Category: Press Release

The textile industry often struggles with a negative environmental image from the large quantities of dyes and other chemicals used to make fabric and leather. In addition to worker hazards, these chemicals present challenges for wastewater treatment. Fortunately, many biological solutions in the form of enzymes and probiotics are now available to make various aspects of the textile industry friendlier to workers and the environment.

The Expertise of Enzymes

Commercial enzymes such as those sourced from microorganisms are a great boon to textile processors because of their inherent benefits and/or potential to replace harsh chemicals. For example, enzymes available from Bionetix^® International offer the following possibilities:

•  ECL1000^™ is a liquid amylase concentrate that can be used to remove starch during desizing of fabric.
•  ECP1611^™ is a powder enzyme concentrate containing protease with keratinase activity. This combination is ideal for removing hair in leather processing. It can also help with wool finishing for a smoother texter.
• ECL1200^™ is a liquid lipase concentrate that can be used to degrease leather and bio-scour wool, replacing harsh and/or polluting chemicals normally used for these operations. It can also be used to pretreat wool for improved dyeing.
• ECL3000^™ is a liquid cellulase concentrate that can be used for bio-polishing of plant-based fabrics, removing extraneous fibers for a smoother finish. Bio-stoning is another use, cutting down on the number of pumice stones needed to fade denim.

The Power of Probiotics

Although enzymes can replace some of the harsh chemicals that might otherwise end up in wastewater, textile effluent still has plenty of concentrated waste materials that need to be treated before the remaining water can be safely released to the environment. That is where bioaugmentation with probiotics (i.e., beneficial bacteria) takes over. Bioaugmentation introduces microbial reinforcements to any naturally-occurring colonies already present in wastewater material during the biological treatment stage at the wastewater treatment plant. Supplementary microbes should be chosen based on their ability to speed up the biodegradation of specific substances. In textile wastewater, these pollutants may include starches, surfactants, hydrocarbons, greases, ammonia, and nitrogen, reflected in characteristics such as high overall COD (chemical oxygen demand), BOD (biochemical oxygen demand), TSS (total suspended solids), and TKN (total Kjeldahl nitrogen) that increase wastewater surcharges. A variety of nutrient blends that target specific substances and help improve key wastewater quality markers like these are also available from Bionetix^®: 

• BCP10^™ contains microorganisms that degrade complex organic chemicals such as phenols and surfactants, thus enhancing overall BOD/COD removal.
• BCP11^™ improves effluent quality in industries with high chemical content such as solvents.
• BCP22^™ is designed for wastewater with high concentrations of greases. Although often associated with the food industry, BCP22™ can also be used to degrade excess FOG (fats, oils, greases) produced by leather degreasing.
• BCP35M^™ degrades hydrocarbons and other organic waste
• BCP55^™ targets the degradation of starch, present in textile wastewater as a residual of the desizing process.
• BCP655^™ consumes organic and inorganic nitrogen, reducing ammonia levels and eliminating expensive surcharges for high TKN discharge levels.

Specific treatment will vary from site to site, but when working with a technical consultant, textile facilities can stay one step ahead of high surcharges from excess contaminant levels in wastewater effluent. Incorporating enzymes into the manufacturing process and adding the right “bugs” to wastewater are two sustainable solutions for the textile industry to take advantage of for practical as well as ecological reasons. Contact Bionetix^® to get more advice on
transforming your textile operations for a greener, more sustainable future.

Keywords: textile industry, sustainability, bioaugmentation, textile wastewater treatment, enzymes for manufacturing, cellulase suppliers, lipase suppliers, amylase suppliers, protease suppliers, Bionetix

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Meteorological summer is more than half over in the Southern Hemisphere. Spring is on its way in the north. Whatever hemisphere you find yourself in, now is a great time to think about pursuing your dreams for a greener lawn. While you could opt for a quick dose of synthetic fertilizer for fast results, Bionetix^® International recommends four nature-based treatments to enhance the overall health of the soil for long-term benefits.

1. Enrich the Soil with Organic-Based Fertilizer

Making sure you have a rich blend of nutrients is a good place to start. While many synthetic fertilizers major on the “big three”—NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium)—ORGANIC PLUS^™ draws on NPK from natural sources and adds calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, boron, and manganese to the picture. It also contains humic acids to further enrich the soil and improve nutrient absorption. A natural wetting agent supports more efficient use of water to reduce drought stress. Application is especially beneficial for new growth in early spring but can continue weekly as the grass matures. 

