Industry verticals in water and wastewater treatment

We support complex industrial processes with tailored water and wastewater treatment solutions by combining process understanding, proven technologies, and global experience across demanding industries.

One partner for industrial water and wastewater outcomes

We enable industrial operators to simplify water and wastewater delivery by bringing multiple treatment disciplines, products, and lifecycle services together under one solution partner, aligned to performance, compliance, and long-term operational value.

Why this matters:

Reduced interface risk through a single industrial water treatment provider
Connected solutions across process water, wastewater, and sludge streams
Outcomes aligned to discharge consent, water reuse, energy efficiency, and cost control
Scalable solutions applied consistently across industrial sites and sectors
Long-term value through engineered integration, serviceability, and performance accountability

Meat processing and slaughterhouses

Meat processing generates some of the world’s most challenging wastewater, rich in fats, proteins, viscera, and cleaning chemicals. Our comprehensive wastewater treatment solutions have a proven track record at major sites worldwide, enabling reliable compliance, high energy efficiency, and dependable performance even during seasonal surges or rapid production changes.

Proven at global scale: Leading processors across the UK, Europe, the Americas, and Asia rely on our integrated systems, with real-world compliance gains and rapid installation times.
Total solids and Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) control: High-efficiency screens, sieves, robust Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF), and optimized flocculation eliminate fats, oils, grease, and particulates, ensuring low Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) / Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) / Total Suspended Solids (TSS) / Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) for sewer discharge or downstream processes.
OPEX and compliance: Our treatment trains globally record over 90% reduction in TSS, FOG, COD, BOD, phosphorus, and nitrogen ensuring compliance with discharge limits. The payback period is often under two years, thanks to lower surcharges, optimized sludge management, and reduced chemical use.
End-to-end capability: We offer both flexible containerized and permanent solutions: grinding, screening, equalization, mixing and agitation, DAF, aeration, Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR), tertiary filtration (disc, sand, drum, cloth), and sludge handling engineered for operational savings.
Local support, global expertise: Wherever you are, our regional teams provide responsive service, digital monitoring, and ongoing technical support throughout the lifecycle of your project.

Request a no-obligation process review or pilot trial to see how our solutions suit your facility, wherever you operate:

Food and beverage (incl. dairy)

Food and beverage production produces highly variable wastewater demanding robust, adaptable treatment. We partner with processors worldwide, from dairy plants and breweries to bakeries and ingredient suppliers, to deliver compliance, cost savings, and future-proof resilience.

Global trust, local delivery: Our technologies operate in top-tier food and beverage plants across every continent, with demonstrated results for TSS, FOG, COD, and nutrient removal.
Peak-flow and process resilience: Self-cleaning screens and sieves, DAF, and biological treatment solutions are built for consistent and reliable contaminant removal, cleaning cycles, and seasonal production changes.
Resource and cost efficiency: Tertiary filtration (disc, drum, sand, or cloth) provides effective TSS capture, whether the solids are free or have been pre-precipitated. This enables water reuse or compliant discharge, supporting water stewardship and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ambitions.
Minimal downtime, scalable upgrades: Fast commissioning, modular integration, and Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) ready controls allow phased improvements without interrupting production.
Service wherever you are: We offer digital monitoring, regional aftersales support, and compliance tools tailored to local regulations and plant needs.

Contact us for a reference case or initial process assessment—discover our reliable, globally proven wastewater solutions:

Pulp, paper and board industry

Paper mills push thousands of cubic meters of wastewater per hour through stock prep and bleaching. Wastewater brims with fibers, fillers, color, and high COD demanding rapid capture, energy‑smart aeration, and sludge handling that never stalls production.

Fiber capture: Belt filters and DAF systems reclaim fibers and trim COD at the head of works.
Organics: Fine‑bubble aeration powered by HST™ turbocompressor magnetic-bearing blower tackle lignin‑based COD with lower energy draw.
Abrasive duty: Hard‑metal pumps and mixers handle gritty pulp slurries without premature wear.
Sludge economy: De-watering presses and cake pumps minimize landfill tonnage.
Automation and monitoring: Our solutions are SCADA/Internet of Things (IoT) compatible for predictive maintenance and remote reporting, maximizing plant reliability.

Ask us how to cut fibre loss, boost uptime, and reduce OPEX in your mill’s effluent line:

Metals and mining

Mine dewatering and metal finishing produce abrasive, pH‑extreme flows carrying heavy metals and grit. The treatment assets must resist wear, maintain flow in remote locations, and meet tough discharge limits.

