AN EVALUATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL REMOVAL TECHNOLOGIES AND BUSINESS MODEL STRATEGIES : FROM A WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT AND SUPPLIER PERSPECTIVE

Abstract: Pharmaceutical residues are passing our wastewater treatment plants and flowing out in to the nature. The medical substances are built to affect different processes in our bodies, but also affect other species and increase the risk of developing multi resistant bacterial strains, not curable with antibiotics. This has made wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) interested in investing in pharmaceutical removal. This study describes what criteria that are important to consider when choosing technology for pharmaceutical removal, and presents a model for the WWTPs to use when choosing pharmaceutical removal technology. Secondly, the study presents a reasoning regarding business model concepts. These concepts are presented to aid suppliers of pharmaceutical removal technology, when designing their business models. The method of choice is a qualitative research study based on interviews and document analysis.