“We know water well” is how Bruno Collareda, founder of O.M.C. Collareda based in Schio, province of Vicenza, introduces himself. The treatment and recovery of water and fibers, as well as primary and final water treatment, are at the core of O.M.C. Collareda activities for the paper industry.
A sector that tackles, with technologies entirely made in Italy and with a consulting and engineering approach, the needs of paper mills around the world.
An activity in continuous evolution: an interview with Bruno Collareda
Mr. Bruno, what is O.M.C. Collareda current activity?
Currently, the activity consists in design, production, assembly and start-up of systems to treat water coming from industrial and civil processes, biological systems, primary water treatment, sludge dewatering, stock preparation systems for the Paper Industry, for any type of paper and complete deinking plants. Particular attention is paid to all engineering and design services: with a specialized Technical Department, where skillful technicians work constantly to research and develop new projects in order to be up-to-date, and a Research and Development Laboratory that boasts the most modern equipment.
We know water. We design and build water purification systems
A market where 70% of the systems designed and produced by the company are then installed all over the world. What can you tell us about this?
This constant development of the company always led to the stipulation of new important contracts in the USA and Centre-South America. For example, we have just completed a plant in Argentina that will allow our customer, a paper mill of a large group, to recover almost 50% of the wastewater. We are also in the process of starting up an impressive complete water purification plant, worth over six million euros, installed at a Mexican customer. Our commercial technicians never stand still: at the moment, we are in the process of negotiating other plants in Mexico and Russia.
You have a wide range of products and technologies that many have tried to imitate. What is it that still sets you apart and makes the difference despite all this?
The ability to be partner of our customers and not only simple suppliers is what makes the difference. We meet our customer in person, provided by an accurate technical dossier, with detailed plants projects. We evaluate case by case, proposing the most suitable customized solutions in compliance with laws and the main customer’s needs: recycling of raw materials, recovery of water and energy saving. From the very first stages of negotiations, expert people intervene. They are not just commercial ones but “pure” technicians, able to understand the clients’ needs and then formulate the most appropriate solutions to propose.
When it comes to water treatment and recovery, O.M.C. Collareda can satisfy any of its customers’ needs: from the closing of cycles inside the paper mill, applying flotation systems suitable for the recovery of primary water, to the treatment of wastewater using anaerobic and aerobic biological systems, with the recovery and reuse of treated water through filtration, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. Mr. Collareda, all this with completely “Made in Italy” technology?
One of our greatest satisfactions is to propose our technology all over the world, boasting the “Made in Italy” manufacturing. In fact, everything is built and pre-assembled by our staff at our factory, and every phase is followed with care.
Design, study, ideas, intuitions, are part of our baggage, of our culture, and we are proud of it.
What about certifications?
O.M.C. Collareda was one of the first companies back in 1995, to obtain UNI EN ISO 9001 Quality Certificate, a certification that places it on the market with prime standards to guarantee the quality and efficiency of production and management processes. All this without forgetting sustainability and environmental protection: water is a precious asset, essential wealth and life source.
We therefore try to protect this unique and valuable resource in every way, continuing to invest in the Italian territory but looking also at globalization.
