BioprocessH20 works with nature to reduce effluent and pollution in the food and beverage industry.
Food processors specializing in dairy, meat, confectionery, and beverage production are restricted from disposing of animal byproducts or wastewater through standard drainage systems. All forms of waste, whether liquid or solid, require specialized treatment methods before disposal.
The world leader in the sustainable space of wastewater treatment is BioprocessH2O, an American company from Rhode Island that mimics nature in their system designs.
The company offers sustainable water filtration devices that help their clients become EPA-compliant. Their products are adaptable to different industries and global locations.
The company is currently focused on expanding its partnerships within the global food and beverage manufacturing sector, specifically targeting firms that face challenges in managing liquid waste. They are already helping large companies and publicly-traded entities future-proof their factories to meet evolving environmental standards and by doing this the company assists both their clients and the environment.
Current clients include giants like Haribo, Coca Cola and Kraft Heinz. Even the US Border Services trust BioprocessH2O with treating wastewater at their facilities in the US.
BioprocessH20 and Coca Cola
The food and beverage industry faces unique challenges in wastewater management, because effluent produced is diverse and can include biological and organic elements that have special health and environmental risks.
A common theme is the need to reduce biochemical oxygen demand, BOD, in effluent across industries.
Other pollutants vary on whether or not they are present and may include nitrogen and phosphorus, inorganic contaminants, pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Companies that show traces of such problematic pollutants can be met with heavy fines, negative press, environment lawsuits and risks to shareholders.
Current success stories include Hood, which reduced biochemical oxygen (BOD) demand by more than 90% with BioprocessH2O’s sustainable treatment solution. Coca-Cola also upgraded a failing treatment system, to a new MBR system, reducing BOD from 25,000 mg/L to less than 50 mg/L; and Guggisberg Cheese which achieved over 90% BOD reduction for permit compliance.
BioprocessH2O’s main products are a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) and a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR).
Consider the case study of Kraft Heinz which needed to meet new permit limits while accommodating increased production capacity. Consulting with BioprocessH2O Kraft Heinz implemented a comprehensive wastewater treatment system that included an equalization tank, screening, and a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR), achieving effluent quality well within permit limits, with BOD levels below 250 mg/L and TSS levels below 5 mg/L.
How does an MBBR Work? Understanding the Basics
The Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) at its core uses the power of microorganisms to effectively treat wastewater. The solution is made up of biofilm carriers, which are small plastic elements that provide a large surface area for microorganisms to grow on. These are matched with an aeration system that gives oxygen to the biofilm, breaking down pollution using the power of nature.
Current competitors in this space include Ecologix Systems, World Water Works, and Evoqua. BioprocessH2O stands out for deep industry knowledge, customer support, and competitive pricing, says a company spokesperson.
Founded in 2007 with 2 guys and a dog, the company has grown to 20 people to include satellite offices in Western Massachusetts and Florida. The ROI varies from project to project. The quickest ROI, the company notes, was for a product recovery case and was 8 months until they broke even.
Who needs BioprocessH2O? Services are ideal for industries with varying wastewater compositions from landfills, food and beverage, manufacturing, pulp and paper, petrochemical, all the way to mining and cities that need wastewater management. After treatment, the clean water is separated from the carriers and discharged.
When companies work with the leading experts in wastewater management they not only ensure operational sustainability but also set standards among the competition.
Author: Karin Kloosterman
Karin Kloosterman is an award-winning journalist, innovation strategist, and founder of Green Prophet, one of the Middle East’s pioneering sustainability platforms. She has ranked in the Top 10 of Verizon innovation competitions, participated in NASA-linked challenges, and spoken worldwide on climate, food security, and future resilience. With an IoT technology patent, features in Canada’s National Post, and leadership inside teams building next-generation agricultural and planetary systems — including Mars-farming concepts — Karin operates at the intersection of storytelling, science, and systems change. She doesn’t report on the future – she helps design it. Reach out directly to [email protected]
