GEA’s Three-Stage Water Treatment Solution to Help Lignatherm Achieve Major Environmental Milestone in Wood Fiber Insulation Production

At the heart of the plant is GEA’s customized water treatment process, which is applied at three different critical points in the production process to ensure that more than 95 percent of the wastewater can be reused as steam – reducing the demand for fresh water by over 95 percent as well. (Photo: GEA)

(IN BRIEF) GEA is helping Lignatherm AG achieve its sustainability goals by providing a customized three-stage water treatment system at its new wood fiber insulation board factory in Küssnacht, Switzerland. This innovative system reduces fresh water usage by over 95% by recycling wastewater into steam. The collaboration between GEA and Lignatherm highlights how technology can support environmental management while driving industrial innovation. The system’s efficiency, including mechanical separation, thermal separation, and steam reforming, sets a new standard for water and resource conservation in the wood processing industry.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 26-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — GEA, a leading global provider of process technology and sustainable industrial solutions, is proud to support Lignatherm AG with the supply of crucial components for a custom-designed, three-stage water treatment system at its new wood fiber insulation board factory in Küssnacht, Switzerland. Lignatherm aims to produce insulation boards with minimal environmental impact, and the new plant, set to be completed in fall 2025, will process approximately 50,000 tons of wood chips annually into high-performance, resource-saving insulation materials.

The core of the plant’s sustainability efforts lies in GEA’s innovative water treatment process. This advanced system is applied at three key points in the production process, ensuring that over 95 percent of wastewater can be reused as steam. This not only drastically reduces the need for fresh water by more than 95 percent but also sets a new standard for resource efficiency in the industry. The process unfolds in three distinct stages:

Mechanical Separation: The first stage uses GEA’s decanter centrifuges to effectively remove suspended solids from the wastewater.

Thermal Separation: The second stage involves a falling film evaporator, concentrating dissolved solids for disposal while generating clear condensate. The evaporator operates with exceptional efficiency due to the mechanical vapor compression (MVR) system, which maximizes energy efficiency without relying on fossil fuels.

Steam Reforming: The final stage employs a GEA steam reformer to convert wastewater into process steam, ensuring the complete recirculation of the water within the system, eliminating the need for external steam generation.

GEA is supplying key components for a customized, three-stage water treatment solution at Lignatherm AG’s new wood fiber insulation board factory in Küssnacht. (Photo: GEA)

By significantly reducing fresh water consumption and minimizing wastewater discharge, this solution exemplifies sustainability in wood processing. Roland Moser, Evaporation Sales & Process Manager at GEA, noted, “Our three-stage process not only meets Lignatherm’s environmental goals but exceeds them, proving that technology and sustainability can work in tandem.”

The successful execution of this project highlights the strength of the collaboration between GEA and Lignatherm, which was built on mutual respect, open communication, and shared values. Tobias Osterwalder, Head of Processing and Managing Director at Lignatherm, commented, “From day one, GEA’s expert guidance and collaborative approach were essential in developing a solution that met our exacting standards. Together, we are demonstrating that sustainable production can drive industrial innovation.”

GEA’s water treatment system leverages its centuries of expertise in thermal separation and chemical processing, ensuring that the solution is perfectly tailored to the challenges of wood fiber production. Even with seasonal fluctuations in raw material properties, this system ensures the highest standards of water protection and energy efficiency.

Rafael Piña, Project Manager Evaporation at GEA, added, “Thanks to the synergy between our technologies and Lignatherm’s dedication to sustainability, this project not only achieves its goals but also sets a new benchmark for water protection and resource efficiency in the industry.”

Media Contact:

Dr. Michael Golek
Phone: +49 211 9136 1505

SOURCE: GEA Group