Apr 2, 2025

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, will use state-of-the-art Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology at its Mahachai plant in Thailand to enable water reuse and resource recovery from wastewater from textile production. Water circularity in the textile industry The ZLD solution was designed and built by Gradiant, a global leader in advanced water and wastewater treatment. This project marks a major leap forward in water circularity for Archroma. It will enable the sustainable specialty chemicals company to recover 90-95 per cent of its wastewater for reuse and also for the extraction of valuable minerals for industrial applications. Archroma partnered with Gradiant to deploy a high-efficiency, membrane and oxidation-based ZLD solution as part of its broader sustainability strategy to address some of the critical challenges within the apparel and textile industry, particularly water consumption. Sustainable management in a water-stressed area The company’s Mahachai plant is located in a water-stressed region near Bangkok and the installation of the ZLD solution marks a commitment to responsible water management in the textile industry, as well as helping to reduce the plant’s reliance on local water supplies. Dhirendra Gautam, VP Global Marketing and Strategy, Archroma, told media: “We believe in reducing water use in production and home laundering. We innovate to remove toxins and contaminants from our products, making wastewater treatment easier for our plants and customers.” He added: “Our goal is to require our plants to have effective water conservation facilities with special focus on water stressed areas, contributing to water conservation and helping to combat acute water scarcity worldwide.” Evaluating ZLD technologies Since 2019, Archroma has evaluated various ZLD solutions in its quest to address growing water challenges in Thailand. Gradiant’s Counterflow Reverse Osmosis (CFRO) was selected as the preferred technology for its ability to treat diverse wastewater compositions with superior efficiency and minimal energy consumption. The modular system was able to seamlessly integrate with the plant’s existing wastewater treatment infrastructure, helping to maximise desalination capacity and water recovery while at the same reducing the plant’s environmental footprint. Archroma has also deployed Gradiant’s Free Radical Oxidation (FRO) technology to remove colour and organics from the reverse osmosis concentrate. This ensures safe discharge while meeting strict environmental regulations. The system also enables the recovery of concentrated brine, which Archroma repurposes within the dyeing process or supplies to industry partners for applications such as resin regeneration and chlorine production, further promoting a circular economy in water and resource management. Prakash Govindan, COO of Gradiant, told media: “Water-intensive industries are under increasing pressure to adopt responsible solutions, and this partnership with Archroma demonstrates how advanced water treatment can drive sustainability without compromising operational efficiency.” He added: “Our ZLD solution at Mahachai leverages innovative membrane and oxidation technologies to maximize water recovery, reduce environmental impact, and create valuable resource streams. We are proud to support Archroma’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing and water stewardship.” Reducing the need for freshwater usage Thailand faces mounting water stress due to climate change, extreme droughts, and aging infrastructure, making sustainable water management an urgent priority. By implementing Gradiant’s ZLD solution, Archroma significantly reduces its dependence on freshwater sources, ensuring long-term operational resilience in a resource-constrained environment. Source: Aquatech