Packaging WWTP serves flexo/gravure printing, corrugated board, flexible packaging (foil) and PET bottling plants. Sector produces moderate-difficulty effluent with water-based inks, solvent residues and adhesives.
Packaging effluent: COD 1,000-5,000 mg/L, BOD 300-1,500 mg/L, high color (ink), moderate VOC. pH near neutral but rises to 9-10 during alkaline CIP.
Arsistek packaging solutions: coagulation-flocculation, DAF or lamella, biological polishing, optional GAC. Water-based ink: phys-chem suffices. Solvent printing needs air stripping.
Packaging Effluent Types
Effluent varies by production type:
- Flexo printing: Water-based ink washes, plate cleaning. COD 2,000-4,000 mg/L, high color.
- Gravure printing: Solvent-based. VOC, aromatic hydrocarbon residues.
- Corrugated board: Cleaner washwater, starch adhesives (biodegradable).
- Flexible packaging (foil): Adhesive + ink mix. Solvent stripping needed.
- PET bottling: CIP solutions (NaOH, peracetic acid).
Ink Color Removal
Water-based ink pigments form stable emulsions. Cationic coagulant (PAC, alum) destabilizes, polyelectrolyte flocculates.
DAF or lamella achieves 90%+ color removal. Effluent 100-200 Pt-Co.
Adhesive (Starch/PVA) Treatment
Corrugated starch and PET PVA are biodegradable. Anaerobic UASB or aerobic activated sludge — effective removal.
Adhesive sludge can be viscous — pre-heating may help.
Solvent-Based Printing
Gravure and some flexo plants use solvent-based ink. Harder effluent:
- VOCs: toluene, xylene, ethyl acetate
- Low BOD/COD (0.2-0.3)
- Standard biology insufficient
Solution: air stripping (column, 85%+ removal) followed by GAC and biological polishing. GAC or ozone tertiary.
Modern plants shift to water-based ink — easier WWTP and better worker safety.
Packaging Sector Advantages
Packaging Industry References
8 images coming soon — stay tuned for our reference projects and facility photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Water-based: eco-friendly, easier WWTP. Solvent-based: high quality and speed but VOC and harder WWTP. Modern trend favors water-based.
Starch is 95%+ biodegradable. Not a problem — even serves as carbon source for NDN. Slightly more sludge.
CIP effluent: high pH (NaOH), low organics. Neutralization (acid dosing) + biological polishing. PAA residues biodegrade naturally.
Water-based ink sludge usually non-hazardous (waste code 12 01). Heavy-metal pigment inks (older formulas) can be hazardous. Characterization required.
No. With OSB central plant, pretreatment suffices: coagulation + DAF + neutralization. Full biology at OSB central WWTP.
In some cases yes. Same-color line wash waters can be collected and decanted to recover ink concentrate. Specialized — viable for large printers.