NOMINATION 06: "Metalac" - technology wastewater treatment

Stock company “Metalac” from Gornji Milanovac put modern wastewater treatment system, which meets all EU standards, in operation at the end of August 2008.

Realization of this project puts "Metalac" in the group of rare dish factories that have managed to solve the problem of enamel water treatment.

The factory of enamel dishes produces about 5m pieces a year. The treatment of enamel wastewater by the EU standards was the aim of company “Metalac” for many years. The works on construction and completion of the wastewater treatment system have been carried out in phases over the period of 15 years. Total of 500,000 EUR was invested in completion of this process in 2008.

INNOVATION

The wastewater treatment unit in the enamel shop in ”Metalac Posuđe“ has been designed by the project of Hungarian company “FESZO-TRADE KFT“ from Budapest. The author of the project is Dr. Žoltnea Lambertus.

Part of the project for treatment of wastewater from the unit for chemical preparation is standard, and it has been applied in many cases. Due to some specific features of the enamel wastewater, which settles relatively quickly because of the high contents of heavy metals, a series of original solutions was introduced in the second part of the project. The planning was done on the basis of the company’s long experience of manual wastewater treatment. When compared to other units in the surroundings, it can be noticed that an important step was taken to ensure continual work and separation of heavy metals.

The complete project was implemented according to the Decision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Waterpower Engineering of Republic of Serbia, no. 325-05- 1227/2006-07 of September 7, 2006, the Regulations governing emission of wastewater into city sewerage system of Gornji Milanovac, as well as the project request of the investor for fulfillment of all requests of the EU regulations if they are stricter than aforementioned acts.

PUBLIC USEFULNESS

By investing in the project for technology wastewater treatment, “Metalac” invested in the future, in healthy growing of children. At the same time, it has reduced water consumption by 50% over the last 15 years, and it has improved the processes of recirculation, which will keep contributing to saving and protection of non-renewable resources.

The project has improved the environment by doing the following:

- enamel waste is reduced through recycling,

- dangerous waste is reduced by cca 30% against overall waste,

- the problem of periodic negative influence of released technological wastewater on the work of the city filter in Gornji Milanovac is reduced/eliminated,

- consumption of technical water is cut by cca 30-40%,

- treated water can be used again as technical water.

“Metalac“ has given new contribution to preservation of our environment, and it has made another step towards reaching of the EU standards for all manufacturers.

COMMERCIAL SUCCESS

The project for treatment of wastewater in the enamel shop and the unit for chemical preparation in ”Metalac Posuđe“ is not commercial by nature, but it results in measureable benefits.

The project is the example of modernization and completion of overall production process, and it is also the statement of social responsibility of company "Metalac". When we take a look at all aspects that were taken in consideration during the planning and realization of the project, as well as all benefits that company obtained (reduction of enamel waste, reduction of dangerous waste, reduction of water consumption, use of recirculation water,..), we can come to the conclusion that the effects of the project are much better than planned.

The price of cubic meter of treated water is twice as low as the price of city water. When the use of the river technical water is not possible (drought), commercial success is obvious. We can expect that the increase in price of water in the future will contribute to the achievement of commercial success.