Arvia helps pharmaceutical companies, drug manufacturers, and biopharma plants remove persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to trace levels without chemical dosing or hazardous sludge generation. The result is greater compliance confidence, lower reliance on offsite disposal, and a simpler route to safe discharge or water reuse.
Pharmaceutical wastewater is rarely predictable. Even where a site already has biological treatment, RO membranes, or other established processes in place, trace residuals can remain.
Arvia understands these pressures because we work directly with pharmaceutical companies and biopharma sites facing persistent organic contaminants in their effluent. Our patented Nyex™ technology combines adsorption with electrochemical oxidation, supporting trace-level removal without chemical dosing and without the need for media replacement through in-situ regeneration.
Our advanced water treatment systems are designed for exactly this tertiary water treatment role. Our technology is proven, demonstrating significant success within pharmaceutical industries, where wastewater often contains complex organic compounds that standard treatment routes struggle to address.
Arvia Technology is a global leader in Wastewater Treatment for the Pharma industry. Talk to a specialist today.
03.30.2023
A comprehensive removal of APIs of >90% and often to below LOD (the limit of detection).
We specialise in removing several organic compounds associated with Pharma industries such as: APIs, antibiotics, steroids, hormones, EDCs and banned organic chemicals. We also specialise in COD polishing to low levels.
Our water treatment systems are designed to remove persistent chemicals that other technologies may leave behind. An essential polishing step as part of your Zero Liquid Discharge strategy.
Your blowdown water treatment might leave behind recalcitrant organic chemicals or not reduce COD to low enough levels for reuse. Ask us how our specialist systems can complement your treatment systems.
Our Nyex water treatment systems are used for tertiary wastewater polishing or for removing specific organic compounds. In terms of pharmaceutical wastewater treatment, we can remove APIs, antibiotics, hormones, steroids and EDCs, as well as surfactants, corrosion inhibitors and biocides to very low levels. This makes them very suitable for use in life sciences companies which manufacture pharmaceuticals or APIs and require removal of hazardous compounds to below the contaminant’s Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNEC).
Our Nyex water treatment processes have been designed to tackle the wastewater issues faced by the life sciences sectors, with these key benefits:
A Different Approach
Unlike conventional methods, the Nyex process combines adsorption with in-situ electrochemical destruction. Contaminants are concentrated onto the media surface then destroyed — not transferred to another waste stream. The media regenerates continuously, eliminating the saturate-replace cycle.
The Nyex™ process uses Arvia’s proprietary conductive media to attract and concentrate persistent pharmaceutical compounds onto its surface. Once adsorbed, these organics are destroyed in situ through electrochemical oxidation, breaking down APIs and other recalcitrant contaminants rather than transferring them into a secondary waste stream.
Recalcitrant organic contaminants such as APIs and other persistent pharmaceutical compounds are selectively adsorbed onto the Nyex™ media surface, concentrating them from the bulk water phase. This step is particularly effective at low influent concentrations, where conventional treatment technologies can struggle to achieve stable removal.
A low-voltage current is applied, oxidising the adsorbed compounds directly on the media surface. This destroys the target organics in situ, breaking them down into simpler, non-hazardous by-products rather than transferring them into another waste stream.
The oxidation step simultaneously regenerates the media surface, restoring its adsorption capacity during operation. This removes the need for frequent media replacement, off-site regeneration or secondary waste disposal, giving pharmaceutical manufacturers a more practical, low-carbon and operationally simple alternative to conventional adsorption systems.
The Nyex system is typically deployed as a tertiary polishing step after biological treatment, targeting the residual colour that conventional processes leave behind. It can also be used for targeted pre-treatment to protect downstream membranes or stabilise sensitive processes.
Pre-treatment
Upstream Process
Screening, pH adjustment, primary settlement and flow balancing
Biological Treatment
Biological Stage
Reduction of bulk BOD and COD, while persistent pharmaceutical compounds may remain
Nyex™ Treatment
Arvia Solution
Adsorption and electrochemical oxidation to remove APIs and other recalcitrant organics
Compliant Discharge
Output
High-quality effluent suitable for discharge compliance or onward reuse objectives
We test on a sample of your wastewater to confirm which of our technologies is the most effective match for your specific matrix. The treatability trials establish removal performance, and provide the data needed for informed decision-making. We typically need 20–50 litres of effluent for pollutant removal, COD reduction, and any contaminants of interest.
Our technicians work with your process team to install a pilot plant to assess performance under real operating conditions, including variability in flow, load, and temperature, and confirm scale-up assumptions. Pilots typically run for 4–12 weeks depending on variability. This stage validates operability, maintenance requirements, and confirms design parameters for the full-scale system.
Modular, factory-built systems are delivered, installed, and commissioned with full technical support. Ongoing monitoring and support ensures sustained performance. Systems are designed for retrofitting into existing treatment trains. Commissioning includes operator training, documented procedures, and a defined support package.
Jerome Budin
Wastewater consultant
Schedule a trial with our experts to find out how we can help you remove colours from your wastewater.
Arvia’s pharmaceutical wastewater treatment solutions are designed for streams containing a wide range of pollutants, including active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), endocrine-disrupting chemicals, surfactants, banned organics and other recalcitrant compounds. Find out more about the range of organic compounds where our technology provides the solution you need.
