Alteo Alumina in support with Veolia completes "red mud" treatment plant

On 4^th September’20, the French speciality alumina plant in Gardanne, Alteo started a new biological treatment station for its liquid effluents, designed and built by Veolia.

Since the last phase of 2015, Alteo continued to invest in the purification of its liquid residues commonly called “red mud” that got discharged at sea. The ultimate step in these efforts was taken with the erection of a biological treatment unit, which got inaugurated recently.

The installation was designed and built-in 14 months with Veolia, being accountable for operating and maintaining it under a three-year contract. The world leader in the production of speciality alumina said: “Alteo now fully complies with the regulatory requirements imposed on it for the quality of its effluents before they are discharged into the Mediterranean, 7 km from the coasts of Cassis (Bouches-du-Rhône ) and 300 meters deep.”

Olivier Campos, Director, Veolia Water in the Bouches-du-Rhône, said: “This type of effluent had never been treated before. The tests carried out on the initial pilot showed that it was treatable with biomass. This is a world first.”

A satisfied President, Frédéric Ramé of Alteo said: “Thanks to this station, Alteo solves the ultimate problem of its liquid effluents by achieving compliance on biological oxygen demand (BOD5) and chemical oxygen demand (COD).”

"We have found solutions and developed technologies that allow us to go further. This is proof that we can reconcile the environment and industry. After this profound transformation, we will need as much support to preserve jobs as we have had to reduce our environmental footprint. "

The future of the company placed in receivership since December’19 must be decided by October’20.

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