In addition to the food industry, anaerobic technology can be applied in the chemical industry as well. Typically for these industrial types of wastewater is the high organic pollution which is often limited to a few components that can be present in high concentrations. Dilution may be required before anaerobic treatment becomes feasible.

UASB as EGSB processes have also been applied in the chemical / pharmaceutical industry.

Some industrial /pharmaceutical production processes where anaerobic technology has been applied:

- Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA)
- Phenol
- DMT
- Penicillin
- Insulin