Sustainable use of water and at the same time "Best project from the SME sector"
We would like to thank the RC-Jury of the German Chemical Industry Association (VDI) for the high recognition.
Targeted wastewater pre-treatment - to relieve the municipal sewage treatment plant
The initiative to relieve the sewage treatment plant came from the municipality of Münster. As the number of inhabitants increased, the sewage treatment plant reached its capacity limits. In addition, the cosmetics production process produces special wastewater that cannot be treated in the sewage treatment plant, as these are emulsions that require specific separation.
To support and relieve the sewage treatment plant, a separate flotation plant was put into operation to pre-treat the wastewater. This plant works automatically and continuously feeds the treated water into the municipal sewage treatment plant. This measure makes it possible to reliably comply with all limit values in the wastewater treatment plant's effluent. In addition, a buffer was created for the overloaded plant.
The flotation system - effective and efficient
The wastewater is collected in two mixing and equalisation tanks so that the addition of chemicals (caustic soda, flocculants and flocculation aids) can be kept relatively constant and overdosing can be avoided by equalising the wastewater.
To ensure the stable operation of the system, the chemical feed tanks are equipped with fill level measurements and alarms. The waste water in the mixing and equalisation tanks is kept homogeneous by agitators, which in turn is the basis for the stable addition of chemicals.
The in-house wastewater treatment plant with heat recovery, which was built in 2009, was put into operation in 2016 and has been regulating the quality of the wastewater ever since. Heat recovery takes place via a heat exchange module, with the heat recovered being used to heat water or for heating. This prevents heated water from entering the sewerage system. The combination of heat recovery and water recycling not only promotes the sustainable use of water ecologically and economically, but also reduces the need for heating energy.
Statement of the RC-Jury:
The project is a pioneering example of how optimum solutions for greater environmental protection can be found through constructive dialogue between companies and local authorities. The pre-treatment of production wastewater is an alternative to end-of-pipe solutions in the municipal sewage treatment plant - the company is thus impressively demonstrating its responsible behaviour.
On Thursday, 30 July 2020, the certificate was presented in person by the Managing Director of the Bavarian Chemical Industry Association, Dr. Markus Born, and Dr. Mirja Wehner (VCI) in Münster am Lech in a small ceremony attended by Mr. and Mrs. Schmid, Mr. Dietmar Schmid and the employees involved.
We are delighted to have received the award and would like to thank the Responsible Care jury of the Bavarian Chemical Industry Association (VBCI) for the prestigious recognition and the personal visit to our office in Münster am Lech.
From left: Dr Markus Born Managing Director of the VCI Regional Association of Bavaria, Mr. Dietmar Schmid Managing Director (SK), Mr. Günther Schmid Managing Director (SK), Mr. Jürgen Raab 1st Mayor of Münster, Mrs. Stella Schmid Managing Director (SK), Dr. Mirja Wehner (VCI), Mr. Sebastian Stein (SK-QM/UM/HS/R&D), Mr. Stefan Bawidamann Executive Finance Manager (SK).