Heavy solids: Lamella clarifiers with Zickert scrapers and DAF systems capture settleable fines and floating solids, enabling resource recovery or compliant disposal before polishing.
Modular options: Containerized and skid-based treatment lines suit remote or changing mining sites.
Metal removal: disc, cloth, DAF, and sand filters polish out residual TSS before discharge.
Corrosive and abrasive ready: Mixers and pumps built from specialist alloys handle extreme pH and solids, ensuring long life in demanding mining flows.
Remote assurance: IoT-ready sensors and digital modules allow predictive maintenance and full process visibility, delivering robust performance even at unmanned sites.

Discover our rugged, automation-ready solutions for metals & mine wastewater:

Contact us!

Textiles and dyeing

Dye‑house effluent is a complex mix of color, surfactants, salts, and high COD. With strict limits on color and COD, treatment trains must remove dyes, balance salinity, and keep OPEX under control.

Color and TSS removal: Coag‑floc dosing, DAF, and sand or cloth filters strip insoluble dyes and fibers meeting color limits at a low chemical dose.
COD and surfactant load: Fine‑bubble aeration driven by HST™ turbocompressors powers low‑loading activated sludge or Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) stages for reliable COD compliance.
Salt and micro‑pollutant polishing: Micro-filters and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) adsorbers cut Adsorbable Organic Halogens (AOX) and Per- and polyfluoroAlkyl Substances (PFAS) and deliver low‑TSS effluent that is membrane‑ready for future salt rejection or water reuse upgrades.
Resilient pumping and mixing: Corrosion‑resistant pumps and VFD mixers handle alkaline and saline streams shift after shift, backed by our global service network.
Integration and risk mitigation: Flexible and permanent systems are automation compatible, enabling compliance reporting and easy future upgrades for water reuse or salinity control.

Talk to us about Best Available Technology (BAT)‑ready, future-proof dye-house wastewater equipment:

Tanning and leather

Tannery effluent is among the most challenging: rich in hair, fleshings, chromium, sulfides, surfactants, and high organic loads. The equipment must resist corrosion, handle solids surges, and deliver reliable operation through variable batch processing.

Primary separation: Coarse screens and grinders intercept hair, hide, and fleshings, minimizing downstream clogging and wear.
Robust pumping: Duplex and specialist-alloy pumps move abrasive, alkaline, and saline liquors safely.
DAF and FOG removal: Dissolved air flotation systems strip out fats, proteins, and scum for lower downstream organic and odor loads.
Biological and chemical resilience: Turbo blowers and fine-bubble diffusers power high-rate COD and BOD removal in aerobic processes, while tank mixers keep equalization and anerobic tanks stable and odor-free.
Tertiary filtration: DAF, disc, cloth, drum, and sand filters ensure that the final effluent meets tightening TSS and color regulations.
Uptime and compliance: Our solutions integrate with plant automation, helping ensure consistent compliance, fewer shutdowns, and full traceability.

Consult us on BAT-ready, corrosion-resistant, automation-compatible wastewater solutions for tanneries and leather plants:

Landfill leachate

Leachate is unpredictable, rain‑diluted one week, concentrated the next, always high in ammonia and trace organics. Operators need container‑ready systems that self‑adjust and report performance without daily site visits.

Ammonia load: Turbo blowers power high‑rate nitrification for extreme ammonia (NH₃).
Trash tolerance: Screens, submersible pumps and DAF handle grit, plastics, and scum.
Polishing path: Disc, cloth, or sand filters prep water for membranes or Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) when needed.
24/7 insight: Owatec Eye container units stream performance data to the cloud.
Modular digital assurance: All solutions are automation-ready for real-time remote monitoring and compliance reporting, minimizing operator intervention.

Partner with us for automated, containerized, or central leachate treatment:

Petrochemical and chemical

Petrochemical and chemical manufacturing produces effluent with a tough mix of free/emulsified oils, solvents, high-COD/BOD organics, suspended solids, and fluctuating pH. Reliable separation, robust materials, and modular flexibility are essential to meet strict discharge limits and safety standards.

Oil and solids removal: Our engineered oil-water separators (including American Petroleum Institute (API) and Corrugated Plate Interceptor (CPI) designs), advanced DAF systems, and rotary screens target oils, grease, and particulates protecting downstream treatment and reducing COD.
Chemical and pH resilience: A wide range of stainless and duplex-steel pumps, as well as corrosion-resistant and abrasion-resistant equipment, ensures safe transfer of aggressive or variable chemistry.
COD and ammonia reduction: HST™ turbocompressors and fine-bubble diffusers deliver stable COD and BOD removal, with optional MBBR or modular containerized biological units for tight footprints or variable loads.
Metal and micro-pollutant capture: Coagulation/flocculation, together with robust DAF and disc/cloth filters, enables removal of residual metals and solids preparing water for compliant discharge or advanced polishing.
Energy efficiency and safety: Explosive Atmospheres (ATEX) -rated pumps, robust materials, and flexible containerized options provide both operational flexibility and compliance for hazardous areas.
Automation and predictive analytics: All solutions are integration-ready for SCADA or Distributed Control System (DCS), and our BLUE BOX™ enables predictive maintenance on critical pumps.

