Veolia inaugurates the world’s largest sludge treatment and recovery plant in Hong Kong

It is the world’s largest sludge incineration plant: 2,000 metric tons of sludge from Hong Kong’s 11 wastewater treatment plants is treated here each day.

On the seven-hectare site facing Deep Bay and Shenzhen, Veolia’s 360-meter long and 50-meter high plant is clearly a match for the environmental standards demanded by the Hong Kong government under its sustainable waste management strategy.

As the plant discharges no wastewater and transforms the sludge into electricity, it provides a totally clean and ecological solution to one of the most difficult-to-treat forms of urban pollution.

The site was commissioned following four years of design and construction by Veolia Water Technologies.

While the plant’s main structures are the incineration furnace-boilers generating steam to drive the electricity turbines, and the flue gas treatment units operating in accordance with the most stringent emission standards, the treatment and sludge incineration technology used reduces the final waste by 90%, thereby helping protect the natural environment.

The electricity generated from the sludge treatment process covers the plant’s needs, and a seawater desalination plant provides the process water required for the site’s operation.

It’s performance is such that, in addition to being an industrial site, this plant is also a remarkable ecological site and environmental learning center.

It includes an ecological garden showcasing the local biodiversity and a discovery center for visitors to learn about the plant. There is also a café with a view over the sea, a heated pool, a conference room and even an observation deck.