2. Improve Soil Structure and Biology

Often, organic fertilizers need the help of microorganisms to make nutrients available to grass roots. A biofertilizer such as ECO-TURF^™ is perfect for this purpose. In addition to various minerals, vitamins, and plant extracts, ECOTURF^™ contains 75 million CFU (colony forming units) of beneficial bacteria per mL. These microorganisms help break down organic matter, creating a nutrient rich soil structure that can support vigorous leaf, stem, and root growth. ECO TURF^™ may be applied by sprayer or irrigation system every two to four weeks.

3. Thin Out the Thatch

The longer summer goes and the grass continues to grow, the more thatch and dead organic materials build up in the lawn. Since this makes it harder for water and oxygen to reach the grass’s roots, mechanical dethatching is often recommended. However, ECO-D-THATCH^™ serves as an excellent supplement to or replacement for mechanical dethatching. This biotreatment uses beneficial bacteria and enzymes to break down thatch and organic debris, creating more nutrient rich humus while giving oxygen and water better access to soil and roots. ECO-D-THATCH^™ should be applied every two to four weeks.

4. Activate Plant Growth

SOIL-BAC^™ Premium can take your lawn another step further in healthy growth and nutrient breakdown. PGPR (plant growth promoting rhizobacteria) serves as a natural plant growth hormone while mycorrhizae help increase active biomass. Another special feature is the use of both symbiotic and free-living bacteria to help fixate atmospheric nitrogen. These components increase nutrient availability and facilitate absorption—even before vegetation begins to grow in the spring.

Follow Your Dreams to a Healthy Lawn!

There are many great strategies to grow a healthy lawn. While you could take the fast route of synthetic fertilizers that leave behind unwanted runoff and contamination, a better approach is to focus on creating healthy soil with natural drought resistance and growth promoters, beneficial microorganisms, and a wide range of nutrients. It’s not too late to finish the lawncare season strong in the Southern Hemisphere—or too early to dream of lush green turf in the Northern Hemisphere. Contact Bionetix^®to get started harnessing the power of nature to create the lawn of your dreams!

Keywords: create the lawn of your dreams, natural lawncare, organic fertilizer, pros and cons of synthetic fertilizer, Bionetix, dethatching tips, healthy lawns, biofertilizer, drought resistant lawns, tips for better lawns

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Fall is here in the Northern Hemisphere. On the positive side, that means seeing more landscapes splashed with red, yellow, orange, and burgundy leaves on the daily drive. On the negative side, it means it is time for wastewater treatment plants to reevaluate their current bioaugmentation plan to prepare for cooler temperatures. Bionetix^® is here to help with a simple rule of thumb: When cooler temperatures arrive, add more bugs.

Microbes Are Indispensable

Wastewater treatment would be impossible without microorganisms that feed on organic waste to get the nutrients and energy they need to grow and reproduce. This biodegradation process breaks larger contaminants into smaller innocuous elements that can safely be released back into nature. Two key measurements of effluent quality are BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) and/or COD (chemical oxygen demand), which indirectly reflect the level of organic compounds. When more oxygen is required, more contaminants are present. The goal of wastewater treatment is to reduce BOD/COD by improving water quality. 

Bioaugmentation and Cold Weather

While many microorganisms are naturally present in wastewater, it is often beneficial to add extra microorganisms to speed up waste degradation. This is called bioaugmentation and is especially important during cool weather, when microbial metabolism slows down. Microorganisms take longer to multiply, some die off, and BOD/COD reduction is slower and less than before. Hence, a drop in temperature can lead to an increase in BOD and require more intense bioaugmentation to keep BOD levels down.

Billions of Microbes, Multiple Options

Many different microbial blends can be used to boost BOD/COD reduction in lagoons, aerobic digesters, SBRs (sequencing batch reactors), MBBRs (moving bed biofilm reactors), and other secondary wastewater treatment systems during cool weather.

BCL6000^™ is a good choice where automatic pumping is desired. In addition to containing 2 billion CFU (colony forming units) per mL, this liquid blend also contains free enzymes, nutrients, and an oxygen source to support healthy aerobic conditions and metabolism among the microbial population. The microorganisms in BCL6000^™ can continue to work as long as the wastewater temperature stays above 50-54 °F (10- 12 °C).

