News

COD Reduction in Industrial Wastewater

27.05.2026

High COD levels in wastewater are a costly problem for many industrial businesses. Find out how targeted chemical treatment helps you reliably meet discharge limits.

Chemical oxygen demand, or COD, is one of the most important parameters for assessing the quality of industrial wastewater. It indicates how much oxygen is required to chemically oxidise organic compounds in the water. High COD values indicate a heavy organic load and present a serious challenge across many industries: discharge conditions are not met, regulatory requirements tighten, or the municipal treatment plant reaches its capacity limits.

For manufacturing businesses that treat process water or discharge wastewater into the sewer system or a body of water, a reliable COD reduction concept is not optional. It is an operational necessity.

What causes elevated COD in industrial wastewater?

Elevated COD values occur wherever organic compounds enter the wastewater stream. This affects industries such as food and beverage production, metal surface treatment, the chemical industry, paper and textile manufacturing, and many other production sectors. Typical sources include cleaning and rinsing water, process effluents, cooling circuits, or process leaks.

Chemical treatment for COD reduction: the key approaches

The treatment of COD-laden wastewater works through several mechanisms. Flocculants and coagulation aids cause dissolved and colloidal organic matter to aggregate into flocs and settle out. Precipitation agents convert certain compounds into an insoluble form that can then be separated mechanically. Depending on the wastewater matrix, pH range, and organic load, different approaches may be required. In many cases, a combination of several treatment steps is necessary to reliably achieve the required limits.

Effective COD reduction depends not only on the product itself, but also on the correct dosage, the optimal point of application within the process, and alignment with the existing plant setup.

Our solution for your operation

We offer products for the treatment of industrial wastewater with elevated COD values, ranging from single-batch dosing to continuous treatment concepts for ongoing processes.

The first step we take together with you on-site. Our chemical engineers visit your facility, analyse your process and your specific wastewater situation, and develop a recommendation tailored to your plant. This ensures that the product used does not just perform in the laboratory, but delivers the desired results in your operation as well.

Get in touch with us. We will arrange a visit and work with you to identify the most effective measures for COD reduction in your specific case.