March 23, 2026
Advanced Bioremediation of High-FOG Effluent in a Ghee Manufacturing Plant, North India
Problem Statement
A ghee manufacturing industry was facing persistent challenges in degrading fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in its effluent.
FOG, especially from dairy sources, is hydrophobic in nature and tends to float, forming scum layers that hinder oxygen transfer and microbial contact.
It contains long-chain fatty acids and triglycerides, which are complex, slow to biodegrade, and inhibitory to many microbial communities.
Apart from high FOG levels, the plant was struggling with severe odour issues caused by anaerobic decomposition of accumulated grease, affecting worker safety and plant surroundings.
Traditional treatment approaches were unable to cope with the FOG and odour load, leading to treatment failure, instability, and frequent downtime.
Key Issues
| Parameter | Observations |
|---|---|
| FOG Levels | 800 ppm |
| COD | 10,000 ppm |
| Operational Issues | Frequent clogging, foaming & foul odour |
| System Inefficiency | Existing biocultures underperforming |
Key Objectives
- Achieve a significant reduction in FOG and COD concentrations
- Eliminate foul odour from the effluent and treatment system
- Stabilize the biological process for consistent ETP performance
- Minimize maintenance requirements and enhance operational efficiency
Plan of Action
The technical team from Organica Biotech visited the plant site to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the effluent characteristics, odour intensity, and performance of the existing treatment system.
Based on this analysis, Organica Biotech implemented a targeted bioaugmentation strategy by introducing Cleanmaxx FOG, a specialized microbial consortium engineered to degrade fats, oils, and grease while neutralizing odour-causing compounds.
The solution was applied through a structured two-month bioaugmentation program.
Results
FOG Reduction (ppm)
- 800 → 17 – ↓ 97% in 90 days
COD Reduction (ppm)
- 10,000 → 500 – ↓ 95% in 90 days
Odour Control
- Noticeable reduction in foul smell within the first 2 weeks
Conclusion
The implementation of customized Cleanmaxx FOG technology by Organica Biotech demonstrated superior results in degrading dairy industry wastewater, offering a sustainable, biological alternative to conventional treatments.
The advanced microbial formulation not only achieved 97% FOG reduction and 95% COD reduction but also significantly mitigated odour issues, clearly demonstrating Cleanmaxx FOG’s efficacy in degrading fats, oils, and grease while enhancing overall effluent treatment performance.
Additionally, it helped stabilize the biological system, prevented frequent blockages, and reduced overall maintenance efforts and costs.
Recent Blogs
