Paint manufacturing plant facing environmental issues

Situation

A latex paint manufacturer cannot discharge any of its process effluent to drain, based on a contract with the municipality governing their facilities. The plant generates wastewater as part of their cleaning process, and their wastewater treatment system is using conventional treatment, with limited results due to varying loads and pigments to be treated.

Problem

Consistent results are not obtained by the plant, due to the aging equipment and mostly to the limitations of the chemicals used for treating the water and paint mixtures. Large volumes of poorly treated or untreatable wastewater have to be trucked away at a significant cost for the plant. And powders were being used, causing handling and dust issues.

Solution

Magnus implemented a POLYMAG^MD program consisting of an all-liquid three step treatment, using coagulation and flocculation. Coaching and training of the operating staff made a huge difference in the proper use of the program.

Results

A simpler and safer treatment process allows for all types of pigments to be treated, at a faster rate. Wastewater volumes that previously needed to be trucked away are now treated on-site, and the treated water being of greater quality allows the plant to re-use it to produce new paint.