May we introduce? ...

... Markus Bardzinski is not only a flesh-and-blood salesman, he is above all our expert for wastewater solutions in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. As a sales engineer, he has been able to get to know the most diverse applications in the chemical-pharmaceutical industry in over 20 years and has been supporting our customers for almost 4 years to achieve optimum wastewater treatment with VACUDEST vacuum distillation systems at its core. He explains the advantages of wastewater treatment using vacuum evaporators for chemical and pharmaceutical companies in today's interview - and at the ACHEMA in Frankfurt! Come by; we look forward to meeting you!

Markus, you are a salesman. They say a good salesman can sell a refrigerator even at the North Pole. Try it: What would be your arguments?
A good salesman is someone who listens to the customer and then finds the solution that suits him. Selling something that is not needed (it should still be cold enough at the North Pole) seems like a waste of time to me.

You've already proven your sales talent. What about your expert knowledge? What do companies in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector need most?
That is very difficult to answer in one sentence. The processes in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry are highly complex and often very individual. Regularly recurring topics are certainly efficiency, process safety, automation and cost-effectiveness.

What happens when hazardous substances from the chemical and pharmaceutical industry are released into the environment?
There are many different substances, which also mean many different effects on the environment. I'll take the example of pharmaceuticals. On the one hand, they are eminently important for medical care; on the other hand, they have significant side effects when they enter the environment. Since they are often not biodegradable, residues of the ingredients - APIs - can accumulate in water bodies and have a lasting effect on the reproduction of fish, for example.

And which treatment solutions can prevent this?
We are then talking about the treatment of contaminated process wastewater, which accumulates in large quantities mainly in the area of cleaning production plants. It would be nice if there were THE egg-laying woolly-milk sow.
Just as API's are developed with a specific efficacy in mind, the treatment solution often has to be just as specifically matched. The possibilities range from our vacuum distillation to membrane and oxidative processes.

What is the advantage of vacuum distillation systems compared to the other solutions, why would you recommend them in particular?
The biggest advantage of a vacuum distillation system is the wide range of applications with only one core technology. This also saves a lot of space.
In addition, several active substances are often produced, so that a colourful API mix is contained in the waste water. Our VACUDEST vacuum distillation system has so far coped well with the different substances. A plus point in terms of flexibility.

And why H2O of all things?
I think every manufacturer has claimed to have the best product. And this is where the first difference can be found: We at H2O don't just sell a product, but a solution that we work out together with our customers. Starting with the first contact through the sales department, through professional wastewater consulting in our laboratory, project planning by our engineers, production in Steinen, Baden, to - if the customer wishes - support through our worldwide active service. We accompany the customer throughout the entire life of the plant, so that the new, optimally tailored plant solution remains optimal for a long time.

Finally, something private:
What was the nicest compliment someone ever paid you?
The "Yes, I do" from my fiancée (and now wife) at the registry office.

What would you get up for in the middle of the night?
If my bladder is pressing, otherwise I have a blessed sleep and often wake up in the morning just as I went to sleep.

If you had three wishes: What would they be?
The past weeks and months have shown more than clearly how important health is. Everything else will follow.