Upgrade performance without rebuilding your plant
Municipal wastewater treatment operators across Europe and other regions are facing challenges: stricter effluent targets, rising energy and maintenance costs, and aging membrane installations are placing pressure on existing MBR plants. When plate-and-frame modules reach end of life, operators are often left with limited and costly options, ranging from the replacement of numerous individual components to the procurement of entirely new filtration systems.
MYTEX Retrofit was developed as an alternative approach. It offers a planned modernization concept that allows existing plants to remain in operation while achieving measurable improvements in capacity and performance within a defined budget framework.
The problem with replacements
As membrane modules age, operators typically encounter two main scenarios:
- Expensive replacement parts (e.g., individual components) that drive up cost and downtime
- Full module replacement, often requiring higher investment, risking operational interruptions and may upgrade of auxiliary equipment
This situation was also encountered at the municipal wastewater treatment plant in Bodrum, Turkey, where outdated membranes needed to be renewed.
The MYTEX approach: Retrofit as a controlled, scalable upgrade
MYTEX Retrofit is a drop-in solution for all plate-and-frame modules, allows modernization to be carried out step by step with predictable timelines and costs. Importantly, it can be implemented without additional retrofitting or changes to the auxiliary equipment and further to the control system, allowing peripherals and operational processes to remain unchanged.
What this means for municipalities:
- Plannable modernization instead of a complete rebuild
- Short shutdown windows (designed for fast execution)
- Cost control through targeted replacement strategy
- Operational stability by keeping controls/peripherals intact
Replacement strategy that fits real-world budgets: focus on only the filtration part of the submerged membranes.
Instead of getting stuck in a costly cycle of expensive component replacements, MYTEX Retrofit supports replacement using standardized blocks or modules. Replacement outfitting using blocks or modules that can be precisely tailored to match the existing footprint, a practical approach for municipal plants planning staged CAPEX and scheduled maintenance windows.
This modular approach allows utilities to upgrade progressively, simplify procurement processes, and reduce the risk of hidden costs that often arise from piecemeal repairs.
Case Study: Bodrum, Turkey – planned and measurable results
Following the implementation of MYTEX Retrofit at the municipal wastewater treatment plant in Bodrum, the project achieved clearly defined outcomes under real operating conditions.
- Minimal retrofit time: Installation was completed within four hours.
- Lower investment cost: A cost-effective alternative to expensive individual components
- Increased capacity within the same footprint: +50% capacity, increasing from 320 to 480 m² without any change to the existing layout
- Robust module technology: The modules were described as highly robust for suction operation and incorporate a self-healing membrane structure.
Overall, the Bodrum project illustrates how a retrofit strategy can serve as a practical alternative to the replacement of outdated modules. Investment requirements and downtime were reduced while plant performance was improved.
Built for current requirements
MYTEX Retrofit is positioned as an upgrade platform rather than a fixed system. This flexibility is particularly relevant for municipalities and international operators, where procurement rules, long term framework agreements, and technology preferences may vary by region.
Key aspects considered in MYTEX Retrofit projects include:
- PFAS-free solution (as specified for MYTEX Retrofit projects)
- Free membrane choice
- Over 80,000 configuration options
- Designed for municipal end customers looking for predictable modernization
Why municipalities are choosing retrofit solutions
Retrofit concepts align with the practical constraints of public infrastructure projects:
- Budget cycles demand phased investments
- Downtime must be kept to a minimum
- Performance improvements are expected without expanding the plant footprint
- Upgrades should not trigger control-system overhauls
MYTEX Retrofit has been developed with these conditions in mind.
Next step: assessing retrofit potential
If your plant operates plate and frame membrane modules and you are planning a modernization, MYTEX Retrofit can be evaluated as a drop in upgrade option, ranging from a targeted replacement strategy to a staged upgrade plan.
Do you operate a municipal wastewater treatment plant and aim to increase capacity without changing the existing footprint or control system? For further information and individual assessment, please contact Andreas Bareth as your dedicated point of contact.
WTA UNISOL will also be exhibiting at IFAT Munich 2026 and can be visited at booth A2 534 for direct discussion of MYTEX Retrofit solutions.
Further technical details and background information will be available here:
Discover MYTEX Retrofit
