Archroma & Gradiant advance water sustainability in Thailand

Archroma, known for its work in specialty chemicals, has installed a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system at its Mahachai plant in Thailand, designed by Gradiant. The system is expected to recover 90-95% of wastewater for reuse and extract minerals for industrial use.

The collaboration between Archroma and Gradiant at the Mahachai textile plant represents a significant step toward sustainable water management. Located in a region near Bangkok that is affected by water scarcity, the project aims to reduce the plant's reliance on local water supplies and enhance environmental resilience. The project utilises a membrane- and oxidation-based ZLD solution to handle diverse wastewater compositions efficiently.

Archroma has been working on addressing significant water challenges in the textile industry, focusing on reducing water consumption in both production and home laundering. Dhirendra Gautam, Vice President of Global Marketing and Strategy at Archroma, stated, "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 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."

Since 2019, Archroma has been exploring various ZLD solutions in response to mounting water challenges in Thailand. Gradiant's Counterflow Reverse Osmosis (CFRO) technology was ultimately selected due to its efficiency in treating varying wastewater compositions with minimal energy use. This solution integrates with existing wastewater treatment infrastructure, enhancing desalination capacity and water recovery while reducing environmental impact.

Gradiant's system also incorporates Free Radical Oxidation (FRO) technology to remove colour and organics from the Reverse Osmosis concentrate, ensuring environmental compliance. Additionally, concentrated brine recovered through this process is repurposed in dyeing processes or supplied to industry partners, aiding in resin regeneration and chlorine production.

Prakash Govindan, Chief Operating Officer of Gradiant, commented on the partnership, "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. 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."

Thailand's challenges with water scarcity due to climate change, extreme droughts, and aging infrastructure make sustainable water management a top priority. Gradiant's ZLD solution aids Archroma in significantly reducing its reliance on freshwater, ensuring the plant's long-term resilience.

This investment aligns with Archroma's dedication to transforming the textile industry through sustainable practices. Beyond Thailand, Archroma is pursuing similar initiatives globally, such as its Sustainable Effluent Treatment plant in Jamshoro, Pakistan, which provides irrigation water to local communities.

Through its partnership with Gradiant, Archroma continues to adopt solutions that promote economic, environmental, and industrial sustainability on a global level.