Fjell Technology Group
Transforming Wastewater Treatment with Innovation

Over the last decade, the adverse effects of climate change have been driving the business ecosystem to implement technologies that will significantly reduce their carbon footprint. Particularly in Norway, greener technologies such as wastewater management solutions and other Greentech-systems are helping the government reduce processes that enhance greenhouse emissions. However, owing to a lack of expertise at municipal wastewater treatment plants, the implementation of state-of-the-art wastewater management systems is often riddled with operational concerns such as accelerated wear and tear of internal components of dryers and more. Simultaneously, the energy usage of the new-age wastewater treatment solutions causes businesses to spend significant funds, making it challenging to attain positive ROI.

Addressing this challenge with its innovative technologies that power next-gen residual raw materials processing and highly skilled engineering expertise is Norway-based Fjell Technology Group (FTG).

The company’s prime clients are municipal wastewater plants and fish farmers that need help in processing and/or disposing of their residual material. FTG offers products capable of drying municipal wastewater (MWW) sludge—usually a tough application that causes severe damage to drying equipment—and transforms the waste into reusable material used in agriculture and/or energy generation. “Our success in drying MWW sludge can be attributed to the unique combination of technology and process know-how we leverage to design the best, most efficient, and cost-effective solution,” says Halvard Madsen, CEO at Fjell Technology Group.

FTG was established in 1980 originally as a company that produced fish meal plants (both on and offshore) and equipment to the Norwegian offshore oilrigs. Subsequently, in 2012, the company strategically pivoted towards becoming a leading supplier of Greentech by utilizing their industry partnerships and in-house technology and engineering personnel to develop innovative wastewater treatment products and CO2 capture technology. Since then, FTG has been helping municipal wastewater plants effectively dry their sludge and aiding companies in the fast-growing fish farming industry with efficient wastewater treatment solutions. FTG also supply the Norwegian fishery- and aquaculture industry with processing plants that convert fish offal and cuttings into high-quality fish meal and oil.

The company’s current wastewater treatment suite of products includes its flagship Turbo Disc (TD) Dryer for MWW sludge treatment, and its TMD Fish Sludge Recycling System (FRS) is specially designed to dry the fat-rich and fibreless material found in fish sludge. Unlike typical disc dryers, FTG’s TD Dryer has clamps that maintain the integrity of the disc even when exposed to extreme internal steam pressure.

Our success in drying MWW sludge can be attributed to the unique combination of technology and process know-how we leverage to design the best, most efficient, and cost-effective solution

Moreover, the TD Dryer’s unique design also minimizes corrosion problems with the rotor as its welds are not exposed to external stressors or internal pressure. Alternatively, the company’s award-winning FRS technology can process aquaculture wastewater from 0.1 percent dry matter (DM) content up to 99 percent DM with or without the use of chemicals for the high capture treatment processes. The final end-product (dried sludge) can be used to manufacture fertilizers as it is rich in organic materials, Nitrogen and Phosphorus. “All our wastewater treatment solutions are backed by processes that significantly reduces energy consumption, thereby significantly reducing operation costs for the customers”, adds Madsen.

With such strong core competencies, FTG has ignited several success stories since its inception. In one instance, FTG helped the municipalities in Stavanger to dry their MWW sludge by delivering its TD Dryer, which is currently transforming the sludge into reusable additives. In fact, the company has partners in the Norwegian city that are using the dried sludge to create fertilizers that are being used in Vietnam. Another TD Dryer will this summer be installed in a plant in Holland dry sludge that again will be used to generate electricity. Recently FTG will supply the solution that probably is the world’s first fish sludge drying hub. Fish sludge from four different salmon smolt farms will be transported to the FTG FRS Sludge Drying Hub and dried to above 90% DM. The fish sludge is then hygienised and storage stabile. According to Madsen, one of the ambitions behind setting up this hub was to simplify the process of using dried sludge for innovative applications, which would cost a significant amount of funds and resources if done individually.

At the core of the company’s success is its mission to create a circular economy where waste treatment processes drive the transformation of residual materials into value and revenue generators as agricultural additives, electricity, and more. Additionally, FTG’s emphasis on continually seeking newer, cutting-edge technologies and in-house testing capabilities has helped it not only develop tech-driven units but holistic processes that can make wastewater plants ultra-efficient. “We want to make the value chain offered by FTG to be circular, where the companies that use our products to help themselves enhance their waste management while enabling us to find newer applications of the dried end-product,” explains Madsen.

Looking ahead, FTG plans to continue its pursuit of developing the most effective and efficient wastewater treatment solution while conducting in-depth R&D to find new and profitable uses for the dried sludge. In pursuit of this, Madsen aims to build a solution that creates a more energy-rich end-product after treatment in the next five years. “I am always eager to learn about new ways to transform our value chain into a loop and through FTG, I plan to find or develop technologies and processes that will significantly improve future wastewater treatment,” concludes Madsen.