In the food processing industry, wastewater often contains valuable by-products such as starch and enzymes, which can be recovered and reused. However, traditional filtration methods struggle to efficiently separate these components while meeting environmental discharge standards. As a leading Chinese manufacturer of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes and filtration systems, we provide high-performance, cost-effective solutions for starch and enzyme recovery in food processing wastewater.
Introduction
In the food processing industry, wastewater often contains valuable by-products such as starch and enzymes, which can be recovered and reused. However, traditional filtration methods struggle to efficiently separate these components while meeting environmental discharge standards. As a leading Chinese manufacturer of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes and filtration systems, we provide high-performance, cost-effective solutions for starch and enzyme recovery in food processing wastewater.
Our self-produced UF membranes offer superior separation efficiency, durability, and fast processing times, ensuring both economic and environmental benefits for our clients.
Challenges in Food Processing Wastewater Treatment
Food industries such as potato processing, breweries, and dairy plants generate wastewater containing:
1. Starch (from potato, corn, or wheat processing)
2. Enzymes (from brewing, dairy, and fermentation processes)
3. Proteins and organic matter
If discharged untreated, these components can lead to high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), causing environmental pollution. Conventional treatment methods, such as sedimentation or chemical coagulation, are often inefficient in recovering valuable materials while ensuring compliant effluent quality.
Why Ultrafiltration?
Ultrafiltration is a pressure-driven membrane process that effectively separates macromolecules (starch, enzymes, proteins) from wastewater while allowing water and small solutes to pass through. Compared to traditional methods, UF offers:
✔ Higher recovery rates of valuable components
✔ Lower energy consumption than reverse osmosis (RO) or evaporation
✔ Consistent effluent quality for safe discharge or reuse
✔ Compact system design, reducing footprint
Our Ultrafiltration Membrane Solutions
As a factory-direct manufacturer, we produce high-quality hollow fiber and spiral-wound UF membranes optimized for food industry applications.
Key Advantages of Our UF Membranes:
1. High Selectivity & Efficiency
Pore size: 0.01–0.1 μm – Ideal for retaining starch, enzymes, and proteins
High flux rates – Faster processing than conventional membranes
Low fouling tendency – Hydrophilic membrane surface reduces clogging
2. Cost-Effective Production
In-house manufacturing ensures competitive pricing without compromising quality
Long service life with proper maintenance, reducing replacement costs
3. Fast Delivery & Customization
Short lead times due to efficient production processes
Tailored membrane configurations (molecular weight cut-off, flow rates) for specific needs
4. Sustainable & Compliant
Meets ISO, FDA, and EU standards for food-grade applications
Enables water reuse, reducing freshwater consumption
Applications in Food Processing Wastewater
1. Starch Recovery from Potato Processing Wastewater
Potato processing generates wastewater containing 1–5% starch, which can be recovered for animal feed or biodegradable packaging. Our UF membranes:
Concentrate starch for easy recovery via centrifugation or drying
Produce clear permeate that meets discharge regulations
Case Example: A potato chip manufacturer reduced starch waste by 85% and cut water treatment costs by 30% using our UF system.
2. Enzyme Recycling in Brewery & Fermentation Wastewater
Breweries and bio-enzyme plants discharge wastewater with amylases, proteases, and cellulases. Our UF membranes:
Recover active enzymes for reuse in production
Reduce BOD/COD for compliant discharge
Case Example: A brewery recovered 70% of enzymes from wastewater, saving $50,000/year in enzyme procurement costs.
3. Protein Separation in Dairy Effluent
Dairy wastewater contains whey proteins and lactose, which can be reclaimed. Our UF system:
Concentrates proteins for nutritional supplements
Purifies water for reuse in cleaning processes
Why Choose Us?
✅ Factory-direct pricing – No middlemen, lower costs
✅ Fast production & delivery – Meet urgent project timelines
✅ Technical support – Assistance in system design and optimization
✅ Proven performance – Reliable solutions for global clients
Conclusion
Ultrafiltration is a sustainable and profitable solution for starch and enzyme recovery in food processing wastewater. Our high-performance, low-cost UF membranes help industries reduce waste, recover valuable by-products, and comply with environmental regulations.
Contact us today to discuss your wastewater treatment needs and receive a customized UF membrane solution!
Q&A
Q: Can UF handle high-turbidity water?
A: Yes, but requires more frequent backwashing.
Q: Does UF need chemical additives?
A: Only for cleaning - no chemicals needed during normal operation.
Q: What's the maximum operating temperature?
A: Typically 40°C (104°F) for most commercial membranes.
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