Wastewater Treatment: The Growing Demand For Decentralized Stps And Plug & Play Solutions

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Sigmadaf, a manufacturer of decentralized Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), has experienced explosive growth over the past five years. In the wastewater treatment market, there is an increasing demand for decentralized STPs and Plug & Play solutions. “More and more clients are looking for systems that do not require extensive infrastructure or depend on scarce skilled labour. Because we control the entire production chain, we can also guarantee fast delivery of our STPs,” says Oscar Mallola, Export Manager at Sigmadaf.

The Sigma Group was founded nearly 30 years ago and consists of three divisions. Aquasigma, which provides turn-key solutions for industrial wastewater treatment (1). Sigma Biodigestech which offers solutions for the treatment and valorisation of digestate generated by biodigestion plants on livestock farms (2). And Sigmadaf, which manufactures a complete range of Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF), decentralized STPs (MBR) and filter presses (3). Sigmadaf began its operations in 1994 in Girona, Spain. Since then, the company has built hundreds of DAF-installations across a wide range of industrial sectors on all five continents. Today, Sigma Group operates from three manufacturing locations in Girona, and there is a new 5000m2 facility under construction where its STPs are produced.

“We are working hard to build a solid reputation. The key to achieving this is delivering high-quality products and providing reliable after-sales support. We believe that after-sales service is just as important as the sale itself. Our motto is: ‘Any unit we sell must be the right unit,'” explains Oscar Mallola. Because of its strong focus on after-sales service, Sigmadaf has established several offices worldwide. “Fifteen years ago, we opened an office in Mexico with its own technical staff, all of whom are trained in Girona. A locally based office allows us to provide better guarantees and faster support, which in turn gives our clients more confidence.”

A few years ago, Sigmadaf’s Plug & Play solutions were primarily used for treating sewage from workers in agricultural projects or mining locations. “Most of our clients used our Sewage Treatment Plants for three years before relocating them to another site. Our decentralized STPs can treat wastewater for populations ranging from 200 to 1,000 people. Now, we are seeing increased demand from hotels and apartment complexes. In the USA there is a growing market for temporary sewage treatment for newly built apartments until permanent infrastructure is established.”

Sigmadaf’s STPs are shipped to clients worldwide. “Our stainless-steel units are smaller than a shipping container, which keeps transportation costs relatively low. We use high-quality membranes to prevent saturation. Some clients are unaware of the significant differences between high-quality and cheaper membranes. Replacing membranes can be costly, reduce the operational lifespan of the unit, and lead to unwanted environmental wastewater discharges. We make it a priority to educate our clients on how our technology stands out from that of our competitors. In the past, we noticed that some clients simply opted for the lowest price. This was partly because wastewater treatment was seen as a cost with no return. However, due to drought and water scarcity we are now seeing a shift in this mindset. More and more industrial clients are willing to reuse wastewater.”

Sigmadaf has a strong presence in Australia, where it sells a significant number of STPs. “Our clients there appreciate our product quality and guarantees. We primarily sell Membrane Bioreactors (MBR) because they are ideal for Plug & Play solutions. We also manufacture Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (MBBR), but this is a completely different technology. Some clients visit our manufacturing facilities in Girona to see firsthand how our units are produced. Observing our complete control over the production chain reassures them of our ability to guarantee delivery times. This assurance is becoming increasingly important, especially given the current shortage of skilled welders and plumbers. By choosing our Plug & Play solutions, clients eliminate the need to find skilled labour themselves, and they can simply order the units they require.”

Building a Sewage Treatment Plant for clients begins with defining objectives. “Our clients specify the required effluent parameters, and we deliver a system that meets those specifications. Without clear parameters, we do not proceed with sales.” Over the past five years, Sigmadaf has seen rapid expansion, with its workforce growing from five to 50 employees. “Our growth strategy is centred on human resources,” says Mallola. “Taking on too much work would compromise product quality and a good workplace atmosphere. We have worked hard to build our reputation, and we are mindful of our limits. We are not getting too big for our boots; we know what we can handle.”