First Biothane plant in Czech Republic

Delft, May, 2010 - In partnership with the local Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies (VWS) subsidiary VWS MEMSEP, Biothane supplies anaerobic wastewater treatment to the long-established Czech brewery Svijany. The combined anaerobic and aerobic project includes Biothane's Biobed EGSB (Expanded Granular Sludge Bed) technology and an upgrade of the existing aerobic treatment. Commissioning will start shortly as the start-up of the installation will be in summer 2010.

Svijany Brewery, located approximately 80km outside Prague, appointed VWS MEMSEP as the main contractor for the treatment of the site's wastewater. Due to the extension of the brewery´s production capacity, a revised wastewater treatment has become necessary.Biothane's scope in this project is the wastewater's anaerobic treatment, with a 900m3 maximum daily capacity. The anaerobic part of the process will remove more than 70% of the organic pollutants present in wastewater. Considering potential expansion of the production in the future, the layout of the treatment plant leaves the option for a second anaerobic reactor. The utilization of the produced biogas from the anaerobic process is another advantage. The brewery will indeed use the biogas in a CHP (Combined Heat and Power) unit to heat up the wastewater for anaerobic treatment. At the same time, the CHP unit will produce electricity that will minimize the plant's impact on the environment.
" The combined strength of the two VWS subsidiaries has made the project especially attractive for the client. It is a first step for Biothane to introduce its technologies to the Czech market." says Erik Draber, Biothane's area manager of the project.
 

Biothane and VWS Memsep are part of Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies (VWS). VWS is a subsidiary of Veolia Water and a leading design & build company and specialized provider of technological solutions in water treatment. With over 9.500 employees in 57 countries, Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies recorded revenue of 2.5 billion Euros in 2009.

Veolia Water, the water division of Veolia Environment, is the world leader in water and wastewater services. Specialized in outsourcing services for municipal authorities, as well as industrial and service companies, Veolia Water provids water service to 95 million people and wastewater service to 66 million. With 98,789 employees in 66 countries, its 2009 revenue amounted to € 12.5 billion.