BCP50^™ contains bacteria in powder form that can be dosed based on daily flow rates, retention times, and other factors. This blend of 5 billion CFU per gram of product is targeted to degrade proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and select hydrocarbons. It is recommended for reseeding and startup, when an extra boost of microorganisms and nutrients is needed to get a healthy colony established. This microbial loading action also makes it a good candidate for replenishing microbial populations that are struggling to flourish in cooler temperatures. BCP655^™ is similar but aimed at lagoon systems. Both can be used in wastewater that is at least 50 °F (11 °C) or warmer. 

Get Ready to Add More Bugs!

As the weather cools, it is vital to plan ahead for those months when it will be harder for microbes to keep up with the normal wastewater workload. Start choosing your extra bugs now to stay at a healthy rate of wastewater BOD reduction this fall and winter!

Keywords: winterizing wastewater treatment plant, wastewater treatment in cold weather, bioaugmentation, wastewater troubleshooting, Bionetix, wastewater challenges in cold weather, BOD problems and solutions, how to reduce BOD, biochemical oxygen demand, COD in wastewater

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Bionetix^® International is pleased to introduce its fourth enzyme concentrate: ECP1611^™! Available in powder form, this high-efficiency protease enzyme with keratinase activity can be used in a wide range of industries—from detergent formulation to waste management. ECP1611^™ hydrolyzes both general proteins and keratin-rich substances into smaller molecules, making it ideal for applications that deal with hair, feathers, and similar substances. In a world where protein is ubiquitous and microbially sourced enzymes are gaining popularity, ECP1611^™ meets an important need for manufacturers and formulators who require a biological catalyst for better products and processes.

 

Stain-Removing Detergents

Proteases are most widely used in the detergent industry because they help to loosen stains composed of protein materials such as blood, eggs, dairy, and grass. Combined with other enzymes such as cellulase, mannanase, lipase, and amylase, they can create a powerful cleaning formula for dishwashing detergents, laundry presoaks and detergents, and stain removers. Because of their biological origin, enzyme concentrates such as ECP1611^™ are also a great alternative to phosphate-based cleaning components.

Improving Leather and Textile Production

Leather processing is one of the newer uses for protease, and this application is gaining popularity. Because ECP1611^™ includes protease with keratinase activity, it is ideal for removing hair and skin in the tanning process, replacing harsh chemicals during the bating and dehairing stages. It can also be used in the textile industry (e.g., wool and silk finishing) to improve fiber textures.

Enriching Animal Feed and Agriculture

When used as a feed supplement or additive, ECP1611^™ can aid livestock digestion and enhance feed quality by breaking down proteins. Going one step farther, it can be used to manage waste in the food industry by helping convert discarded high-protein materials, such as feathers and other keratin-rich poultry features, into nutrient-rich livestock feeds or organic fertilizers.

Efficient Waste Management

In addition to reclaiming and repurposing nutrient rich waste that might otherwise turn into an environmental problem, ECP1611^™ can be used directly at waste treatment facilities to make sludge dewatering more efficient and speed up other aspects of the waste treatment process through enhanced protein digestion.

Unlock the Power of Protease/Keratinase!

Whether you need to remove protein-based stains, improve your leather tanning process, or boost animal nutrition, ECP1611^™ serves as a powerful biological
catalyst ready to serve your protein-hydrolysis needs. Start unlocking the power of protease with keratinase activity today!

Keywords: Bionetix, protease, keratinase, industrial enzymes, enzymes for detergents, where to buy enzymes, stain removing enzymes, leather processing, livestock digestion, stain removers

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While many of us mainly think of starch in connection with food, this complex carbohydrate has more industrial uses than we often realize. A critical key to unlocking its benefits is amylase, an enzyme that breaks starch into smaller molecules for further use or removal. Due to the widespread use and benefits of amylase, Bionetix^® is pleased to introduce ECL1000^™ as the second in its new line of liquid enzyme concentrates.

How Does ECL1000™ Work?

