From cost center to value creator
Many companies still view wastewater treatment as a necessary cost of doing business. Too often, the focus is placed on the one-time capital investment (CAPEX), while the long-term operational costs (OPEX) are underestimated. In reality, it is OPEX that accumulates year after year and ultimately determines profitability.
Traditional physical-chemical treatment systems typically cost between €1.50 and €4.00 per m³ of treated wastewater. A well-designed, low-OPEX installation can reduce these costs to below €0.50 per m³. In practice, this difference can translate into savings of hundreds of thousands of euros per year.
At Colubris, we go a step further. We show that wastewater treatment does not only need to be more cost-efficient, it can also create value.
Traditional Treatment: Compact, but expensive to operate
Traditional physical-chemical treatment systems are often selected because they are compact and relatively low in upfront investment. However, these advantages come with significant operational drawbacks:
- High chemical consumption
- High sludge production
As a result, operating costs quickly rise to €1.50–€4.00 per m³. Modern non-chemical, or partially non-chemical, treatment concepts reduce OPEX to below €0.50 per m³. Even when the initial investment is higher, these systems typically achieve payback within two to three years.
From cost center to value creation
Many wastewater streams—especially in the food industry—contain valuable components such as proteins and fats. From an economic perspective, these resources are far more valuable than the biogas they are often converted into.
- Proteins: €4 – €10 per kg (dry matter)
- Fats: approx. €1.50 per kg
- Biogas: approx. €0.25 per kg
Recovering these components is therefore significantly more attractive than digesting them. Colubris specializes in the separation and recovery of these valuable resources. By doing so, wastewater treatment shifts from a pure cost center to a process that generates tangible economic value.
Need financing? We can help.
Low-OPEX treatment solution may require a higher upfront investment. When capital is not immediately available, Colubris can support clients with bank financing, subsidies and export financing.
This removes financing as a barrier and allows organizations to focus on selecting the most economically sustainable solution.
Conclusion
Choosing a low-OPEX approach means:
- Structurally reducing operational costs
- Recovering valuable resources from wastewater streams
- Improving both economic and environmental sustainability