Advanced wastewater treatment and sludge management for seafood processing to support sustainable growth - Heiploeg International - Reference

Project's context & challenges

Heiploeg International B.V. is Europe’s leading shrimp supplier, processing both North Sea and tropical shrimp at its production facility in Zoutkamp, the Netherlands. As part of its long-term commitment to sustainable growth, operational excellence and modernization, Heiploeg continues to invest in expanding production capacity and improving environmental performance.

Nijhuis Saur Industries has been a trusted wastewater treatment partner of Heiploeg since 1998. For more than 25 years, the two companies have worked together to continuously optimize and expand the site’s wastewater treatment infrastructure in line with evolving production requirements, environmental standards and sustainability ambitions.

As production volumes increased and treatment requirements became more demanding, Heiploeg required additional treatment capacity, improved sludge management and enhanced operational control. Building on decades of operational experience at the site, Nijhuis Saur Industries designed and supplied a wastewater treatment upgrade centred around an integrated biological treatment process and DAF-based sludge-water separation, enabling reliable performance and future growth.

Solution

As Heiploeg’s operational requirements evolved, Nijhuis Saur Industries was selected to design and supply a wastewater treatment upgrade based on the BIOCTOR-Flot concept. The solution combines biological wastewater treatment with Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) for sludge-water separation, creating a compact and highly efficient treatment process.

The system includes a new biological treatment installation equipped with aeration grids, mixers, pumps and blowers. In addition, two NSP sludge screw presses were supplied for sludge dewatering: one dedicated to primary sludge and one for secondary (biological) sludge.

Advanced automation and process control systems enable real-time monitoring and operational optimization, supporting stable treatment performance and more efficient sludge handling.

Scope of supply

Wastewater treatment plant design
Process engineering
New biological treatment system
Aeration grids
Mixers and pumps
Blowers
Integrated BIOCTOR-Flot system
Two NSP sludge screw presses for sludge dewatering
Automation and control systems
Instrumentation integration
Commissioning support
Process optimization support
Operational performance improvement
Lifecycle services and technical support

Customer benefits

Increased treatment capacity

The upgraded wastewater treatment infrastructure supports Heiploeg's continued production growth while maintaining high treatment performance

Compact and efficient treatment concept

The integrated BIOCTOR-Flot solution combines biological treatment and DAF-based sludge-water separation within a compact footprint, reducing the space requirements compared to conventional designs

Improved sludge management

Dedicated sludge dewatering systems for both primary and biological sludge improve solids handling, increase dry solids content and reduce sludge management requirements

Enhanced operational reliability

Advanced automation, measurement systems and process control contribute to stable operations, improved process visibility and reduced operational variability

Compliance with environmental requirements

The treatment solution supports compliance with discharge requirements while providing flexibility for future production expansion

Future-proof infrastructure

By continuously modernizing the treatment facility, Heiploeg is able to support sustainable operational growth and long-term environmental objectives

Long-term partnership

This project highlights more than 25 years of successful cooperation between Heiploeg International and Nijhuis Saur Industries, combining technology, engineering expertise, lifecycle support and continuous improvement.

"Through our long-standing cooperation with Nijhuis Saur Industries, we have continuously improved and expanded our wastewater treatment facilities, enabling us to support both our operational growth and sustainability ambitions "

Wiebe Horenga

Manager Projects - Heiploeg International B.V.