Industry Benchmark: Leading Pharmaceutical Company’s Bipolar Membrane Project Nears Completion
Under China’s “Dual Carbon” strategy, a leading domestic pharmaceutical company has made significant strides in sustainable wastewater treatment by adopting Hangzhou Lanran Tech’s cutting-edge bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPED) technology. As the first pharmaceutical wastewater and waste salt resource recovery project in China, this initiative represents a breakthrough in transforming hazardous waste into valuable industrial raw materials.
After one year of operation, Phase I has reduced external acid and alkali procurement by approximately 3,650 tons each per year. Now, Phase II, dedicated to sodium sulfate resource recovery, has completed core equipment installation and is entering the final commissioning phase.
Technological Innovation: Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis Solving the Waste Salt Challenge
The project integrates an advanced “salt crystallization – chelation purification – bipolar membrane conversion” process. Sodium sulfate is extracted through freeze crystallization, undergoes deep impurity removal, and is then processed by an internationally leading BPED system to produce high-purity sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide.
Processing Capacity: 16,790 tons of solid salt per year
Annual Output: 11,500 tons of sulfuric acid & 9,500 tons of liquid caustic soda
Complete Resource Utilization: Transforms hazardous pharmaceutical waste into industrial raw materials
Smart Modular System: Enhancing Efficiency and Global Deployment
Phase II builds upon the AIO skid-mounted BPED system from Phase I, further optimizing efficiency and adaptability:
30% Higher Equipment Integration: Each independent module processes over 1,460 tons of salt per year with 0%-110% flexible adjustment.
60% Faster Installation: Prefabricated, plug-and-play modular assembly significantly reduces installation time.
50% Improved Maintenance Efficiency: Simplified interconnectivity and modular replacements minimize downtime.
Optimized for Remote and Overseas Deployment: Fully automated, IoT-enabled system allows for remote monitoring and control, requiring minimal on-site labor.
Engineering Speed: Setting a New Industry Standard
This project has set a new benchmark for rapid execution, significantly accelerating traditional engineering timelines:
30 days to complete pre-assembly of all equipment
3 months from production to full installation—2 months ahead of schedule
Expected full operation by March 2025
Once operational, the system will process 15,000 tons of pharmaceutical hazardous waste annually, converting it into reusable acid and alkali while generating annual cost savings of over 26 million RMB.
Mr. Lou Yongtong, Chairman of Hangzhou Lanran Tech, stated, “This project is a testament to the power of our bipolar membrane electrodialysis technology in driving sustainable industrial transformation. By turning hazardous waste into valuable resources, we are providing a scalable, energy-efficient solution that supports both environmental responsibility and economic growth. We value our collaboration with the partner in the pharmaceutical industry, providing solutions that support zero-liquid discharge and circular resource utilization.”
About Hangzhou Lanran Tech
Hangzhou Lanran Tech is an innovative provider of water treatment solutions, specializing in ion exchange membrane and electrodialysis technologies. The company is committed to delivering sustainable, resource-efficient solutions for large-scale industrial projects worldwide. With a focus on clean production across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, food, and chemicals, Hangzhou Lanran Tech also extends its expertise to carbon capture, lithium battery recovery, and resource recycling.
