TANEFTREAT - Demonstration of effective and efficient TANnery EFfluent TREATment using an innovative integrated and compact biological and physical treatment plant

The project aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of a new compact and integrated plant for the treatment of waste produced by the leather tanning industry. In order to present an alternative to BAT, the project aimed to significantly reduce the use of certain dangerous products in the tanning process, cut down the levels of sludge and CO2 produced, improve the cost-benefit ratio and reduce water consumption by recycling. The new process included a combination of process integrated and end-of-pipe measures, including an anaerobic pre-treatment (Chemical Oxygen Demand - COD - breakdown and sulphate reduction), followed by a sulphur bioreactor (sulphide and sulphate is transferred into elementary sulphur) and two reactors for nitrogen removal (partial nitrification and Anammox technology). Activities were implemented at the Hulshof Royal Dutch Tanneries and results included good levels of COD and sulphur removal rates and chemicals and energy use reduction. The process has good replication possibilities for the tannery sector and for other industries with comparable wastewater characteristics (e.g. food industry).