ECL1000^™ is a high efficiency amylase enzyme produced by non-pathogenic bacteria. It breaks starches into low molecular weight fermentable sugars such as glucose or dextrin. This process creates smaller components that serve as critical building blocks for other products or which can be more easily digested as a food source. The same process can be used to remove starch molecules where they are no longer wanted. Amylase has been in use for centuries, and today, its benefits extend to the following industries:

• Food and beverage production
• Feed manufacturing
• Ethanol production
• Textile finishing
• Laundry

Simplifying Starch for Further Use

In the food and beverage industry, starch breakdown with ECL1000^™ can be used to improve the texture of baked goods and clarify beverages. This ability to break down starch also makes ECL1000^™ a good choice as either a pretreatment for animal feed or a feed additive to help livestock get the most out of substances that may be difficult for them to fully digest. Because ECL1000^™ helps convert starch into fermentable sugars, it is essential for ethanol production, which relies heavily on starch due to pricing and availability.

Removing Starch

In some applications, starch is only desired temporarily or not at all. When this is the case, ECL1000^™ comes in handy for its ability to remove starchy substances. For instance, the textile industry uses starch to strengthen fabrics during weaving and sizing but must remove it later. ECL1000^™ provides the liquefaction needed to loosen the starch so it can be carried away. Amylase performs a similar function in many laundry detergents, where it is used to enhance stain removal. ECL1000^™ can therefore be a good addition to detergents or stain removal products because of its ability to digest starchy substances that attract dirt, and because it can directly target starchy stains from cocoa, gravy, potatoes, and other high starch foods. 

Unlock Your Manufacturing Potential

Starch is an important raw material that touches many parts of our everyday lives and represents a major source of renewable energy. However, its potential cannot fully be tapped without the ability to simplify its complex structure. ECL1000^™ is one key to unlock that door to better starch utilization and removal. Contact Bionetix^® to learn more about ECL1000^™ for starch liquefaction.

Keywords: Bionetix, starch, amylase, starch liquefaction, starch removal, ethanol production, food and beverage industry, textile finishing, fabric desizing, amylase

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Cleaning toilet bowls is not a welcome task for most people, but it must be done for good hygiene and aesthetics in home bathrooms and public restrooms. The good news is that this chore has just gotten more exciting and effective thanks to Bionetix® International’s probiotic cleaner for toilets!

Toilet Bowl Cleaner + Probiotics

ECO-CLEAN-BOWL™ is a toilet bowl cleaning tablet that adds probiotics to a septic safe cleaning formulation. Initial cleaning action cleans grime and efficiently targets and removes stains including limescale and rust. ECO-CLEAN-BOWL™ neutralizes unpleasant odors and leaves behind a fresh clean scent. But it does not stop there.

Leave Behind More Than a Fresh Fragrance

ECO-CLEAN-BOWL™ toilet cleaning tablets are enriched with beneficial probiotics that boost the toilet’s microbial ecosystem—similar to building a healthy microbiota in the human gut by eating probiotic foods and supplements. When applied to the toilet, the beneficial microorganisms of ECO-CLEAN-BOWL™ like to hang around and start building colonies in the bowl, drain, and septic system. These colonies feed on the plentiful organic matter along this path of waste disposal. By doing so, they have many positive ongoing effects, such as

•  Reducing a food source for harmful bacteria
• Consuming odor-causing substances
• Decreasing the buildup of grime and dirt
• Improving drain flow and septic tank conditions

Easy to Use Toilet Tablets

Better yet, ECO-CLEAN-BOWL™ tablets are easy to use. Simply drop a tablet into the toilet bowl and allow it to fizz and dissolve before flushing the toilet. No scrubbing is required, although a toilet brush can be used for additional cleaning if desired.

Effective Cleaning

Although ECO-CLEAN-BOWL™ tablets are great for use in homes with septic systems because they lack harsh chemicals that would normally harm the microbial ecosystem, they are also an excellent choice for institutional use, coming in packs of 300 tablets per pail. Furthermore, they make an ideal option for cleaning and custodial services that need industrial strength cleaning products but also want to present an environmentally responsible image.

Make Probiotics Work for You

Microorganisms are so small that we don’t see them, but we are affected by them in many ways every day. ECO-CLEAN-BOWL™ captures the positive side of beneficial bacteria for lasting effects in restroom maintenance. Contact Bionetix® today to learn more about adding probiotics to your cleaning routine!

Keywords: probiotic cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, cleaning routine, probiotic toilet bowl cleaner, beneficial bacteria, restroom maintenance, septic safe cleaners, Bionetix, cleaning tips

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