Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, has successfully implemented an advanced Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology at its Mahachai plant in Thailand. Designed and built by Gradiant, a global expert in water and wastewater treatment, this system enables 90-95% wastewater recovery for reuse while extracting valuable minerals for industrial applications.
Sustainable Innovation for the Textile Industry
Located in a water-stressed region near Bangkok, the Mahachai plant now serves as a model for sustainable textile dye production. The high-efficiency, membrane- and oxidation-based ZLD solution, developed in partnership with Gradiant, significantly reduces reliance on local water supplies and enhances environmental resilience.
Archroma remains committed to addressing water consumption challenges in the textile and apparel industry. Dhirendra Gautam, VP Global Marketing and Strategy, Archroma, said, “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. Our goal is to equip our plants with effective water conservation facilities, especially in water-stressed areas, to combat acute water scarcity worldwide”.
Gradiant’s Cutting-Edge ZLD Technology
Since 2019, Archroma has evaluated various ZLD solutions to tackle Thailand’s growing water challenges. After rigorous assessment, the company selected Gradiant’s Counterflow Reverse Osmosis (CFRO) due to its superior ability to treat diverse wastewater compositions efficiently while minimizing energy consumption. The modular system seamlessly integrates with the plant’s existing wastewater treatment infrastructure, maximizing desalination capacity and water recovery while reducing its environmental footprint.
In addition to CFRO, Archroma has deployed Gradiant’s Free Radical Oxidation (FRO) technology, which removes color and organics from RO concentrate, ensuring safe discharge and compliance with 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 resin regeneration and chlorine production. This approach further promotes a circular economy in water and resource management.
Industry Leadership in Water Conservation
Prakash Govindan, COO of Gradiant, highlighted, “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”.
Strengthening Thailand’s Water Resilience
Thailand continues to face severe water stress due to climate change, extreme droughts, and aging infrastructure. The implementation of Gradiant’s ZLD solution helps Archroma reduce its dependence on freshwater sources, ensuring long-term operational sustainability in a resource-constrained environment.
Global Expansion of Water Stewardship Initiatives
The multi-million-dollar investment reflects Archroma’s unwavering commitment to water conservation and sustainable innovation. Beyond Thailand, the company continues to expand its ZLD initiatives globally. Its Sustainable Effluent Treatment (SET) plant in Jamshoro, Pakistan, for instance, has been successfully providing irrigation water to surrounding communities.
A Commitment to a Greener Future
By partnering with Gradiant, Archroma reinforces its global commitment to sustainability. As per the press release, through innovative solutions, the company continues to drive economic, environmental, and industrial transformation, setting new benchmarks for responsible water management in the textile industry.
