Water recycling solution generates EUR 30,000 in cost savings for world-leading biosolutions business

Their facility in Tianjin, China, produces enzymes for food and beverage applications as well as laundry detergents, all of which rely on water-intensive processes. An Alfa Laval solution is now helping the facility reuse more water and reduce consumption, improving resource efficiency and profitability while setting an example for responsible water management.

Alfa Laval’s Aldec decanter centrifuge has been incorporated into the wastewater treatment process, contributing to reduced freshwater consumption, reliable operations and annual savings of around EUR 30,000 in new water costs.

King Li, Sales Engineer and a key member of the Alfa Laval decanter team in China, explains:

Enzyme production generates significant volumes of wastewater that need to be treated before discharge or reuse. The decanter dewaters the sludge and supports the wastewater treatment process. The water then undergoes reverse osmosis (RO) treatment, allowing it to be reused at the plant for cooling and other operations. The only thing you can’t do is drink it.”

He continues:

Water is expensive in China and government regulations are driving greater water reuse and recycling. This solution plays an important role in meeting those requirements while reducing freshwater consumption and improving resource efficiency at the plant.”

The efficiency and speed of the new decanter enable it to process around 25 cubic metres of water per hour. This results in drier bacterial waste sludge from the enzyme production process, with 8% less water content. Over time, the reduced sludge volume means less material to transport, helping lower transportation costs and environmental impact.

We have worked closely with the customer for more than 10 years. Throughout this project, our focus has been on ensuring they get the most from the Aldec, from planning and installation to ongoing operation. They were looking for a long-term solution with reliable wear protection in the feed zone and this wastewater decanter centrifuge meets both requirements,” says King Li.

The collaboration included regular visits from decanter process specialist Tim Mikkelsen, a Denmark-based Senior Global Technology Business Developer at Alfa Laval. His expertise supported the optimization of the decanter and other Alfa Laval equipment at the plant.

Representatives from the biosolutions company were also invited to visit Alfa Laval’s factory in Kunshan, China, where the Aldec is manufactured. The visit gave them an opportunity to see the manufacturing process and product quality first-hand and engage directly with the people behind the equipment.

The Aldec was supplied with enhanced wear protection in the feed zone, addressing one of the customer’s key operational requirements. Following the order, extensive planning meetings and training supported a thorough commissioning process and prepared the customer’s team for efficient operation.

As King Li concludes:

This shows that we are not just an equipment supplier. We aim to be a partner throughout the lifetime of the equipment, supporting our customers in maintaining reliable, efficient and profitable operations.”