The client

SOLAREC, the largest dairy in the Belgian Ardennes (1.6 billion liters of milk/year), is committed to minimising its environmental impact while optimizing its water resource management. With a constant increase in its production capacity, the site had to adapt its water treatment infrastructures to meet strict legal constraints and water supply challenges.

The challenge

Strict environmental compliance: maintaining a maximum discharge of 1800 m³/day, eliminating dependence on city water, and maintaining water quality according to standards. Currently, the wastewater treatment plant processes 3200m³/day = 2600 recirculated and 600 m³ of additional water.

  • Reducing fats and pollutants in the discharge to improve the performance of the wastewater treatment plant.

  • Resource optimisation: reducing dependence on potable water and increasing water reuse on-site.

  • Adaptability to an increase in production capacities: moving froma treatment of 65 m³/h to 135 m³/h to support growth.

The solution

2012: Initial rescue of the wastewater treatment plant

  • Installation of a buffer tank to stabilize hydraulic flows and a DAF (Dissolved Air Flotation) to reduce fats.

  • Result: 99% fat elimination, ensuring that discharges meet standards.

2014: Implementation of POTA 1 (reuse)

  • Design of an advanced treatment unit using technologies such as Bio-protector, Ultrafiltration (UF), Reverse Osmosis (RO), and Chlorine Dioxide Disinfection.

  • Production flow of reusable water: 50 m³/h (1200m³/day), intended for a short circuit.

2017: Extension with POTA 2 (reuse)

  • Addition of a MBR (Membrane Bioreactor) system on the effluent, RO, disinfection, increasing the production of reusable water by 17 m³/h (400m³/day). DAF on the balance of the effluent, evacuation of light bio-sludge (selection)

  • Result: Wastewater treatment plant capacity increased to 115 m³/h thanks to improved biology.

2023: POTA 3 with CaptuRO™ (reuse)

  • 2nd MBR line and integration of an innovative solution with CaptuRO™, producing an additional 42 m³/h (1000m³/day) of reused water.

  • Wastewater treatment plant capacity increased to 135 m³/h (3200m³/day)

In 2023, SOLAREC took a new step by adopting CaptuRO™, an advanced reverse osmosis water treatment and reuse solution developed by Veolia Water Technologies.

Why is CaptuRO™ a game-changer?

  • It has the ability to eliminate complex pollutants without resorting to intensive chemical treatments.

  • It has a reduced carbon footprint, thanks to its energy-efficient design.

  • It is a high-efficiency hydraulic system, enabling a significant reduction in water footprint.

  • It features optimized semi-batch operation, limiting fouling and biofouling, which extends the life of the membranes and reduces maintenance needs.

CAPTURO, therefore, aligns itself with an approach combining technological innovation and sustainability, perfectly meeting SOLAREC's environmental and economic objectives.