Ecologix Drives Wastewater Treatment Modernization in the Paper Industry

Ecologix Environmental Systems has strengthened its position as a strategic partner for the pulp, paper, and tissue industry by implementing advanced wastewater treatment solutions. Central to its approach are wastewater treatability studies — small-scale trials using a facility’s actual wastewater to validate proposed solutions before major investments are made. These studies reduce investment risk, ensuring that system upgrades or overhauls are both sustainable and cost-effective.

The company is recognized for its expertise in applying Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) technology, which is particularly effective for wastewater streams with high lignin, cellulose, and chemical loads that often overwhelm conventional activated sludge systems. This method uses plastic carriers that provide extensive surface area for biofilm growth, potentially doubling or tripling the treatment capacity of existing tanks, even in limited spaces and under fluctuating loads.

 

Ecologix enhances this technology with its proprietary Eco-Chip MBBR media, designed to maximize biofilm growth and improve treatment efficiency. The company also specializes in retrofitting failing systems, converting old basins into MBBR or Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) units, significantly reducing capital costs and installation downtime compared to new builds.

A recent project at a large paper mill in Oklahoma illustrates the impact of these solutions. After years of struggling with an overloaded, non-compliant biological system that triggered odor complaints, the facility was retrofitted by Ecologix with an MBBR system. The upgrade eliminated compliance and odor issues, improved operational efficiency, and lowered costs, while also incorporating a fully automated sludge dewatering system and modernized controls.

With a comprehensive approach that spans from initial studies and engineering design to fabrication, installation, and commissioning, Ecologix delivers proven solutions that increase capacity, enhance resilience, and reduce costs — paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable wastewater future in the paper industry.