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Fibre Loss Challenge

Paper mills lose significant fibre in white water and process streams, representing lost product and increased raw mater

High Organic Loading

Wastewater streams frequently carry organic loads 5-50x higher than domestic sewage, demanding robust biological or physical-chemical treatment capacity.

Variable Conditions

Temperature, pH, flow, and concentration swings between production shifts create treatment instability without proper equalisation and buffering.

Biological Sensitivity

Shock loads, toxins, or pH extremes can kill beneficial biomass. Protection mechanisms like equalisation and pH correction are essential.

Fat, Oil & Grease

High FOG content causes pipe blockage, flotation cell failure, and membrane fouling. Effective pre-treatment prevents downstream operational issues.

Complex Chemistry

Variable chemical composition from cleaning agents, process chemicals, and raw materials requires adaptable treatment chemistry and dosing control.

Regulatory Pressure

Discharge consents are tightening continuously. Treatment must not only meet current limits but accommodate future reductions without major rebuild.

Recovery Technologies

Our fibre recovery systems include savealls, disc filters, and flotation units that efficiently separate and concentrate

Water Reuse

Tertiary-treated effluent suitable for cooling towers, washdown, irrigation, and process make-up. Reduces freshwater consumption by 30-70% with appropriate treatment.

Biogas Recovery

Anaerobic treatment of high-COD waste produces 0.35-0.45 m³ biogas per kg COD removed. Can displace 15-30% of natural gas in boilers or generate electricity via CHP.

Protein & Nutrient Recovery

Concentrated protein streams from rendering and processing can be recovered for animal feed or fertiliser. Screening and DAF concentrate solids for valorisation.

Fat & Oil Recovery

CPI and DAF separators recover valuable fats and oils from wastewater. Recovered tallow and grease have commercial value for biofuel and oleochemical industries.

Land Application

Treated effluent with controlled nutrient content can be applied to agricultural land as fertiliser. Requires nitrogen and phosphorus balancing to prevent over-application.

Cost Offset

Resource recovery outputs and reduced disposal requirements can reduce treatment overheads by 10-30%. Detailed feasibility studies quantify performance targets before investment.

Economic Benefits

Fibre recovery systems typically deliver value within 1-2 years through raw material benefits. Recovery rates of 80-

Reduced Operating Requirements

Efficient process design, energy optimisation, and automated chemical dosing cut power and reagent bills by 20-40% compared to conventional plants.

Environmental Compliance

Consistently meets discharge consent limits, avoiding fines, prosecutions, and reputational damage. Monthly compliance reports satisfy regulators.

Water Reuse Potential

High-quality effluent suitable for non-potable applications — cooling tower make-up, washdown, and irrigation — reducing freshwater consumption.

Operational Reliability

Duty/standby equipment, automated controls, and predictive maintenance minimise downtime. 95-98% availability targets with rapid response support.

Future Expansion

Modular design with spare connection points and over-sized aeration capacity allows 30-50% flow increase with minimal additional Capital expenditure.

Sustainability Credentials

Energy-efficient design, biogas recovery, and water reuse support BREEAM, LEED, and corporate ESG targets. Demonstrable carbon footprint reduction.

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Pulp & Paper Wastewater Treatment

Pulp and paper mill effluent contains lignin, cellulose fibres, extractives, bleaching chemicals, and high COD loads. Treatment must address colour, toxicity from chlorinated organics (AOX), and high solids content while enabling water recycling to reduce freshwater intake. Our integrated solutions combine primary fibre recovery, biological treatment, and advanced oxidation for colour and AOX removal.

Fibre Recovery

Save-all systems and DAF units recover valuable fibre for return to the paper machine.

Whitewater Treatment

Closed-loop water circuits reduce freshwater consumption by 60-90% in modern mills.

AOX Removal

Advanced oxidation and anaerobic biological processes reduce chlorinated organics below discharge limits.

Colour Removal

Specialised coagulants and ozone treatment decolourise effluent for receiving water protection.

Design Parameters

COD Range1,500 – 15,000 mg/L (kraft bleaching at higher end)
BOD Loading300 – 2,500 mg/L
TSS Loading100 – 1,500 mg/L (fibre loss dependent)
AOX LoadingUp to 15 kg AOX/tonne pulp (ECF bleaching)
pH Range6.0 – 10.0 (alkaline extraction stage influence)
Temperature30 – 60°C (hot process water)
Water Reuse Target10 – 50 m³/tonne paper (modern closed circuits)
Sludge Yield0.3 – 0.6 kg DS/kg COD removed

Industry Compliance

BAT Reference

EU BREF for pulp and paper production guides Best Available Technique selection.

Water Framework Directive

Effluent quality supports good ecological status of receiving waters.

Zero Liquid Discharge

Evaporation and crystallisation options for mills targeting complete water recycling.

Need help with fibre recovery?

Our experts can design a system tailored to your specific requirements.

Industries We Serve

Our expertise spans multiple industries with sector-specific water treatment solutions.