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Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) represent one of the most significant challenges in pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. These bioactive compounds, essential for drug production, can have significant environmental impacts when released into surface waters, even in minimal concentrations. But what exactly are APIs, and why is their reduction so important?
What are APIs?
APIs are substances responsible for the therapeutic effect of drugs. Designed to interact with specific biological targets in humans and animals, these compounds maintain their biological activity even after being released into the environment . When they reach aquatic ecosystems through industrial wastewater, they can cause harmful effects on aquatic flora and fauna , alter ecosystem balances, and contribute to the worrying phenomenon of antibiotic resistance.
The complexity of pharmaceutical wastewater treatment
Wastewater from the pharmaceutical industry presents unique characteristics that make its treatment particularly complex. Each production site generates wastewater with specific compositions , requiring customised solutions . The presence of APIs, solvents, and other chemical compounds requires a combined treatment approach, combining different technologies to ensure effective treatment of all contaminants.
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How to reduce APIs in wastewater
Veolia is at the forefront of this field, offering a complete portfolio of innovative API reduction technologies:
- Evaporation: Evaporation technology not only reduces the volume of wastewater containing APIs by over 90% but also allows the recovery of reusable technical water, significantly contributing to the circular economy of the production process.
- MBBR: eXeno is an advanced biological solution that harnesses the power of specialised microorganisms and, through a multi-stage process, effectively degrades APIs and other organic compounds, ensuring high efficiency even at peak loads. Its flexibility makes it ideal for both new installations and for upgrading existing systems.
- Ozone: Ozone is one of the most effective solutions for treating the most resistant APIs. Thanks to its high oxidising power, it can break down complex molecules into simpler, less harmful compounds. Its application, both as a primary treatment and as a finishing step, guarantees excellent results in the treatment of particularly persistent APIs.
- Claiflocculation and activated carbon: Actiflo Carb combines accelerated clariflocculation with the use of powdered activated carbon. The result is an extremely efficient system for reducing micropollutants, ensuring high performance with a small footprint.
The implementation of these innovative technologies allows pharmaceutical companies to comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations and significantly reduce disposal costs , while also offering the possibility of recovering and reusing water in the production process. This approach not only minimises environmental impact but also contributes to improving the company's overall sustainability.
The future of API wastewater treatment
Responsible management of APIs in wastewater is not only a regulatory requirement but an ethical imperative for the modern pharmaceutical industry. Veolia's innovative technologies enable companies to combine production efficiency with environmental sustainability, protecting water resources for future generations.
Reducing APIs from wastewater is a complex challenge that requires expertise, technology, and commitment. With the right solutions and an integrated approach to water treatment, this challenge can be transformed into an opportunity to innovate and improve the sustainability of the pharmaceutical industry. Learn more about the solutions offered by Veolia Water Tech.
