Industrial Enzymes & Bio-Ingredients worked example

Downstream Recovery at 8.64% expected downstream loss share: a worked example

This worked example runs the downstream recovery numbers for a tougher week than the baseline: 8.64% expected downstream loss share instead of the typical 12%. Estimate the cost impact of downstream recovery loss using activity units entering recovery, cost per lost unit, expected loss share, and fixed processing costs.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Activity units entering downstream: 4,200 MMU (held at the documented default)
  • Cost per lost activity unit: 18 $ / MMU (held at the documented default)
  • Expected downstream loss share: 8.64 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 12)
  • Fixed downstream processing cost: 9,500 $ (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Variable downstream recovery cost = activity units entering downstream × cost per lost activity unit × expected downstream loss share.
  • Total downstream recovery cost works out to 16,032 $ at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Cost per lost activity unit works out to 3.82 $ / MMU at these inputs.
  • Variable downstream recovery cost works out to 6,532 $ at these inputs.
  • Fixed downstream processing cost works out to 9,500 $ at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where expected downstream loss share sits at 12% and the headline result is 18,572 $, this scenario comes in 13.68% below the baseline at 16,032 $.
  • Use it when costing a DSP train, comparing membrane or resin options, or building a per-batch COGS model for an enzyme or bio-ingredient. A result at this level usually justifies acting on the stressed input before touching anything else, because every other figure in the table is downstream of it.

Results at a glance

  • Total downstream recovery cost: 16,032 $ (headline result)
  • Cost per lost activity unit: 3.82 $ / MMU
  • Variable downstream recovery cost: 6,532 $
  • Fixed downstream processing cost: 9,500 $

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Downstream Recovery calculator, set expected downstream loss share to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.