Fors A/S, a Danish utility company serving the municipalities of Holbæk, Lejre and Roskilde, recently inaugurated its upgraded Svinninge wastewater treatment plant. This significant development marks the first full-scale deployment of Veolia's Cella technology, a novel biofilm solution designed to provide sustainable, compact, and energy-efficient wastewater treatment.

Situated approximately 60 kilometers west of Copenhagen, the Svinninge plant underwent an upgrade to increase treatment capacity by 40% to serve a population equivalent of 6,300, all while adhering to the strictest effluent requirements. This achievement is the result of a collaborative effort between Fors A/S, Krüger A/S (a Danish water and wastewater treatment specialist and subsidiary of Veolia Water Technologies), AnoxKaldnes (a Veolia Water Technologies subsidiary and world leader in biological water purification solutions), and the Danish Environmental Protection Agency through the Environmental Technology Development and Demonstration Program (MUDP).

Cella technology represents a significant advancement in moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) technology. By leveraging high surface-area support material derived from renewable biomass, Cella promotes robust biofilm growth. This innovative and biodegradable solution offers a continuous, all-in-one process for achieving carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus removal with minimal to no dependence on chemicals. Furthermore, the Cella process maximizes energy efficiency and recovery.

"Fors A/S is proud to be a partner in this groundbreaking collaboration and to showcase this state-of-the-art facility, representing the future of wastewater treatment services, to the global community," remarked Henrik Correll, COO of Fors A/S. "Our unwavering commitment to reducing our environmental footprint is a core principle, and we continuously pursue innovative solutions through strategic partnerships. This project exemplifies such a successful collaboration."

Veolia expressed its enthusiasm for the partnership through Anne Le Guennec, Senior Executive Vice President of Worldwide Water Technologies for Veolia. "We are honored to collaborate with Fors A/S on this pioneering project that fosters sustainable progress within the water sector," Ms. Le Guennec stated. "Cella technology represents a transformative development, combining cutting-edge biofilm technology with a resolute commitment to environmental responsibility and resource efficiency. By harnessing renewable materials and optimizing energy consumption, Cella empowers municipalities to decarbonize their operations while simultaneously enhancing treatment capacity and effluent quality."

The Svinninge plant is currently in its startup phase, with a comprehensive sampling program planned to extend through summer 2025. This program aims to meticulously monitor performance and optimize operational processes. Additionally, Veolia's cloud-based digital twin technology, Hubgrade Wastewater Plant Performance, will be implemented to facilitate advanced process control and remote monitoring capabilities.