A.T.E. HUBER Envirotech: Pioneering Sustainable Wastewater Solutions in the Food Industry

A.T.E. HUBER Envirotech stands as a testament to growth created by customer satisfaction, in turn built on continuous innovation in the industrial wastewater treatment sector. In an insightful conversation, Mr Balasubramaniam Rajagopal, (Bala) General Manager – Industrial Wastewater at A.T.E. HUBER Envirotech, shared the company’s journey and the strides they have made in the wastewater treatment industry. “Our company was established in 2000.  It became part of the A.T.E, group in 2008. Since 2014, we have been closely working with HUBER SE, a German establishment with over 150 years of experience. This culminated in the creation of A.T.E. HUBER Envirotech Private Limited through a joint venture between A.T.E. and HUBER, SE, Germany, in 2017” Bala explained.

Revolutionising wastewater treatment in the food industry

A.T.E. HUBER Envirotech has made significant inroads in providing wastewater treatment solutions across various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, oil and beverages, distilleries, and textiles. In the food industry, their approach to wastewater treatment is particularly noteworthy. “Unlike many others who rely primarily on chemical treatment, we offer a biological-based wastewater treatment solution. This not only reduces chemical consumption, but also minimises sludge generation and power usage while decreasing the overall physical footprint of the plant,” Bala said.

The company’s innovative technology has been widely recognised by leading brands such as Haldiram’s, Chitale Dairy, Gokul Dairy, Purity Agro Ventures and many others. “Haldiram’s, for example, has adopted our technology in several of their projects. We are currently working on our fourth consecutive project with them, having already implemented our solutions across all their Nagpur plants. We are also engaged in an effluent treatment plant with Aakash Foods in Kolkata, a sister concern of Haldiram’s,” Bala shared. The company’s long-term collaborations with other clients like Chitale Dairy and Gokul Dairy, Indorama Group further underscore the effectiveness and reliability of their technology and services after sales.

Sustainable and cost-effective solutions

A.T.E. HUBER Envirotech’s approach to wastewater treatment is focussed on sustainability and efficiency. According to Bala, their AVR-HDF® technology, for instance, can reduce the footprint up to 30% and reduce COD up to 85% to 90% in the 1^st stage along with significant reductions in power consumption and overall tank volume. “This not only lowers civil construction costs, but also makes the technology more environmentally friendly and sustainable. Our focus on biological treatment over chemical alternatives means our solutions are better for the environment and cost-effective for our clients,” Bala pointed out.

The company’s anaerobic-based wastewater treatment system also offers the added benefit of producing methane gas, which can be utilised to power the boilers and other equipment. “For instance, Haldiram’s generates about 162 cubic meters of gas per hour from two of their plants, which they then use in their boiler and other equipment and save on fuel cost. The sludge generated from this process is also valuable – it has a high nutrient value and can be dried and used as fertiliser," Bala highlighted.

A.T.E. HUBER Envirotech’s sludge dryers, engineered using three years of geographical data (including monsoon, summer, and winter conditions), can dry sludge up to 90% making it easy for reuse. It also avoids accumulation of wet sludge during monsoon.

Client-centric approach and industry leadership

A.T.E. HUBER Envirotech is specialised in devising schemes that solve a client’s specific problems. “We believe in building trust by delivering the right solutions. That’s why we have a high rate of repeat orders”, Bala emphasised. The company has executed over 300 projects globally, with 41% of their business coming from repeat orders, reflecting the trust and satisfaction of their customers.

A.T.E. HUBER Envirotech’s research and development efforts are central to its innovative approach. “We focus on green technologies, conducting up to a 28-day batch reactor test to assess effluent characteristics, which helps us determine the feasibility of biological treatment for complex industrial wastewater”, Bala noted. This commitment to understanding client-specific needs reduces technical risks and allows the company to deliver customised, sustainable solutions that effectively address challenges.

Showcasing innovation at Anuga FoodTec India

This year marked A.T.E. HUBER Envirotech’s debut at Anuga FoodTec India, a leading global trade fair for the food and beverage industry held at Bombay Exhibition centre Mumbai, from 28 to 30 August 2024. Bala, expressed enthusiasm about the event, stating, “We’ve already connected with some genuine clients here, and we see this as a valuable platform to showcase our innovative technologies to a broader and more diverse audience.”

At their stall, A.T.E. HUBER Envirotech displayed a range of innovative solutions, including complete wastewater treatment, recycling, zero liquid discharge, and sludge management technologies. “We’re particularly proud to demonstrate how our sludge dryers can dry sludge up to 90%, making it usable as fertilizer or a substitute in boilers”, Bala added.

Asides from providing a stage for the company to demonstrate its cutting-edge solutions, the event also opened doors for future collaborations and business expansion in an industry that increasingly values sustainable and efficient wastewater management solutions.

Vision for the future

A.T.E. HUBER Envirotech has ambitious plans to expand its client base in the food industry. “Currently, we have about a dozen clients in the food industry, and our goal is to increase that number to at least 100 over the next five years. We are committed to expanding our portfolio of sustainable technologies, delivering excellent projects, and building strong customer relationships,” Bala revealed.

With their unwavering focus on innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, A.T.E. HUBER Envirotech is poised to lead its clients’ industries into a greener future. Their cutting-edge wastewater treatment solutions have positioned them as a trusted partner for businesses across various industries. Mr Balasubramaniam Rajagopal’s message to potential clients is clear: “Seeing is believing. We invite you to visit some of our projects with us and see our technology firsthand.”

For more information, please visit their website at www.atehuber.com or contact them to schedule a demonstration.