AN innovative Worcester water reuse company's wastewater system at the Glenmorangie distillery in Scotland has been recognised with a special award.

Aquabio Ltd's anaerobic membrane bioreactor system treats wastewater at the Glenmorangie distillery in the Northern Highlands.

The plant is part of Glenmorangie’s Dornoch Environmental Enhancement Project, which has been awarded the Hydro Nation Award – sponsored by the Scottish Government – at the 18th annual VIBES, Scottish Environment Business Awards.

Aquabio which operates from its headquarters in Hallow has become one of Europe's leaders in industrial wastewater treatment and water recycling and reuse.

The company has pioneered the implementation of water recycling within a wide range of industries including food and drink, bio fuels, pulp and paper, landfill and leachate and pharmaceuticals.

The awards are dedicated to recognising and rewarding businesses that are contributing to Scotland’s sustainable environment and unlike many other green awards, are open to businesses of all sizes across all sectors.

The distillery is the first time that Aquabio’s waste to energy treatment technology has been used in the whisky industry.

An average of 10 to 12 litres of water are need to produce one litre of whisky with the distillery producing four to five million litres of whisky per year.

The microorganisms in Glenmorangie’s bioreactor are able to degrade 11.7 tonnes of chemical oxygen demand in the polluted wastewater every day.

Dr Peter Nelson, operations director of The Glenmorangie Company said: “The water treatment facility at Tain has been a significant step and we are delighted with the performance of the Aquabio technology as part of a broader commitment to minimising our environmental footprint".