CASE HISTORY: UK Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company
APPLICATION:Treatment of High-Strength Organic and Fermentation Wastes

Challenge
• A pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the UK with annual sales of approximately $29.0 billion had increased production of fermentation wastes beyond the capacity of their waste treatment plant to the amount of 100,000 gallons/day with a COD of approximately 85,000 mg/L. The facility also desired to implement treatment without triggering off-site sludge disposal problems in anticipation of needing to meet EU regulations for organic wastes in landfills.

• The facility also desired to implement treatment and prevent off-site release of target compounds that were manufactured at the plant.

Solution
• PMC BioTec performed pilot work and other feasibility analyses for implementing AFC treatment of target wastes.

• An extended and detailed VE (Value Engineering) study was completed by an independent Consultant and verified the selection of the AFC process is easily the most cost effective option.

Bottom Line
• Evaluated Cost was $10 million less than the next lowest of 12 evaluated alternatives according to the Consultant’s VE study

• System has been in operation from October 2002 to Present

• Off-site disposal of sludge has been virtually eliminated

• Facility will be compliant with EU land disposal regulations and ban against disposal of organics in landfills

• GMO discharges were radically reduced