Probiotic industrial water treatment

Woellner GmbH, a German chemical solutions provider with more than 130 years of experience, wanted an alternative approach to conventional chemical treatment of the closed-circuit water in cooling towers. In January 2021, the company introduced Waropure®, powered by HeiQ microbials.

Before this change, cooling lamellas accumulated up to 40% organic and inorganic buildup and required replacement once or twice a year. Each replacement caused production interruptions and cost the company approximately EUR 20,000. After switching from chemical treatment to Waropure®, improvements became visible quickly. The lamellas remained clean, water quality was stable, and no replacements were needed since the start. This also helped reduce maintenance‑related downtime. The shift to a microbial supported Woellner’s efforts to reduce the use of harsh chemicals while increasing operational reliability. Regular inspections and microbiological analyses confirmed the consistent system performance.

Günther Popp, Business Manager at Woellner, commented: “Switching to probiotic industrial water treatment with our own Waropure® brand was a game changer for our and our customers’ cooling towers. We can attest that we have clean lamellas, no more unpleasant odors, safe system operation since 2021, and considerable savings in maintenance costs. Many of our customers benefit from the same approach.”

Probilife Pty Ltd, based in South Africa, partners with Pruex Africa to deliver HeiQ probiotic solutions for hygiene and water treatment. Corran Farming, an innovative crocodile farm near the south shore of Lake Malawi, replaced harsh chemical cleaning agents with a natural microbial water treatment approach. This change removed chemicals from the farm’s processes and created a way to reuse water responsibly.
 

As part of a UN development initiative, nutrient-rich water from the crocodile pens now irrigates 19 hectares of land and supplies three aquaculture ponds for smallholder farmers. Before this system, local farmers relied on unpredictable rainfall and fertilizers. Today, they grow crops more reliably, improve household income, and strengthen food security for their families.
 

Ralph Henderson, Managing Director of Corran Farming, shared: “After the water we use has been through the crocodiles, it is returned to the community, rich in nutrients and completely free of harsh chemicals. In the past, “green water” was a problem and had to be disposed of, but now it is environmentally friendly and can be used for horticulture and aquaculture by the community outside the crocodile ponds.”
This collaboration shows how natural solutions can reduce environmental impact and create shared value for agriculture and local communities.