Archroma, a global leader in sustainable specialty chemicals, has successfully deployed an advanced Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system at its Mahachai plant in Thailand. Designed and implemented in collaboration with Gradiant, a global pioneer in water and wastewater treatment, this cutting-edge solution enables the recovery of 90-95% of wastewater for reuse while extracting valuable minerals for industrial applications. This initiative represents a significant advancement in water circularity, reinforcing Archroma’s commitment to sustainable water management in the textile industry.

The Mahachai plant, situated in a water-stressed region near Bangkok, now serves as a benchmark for environmentally responsible textile dye production. By significantly reducing its dependence on local freshwater sources, the facility enhances its sustainability efforts while addressing broader environmental challenges. As part of its overarching commitment to sustainability, Archroma continues to tackle critical issues related to water consumption in the textile and apparel sectors.

Dhirendra Gautam, VP of Global Marketing and Strategy at Archroma, emphasized the company’s dedication to responsible water use. “We are committed to reducing water consumption, eliminating toxins, and simplifying wastewater treatment for our plants and customers,” he stated. “Our goal is to implement highly efficient water conservation systems, particularly in water-stressed regions, to contribute to global water sustainability and combat increasing water scarcity.”

Since 2019, Archroma has been evaluating various ZLD technologies to address Thailand’s growing water challenges. After rigorous analysis, Gradiant’s Counterflow Reverse Osmosis (CFRO) technology was selected for its ability to treat diverse wastewater compositions with exceptional efficiency and minimal energy consumption. This modular CFRO system integrates seamlessly with the plant’s existing wastewater treatment infrastructure, optimizing desalination capacity, enhancing water recovery, and significantly lowering the facility’s environmental footprint.

To further strengthen its sustainability strategy, Archroma has also implemented Gradiant’s Free Radical Oxidation (FRO) technology, which eliminates color and organic contaminants from the reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate. This ensures compliance with stringent environmental regulations while enabling the recovery of concentrated brine. The recovered brine is repurposed within Archroma’s dyeing processes or supplied to industrial partners for applications such as resin regeneration and chlorine production, reinforcing the principles of a circular economy.

Gradiant’s COO, Prakash Govindan, highlighted the broader impact of this initiative. “Water-intensive industries are under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable solutions. Our ZLD technology at Mahachai demonstrates how advanced membrane and oxidation technologies can maximize water recovery, minimize environmental impact, and create valuable resource streams,” he said. “We are proud to support Archroma’s mission of sustainable manufacturing and responsible water stewardship.”

With Thailand facing mounting water stress due to climate change, extreme droughts, and aging infrastructure, sustainable water management has become an urgent priority. By implementing Gradiant’s ZLD solution, Archroma significantly reduces its reliance on freshwater sources, ensuring long-term operational resilience in a resource-constrained environment. This multi-million-dollar investment underscores Archroma’s dedication to water conservation and its mission to transform the textile industry through sustainable innovation.

Beyond Thailand, Archroma continues to expand its ZLD initiatives globally. This includes its Sustainable Effluent Treatment (SET) plant in Jamshoro, Pakistan, which has been supplying irrigation water to surrounding communities. By partnering with Gradiant, Archroma reaffirms its commitment to pioneering innovative solutions that drive economic, environmental, and industrial sustainability on a global scale.