Polmlek Group has completed an ambitious modernisation project at its plant in Lidzbark Warmiński. As Wiadomości Spożywcze reports, the facility reached 80% energy independence just one year after implementation. “We are also developing further projects,” said Marcin Witulski, CEO of Polmlek Group.
Polmlek completed an ambitious project, moving toward energy independence
The modernisation, completed in 2025, involved implementing an anaerobic process that converts the organic load in wastewater into valuable biogas. After a year of operation, the installation proved both technologically and economically effective, enabling the plant to reach 80% energy independence, reducing the need to purchase external energy and lowering operating costs while also cutting CO2 emissions.
The investment, fully delivered by SEEN Technologie — covering the technical design, supply, installation and commissioning — was completed without interrupting plant operations.
“Energy transformation has become one of the key elements of industrial competitiveness today. The plant in Lidzbark Warmiński now achieves around 80% energy self-sufficiency, with the modern wastewater treatment plant doubling as a local source of green energy,” said Witulski.
The plant has also reached the potential to produce around 2 million Nm³ of methane annually — equivalent to a cogeneration output of around 1 MW of electricity and 1 MW of heat, used both for the treatment plant and for production processes.
The Lidzbark Warmiński plant upgrade also benefits the environment
The investment cut the organic pollutant load (COD) by 50%, keeping wastewater parameters well below current environmental standards and reducing the plant’s carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions, while lowering previously high wastewater treatment costs.
“The Lidzbark Warmiński project shows that a properly designed wastewater treatment plant can play a much broader role than environmental infrastructure alone. It genuinely supports the plant’s energy efficiency, cuts operating costs and increases the company’s independence,” said Dariusz Jasak, CEO of SEEN Technologie.
The Lidzbark Warmiński plant is Polmlek Group’s largest dairy facility. Since 2022 it has implemented a “zero waste” philosophy, including the use and processing of every milk fraction. The modernisation project reflects a wider transformation trend in Poland’s food industry, driven by rising energy prices, the need for energy independence and tightening environmental regulations.
Source: Wiadomości Spożywcze