Contact us for reliable, integration-ready, and compliant wastewater treatment in petrochemical and chemical industries:

Electronics and semiconductors

Chip fabs and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) lines discharge acidic, metal-laden rinses where wastewater must be treated to stringent discharge standards for metals, TSS, and organic load. Our technologies deliver reliable, compliant treatment solutions - preparing water for resource capture, discharge, or further polishing/reuse by specialist vendors.

Chemical precipitation and neutralization: Stainless, lined, and duplex-steel pumps move aggressive acid/alkali streams; vertical and horizontal mixers ensure complete blending in reaction and pH-adjustment tanks.
Coagulation/flocculation and DAF: Automated dosing, high-efficiency DAF, and lamella settlers rapidly separate fine metal precipitates and solids.
Multi-stage filtration: Disc, cloth, sand, and drum filters provide low-TSS effluent and reliable protection for any downstream advanced polishing.
Modular and automation-ready: Containerized systems, including integrated dosing, sensors, and digital controls, offer plug-and-play compliance and effortless audit reporting for new lines or remote sites.
Compliance made easy: Our systems are designed for real-time monitoring, alarms, and easy integration with plant SCADA or customer compliance dashboards.

Speak to us about robust, modular, and automation-ready wastewater solutions for electronics and semiconductor manufacturing:

Cosmetics manufacturing

Cosmetics manufacturing produces variable effluent rich in surfactants, oils, pigments, and preservatives, often with rapid batch changes and foaming risks. Robust, adaptable treatment is critical for consistent compliance and smooth operations.

Oils and solids removal: Self-cleaning screens and DAF units efficiently capture emulsified oils, fats, and product residues minimizing blockages and reducing COD before biological treatment.
Foam-managed aeration: Variable-speed turbo blowers and fine-bubble diffusers provide stable biological treatment while suppressing excess foam from surfactants.
Reliable mixing: Vertical and horizontal mixers and agitators ensure thorough blending in equalization and biological tanks, maintaining stable operation during batch shifts.
Polishing for reuse or discharge: Drum, sand, and cloth filters deliver low-TSS, clear effluent suitable for wash-down, cooling, or safe discharge to sewer.
Modular flexibility and digital monitoring: Containerized and skid-based solutions adapt to new products or process changes and are integration-ready for compliance reporting and resource tracking.

Engage with us for adaptable, digital-ready wastewater treatment solutions in cosmetics production:

Cooling tower sidestream filtration

Effective sidestream filtration keeps industrial cooling water loops free from suspended solids and biological growth—protecting plant assets and optimizing chemical use. Our high-flow Dynasand and disc filters are engineered for large-scale cooling systems.

Reduced chemical use: Removing solids lowers nutrient levels, reducing the demand for biocides and scale inhibitors.
Corrosion risk minimized: Cleaner water limits under-deposit corrosion and formation of galvanic or oxygen-depleted cells on metal surfaces.
Optimized heat transfer: Filters prevent solids and biofilm build-up in plate heat exchangers and tube bundles, maintaining system efficiency.
Lower pump and maintenance costs: Less grit and debris means less wear on pump internal parts, reduced frictional losses, and fewer unplanned outages.
Automation-ready modular options: Skid-mounted and containerized systems integrate with Building Management System (BMS) / Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) for proactive monitoring and rapid retrofit to meet future demands.

Talk to us about reliable, automated side stream filtration for industrial cooling water to improve uptime, efficiency, and total cost of ownership:

Case studies and articles

Case study pages

SALOMIX™ SSA reduces power consumption in pulp mill fiber recovery
Energy savings are high on the daily agenda. The mill was, therefore, keen to install the world’s first SALOMIX SSA agitator and to cut the energy bill, without compromising the process up-time.
Removing pharmaceuticals from water supplies
The current EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive is more than 30 years old, and it has made dramatic improvements to the water quality in European rivers, lakes and seas. However, several pollution challenges remain and are not covered by the current legislation. One of the most prominent is pharmaceutical residues, which are having a detrimental effect on wildlife and human health, leading to a revision of EU Directive 91/271/EEC.
Sulzer pumps improve wastewater treatment in a sugar and bioethanol plant
Tereos is the leading sugar and alcohol producer in the Czech Republic. The factory trusts Sulzer’s equipment for its demanding wastewater applications, like the XFP sewage pumps with Contrablock Plus impellers and Premium Efficiency IE3 motors.