The world’s largest free‑span grain bin has been designed and constructed at the Golden Grain Energy ethanol plant, setting a new benchmark in grain storage infrastructure. This massive storage structure created by Sukup Manufacturing Co. now holds the title for the largest freestanding grain bin of its kind in the world.
The newly built bin features a 165‑foot (50.3 m) diameter and stands 155 feet 7 inches (47.4 m) tall at its peak, giving it an enormous free‑span roof structure without internal supports. With 30 rings of construction and a storage capacity of up to 2.25 million bushels of grain, the bin dramatically enhances on‑site grain storage capability and stands as one of the most impressive structures in agricultural design.
Construction began in September 2020 and was completed around 2021, marking a major upgrade for the Golden Grain Energy facility. The record‑setting grain bin replaces a previous bin that Sukup also manufactured which had a 156‑foot diameter solidifying the company’s leadership in designing large‑scale grain storage solutions.
According to industry reports, this colossal structure can hold enough grain to fill more than 2.2 million bushels and increase the plant’s storage capacity significantly, enabling more efficient handling of incoming crops and supporting year‑round processing operations.
The world’s largest free‑span grain bin stands as a landmark in agricultural innovation and infrastructure a testament to modern engineering meeting the demands of large‑scale crop storage and processing.
