational costs
Lack of in-house logistics expertise
Risk of bottlenecks affecting overall plant performance
Need to build and manage a completely new operational function

Without a structured solution, the efficiency and reliability of the entire plant would have been at risk.

Our Approach

A completely new model for in-plant logistics

TALKE introduced a completely new approach to in-plant logistics - one that fundamentally changed how production and logistics interact. Instead of requiring the client to build up a separate logistics organization, TALKE assumed full responsibility for designing, building, and operating the entire logistics system. This created a clear structure, reduced complexity, and ensured that logistics became a reliable and scalable part of the overall operation.

Full Responsibility

End-to-end logistics responsibility

TALKE designed and built a dedicated logistics facility tailored to the plant’s requirements.

Under a BOOT model (Build, Own, Operate, Transfer), TALKE assumed full responsibility for operations, maintenance, and performance—ensuring reliability and removing operational burden from the client.

Explore in-plant logistics solutions

Operational Model

Efficiency and control

The solution introduced a clear separation between production and logistics operations, eliminating coordination gaps and delays.

With full control over processes, maintenance, and workforce management, TALKE ensured high operational efficiency and consistent performance from day one.

See TALKE in action

Proven Impact

35+ YEARS OF CONTINUOUS OPERATION AND INDUSTRY IMPACT

The solution was launched in 1990 - and continues to operate successfully more than three decades later. TALKE became the first company to implement a fully outsourced in-plant logistics model in the petrochemical industry. Within a year, competitors began to replicate the approach.

What started as a single project has since evolved into a proven model applied across regions and industries.

Download full case study (PDF)

Setting the standard for in-plant logistics

This project marked the beginning of a new way of thinking about in-plant logistics - one that separates production from operational complexity and assigns clear responsibility for performance.

What was introduced in Belgium has since evolved into a scalable model applied across regions and industries, from Europe to the Middle East and the United States.

Today, this approach allows chemical manufacturers to focus fully on their core production while ensuring that logistics operations run efficiently, reliably, and at scale.