--- title: How to Reduce APIs and Reuse Wastewater in Pharmaceutical Industrial Processes description: Learn how Veolia Water Technologies uses innovative MBBR systems to reduce APIs and treat pharmaceutical wastewater sustainably. 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[Pharmaceuticals & cosmetics](https://blog.veoliawatertechnologies.ie/?tid=97707974619) - [Wastewater Treatment](https://blog.veoliawatertechnologies.ie/?tid=103900340922) # How to Reduce APIs and Reuse Wastewater in Pharmaceutical Industrial Processes ![Luca Pigat](https://blog.veoliawatertechnologies.ie/hubfs/VWT%20ITALY/Blog%20VWT%20Italy/Foto%20profilo%20per%20sito.png) by Luca Pigat 13 May 2025 2 minutes read [![Reset](https://blog.veoliawatertechnologies.ie/hubfs/raw_assets/public/vwt-uk/images/back-arrow-icon.svg) Back](https://blog.veoliawatertechnologies.ie) Follow Connect with us ## **How to Reduce APIs and Reuse Wastewater in Pharmaceutical Industrial Processes** ### **The Goals of HSE Managers for Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plants** Downstream from the **pharmaceutical industry**, wastewater increasingly needs to be treated to meet discharge limits into surface water bodies. These effluents often contain organic compounds - such as **COD, nitrogen, phosphorus** - and within the COD, also residual organic molecules from **APIs** (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients). ![Tabella](https://www.veoliawatertechnologies.it/sites/g/files/dvc3046/files/styles/default/public/image/2023/03/Tabella%20NCF.png?itok=w7LnRR-u) Since the first pharma MBBR plant in 1997, [**Veolia’s AnoxKaldnes biological technologies**](https://www.veoliawatertechnologies.ie/solutions/technologies/anoxkaldnes-mbbr) have evolved far beyond traditional suspended growth activated sludge systems. We’re talking about **MBBR (Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor) - a system using biomass attached to mobile carriers** that are mixed within a biological tank. It’s a **compact** solution, ideal for sites with limited space. MBBR is **suitable for APIs that are moderately or poorly biodegradable.** There are also many upgrades of existing plants using CAS (Conventional Activated Sludge), which have been retrofitted with MBBR sections to improve their efficiency. **Biological treatment** refers to using **microorganisms** instead of chemical agents - a more sustainable approach, aligned with BAT (Best Available Techniques), for treating biodegradable substances. In some pharmaceutical plants, [**MBBR eXeno™ technology**](https://www.veoliawatertechnologies.ie/technologies/exeno-micropollutant-removal) **(Ozone + MBBR)** has been applied as a final **polishing stage to reduce effluent toxicity.** **Case Study: MBBR at Grindeks for Meldonium Treatment** The effluent flow of 200–500 m³/day is very complex in terms of COD (2000–7000 mg/l), nitrogen (100–200 mg/l), total phosphorus (8 mg/l), TSS (50 mg/l), and pH (4–10). In every new project, the first step involves **analysing composite samples** collected on-site and filtered at 1.6 μm. Sampling frequency depends on the production batch schedule - e.g., two samples per week over four weeks. Then, in our laboratories, we built a scaled **MBBR pilot plant** and ran it for two months. After successful testing, the full-scale plant is built. In Grindeks, the plant consists of five MBBR sections in series to remove COD, nitrogen, phosphorus and phenols - a full setup for nitrification and denitrification. In standard biological treatment systems, all aerobic tanks with suspended biomass use the same type of microorganisms. However, **with MBBR compartments, bacteria specialise in removing specific types of contaminants.** The first section removes readily biodegradable COD, followed by sections that target more persistent COD. Many other moderately biodegradable compounds have also been effectively treated: \- Ketoprofen (75% removal with MBBR, only 10% with CAS) - Gemfibrozil (73% MBBR, 15% CAS) For poorly biodegradable compounds: - Clofibric Acid (25% MBBR, 8% CAS) \- Diclofenac (22% MBBR, 4% CAS) [**Veolia Water Technologies**](https://www.veoliawatertechnologies.ie/about-us/company-profile) complements its pharmaceutical wastewater treatment expertise with technologies for low-boiling compounds and antibiotics (e.g., Clindamycin, Gabapentin) **using** [**Evaled technology**](https://www.veoliawatertechnologies.ie/solutions/technologies/evaled)**.** For hydrocarbon solvent residues from synthesis processes, Veolia offers **MPPE (Macro Porous Polymer Extraction) technology**. **Download the White Paper on eXeno: The MBBR System for Treating Wastewater from Pharmaceutical Industries** [![Download the white paper on eXeno™: the MBBR system for treating wastewater from pharmaceutical industries](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/25605683/interactive-235469298879.png)](https://blog.veoliawatertechnologies.ie/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLhneBQshrofCymI0PELgA15LyGTD6%2FePZaCpl00pqQVIyPJ7DlzqwQ6xYiXpMNX7%2BWWsyIEDf5513uBQNJT%2F7ADW9EN6cEAVRAerq8s7kNUsUSEmV95VI2DjqobLCKSi8w%2BZF0zSfRr6esfhVEenwm71xATdwig4v%2B0rWpY%2F1AYhC4EvZBItwMkQALbkHnAkkXV9wwWIh61hcQ5JBXNKQPJwPP9jrbuVfIM%2FnmnUiUjHVTSJ5NGXEmOcUEVk0L&webInteractiveContentId=235469298879&portalId=25605683) ## Tags - [Pharmaceuticals & cosmetics](https://blog.veoliawatertechnologies.ie/?tid=97707974619) - [Wastewater Treatment](https://blog.veoliawatertechnologies.ie/?tid=103900340922) ## Related articles ![Subscribe](https://blog.veoliawatertechnologies.ie/hubfs/vwt-uk/subscribe.jpg) ## Sign up to blog notifications Receive the latest blog updates. {|error|} By checking this box, you agree to **Veolia Water Technologies's** [Privacy Policy](https://www.veoliawatertechnologies.ie/privacy-policy-veolia-water-technologies) and you agree to receive information on our products and services. 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