Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, has successfully implemented cutting-edge Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology at its Mahachai plant in Thailand. Developed in collaboration with Gradiant, a world leader in advanced water and wastewater treatment, this milestone project enables 90-95% of wastewater to be recovered for reuse, while extracting valuable minerals for industrial applications.
Located near Bangkok in a water-stressed region, the Mahachai plant now serves as a model for sustainable textile dye production. Archroma’s investment in ZLD technology reinforces its commitment to reducing water consumption, minimizing environmental impact, and promoting circularity in resource management.
Pioneering Sustainable Water Solutions
Archroma’s partnership with Gradiant introduces an advanced membrane- and oxidation-based ZLD system, effectively addressing water challenges in the textile industry.
“We believe in reducing water use at every stage—from production to home laundering,” said Dhirendra Gautam, VP Global Marketing and Strategy, Archroma. “By implementing innovative solutions to remove toxins and contaminants, we simplify wastewater treatment for our plants and customers. Our goal is to ensure that all Archroma facilities, especially those in water-stressed regions, have effective conservation systems in place.”
Since 2019, Archroma has evaluated various ZLD solutions to tackle Thailand’s growing water concerns. Gradiant’s Counterflow Reverse Osmosis (CFRO) technology was chosen for its ability to handle diverse wastewater compositions with superior efficiency and minimal energy consumption. The system seamlessly integrates with Archroma’s existing wastewater infrastructure, maximizing desalination and water recovery while reducing environmental impact.
In addition to CFRO, Gradiant’s Free Radical Oxidation (FRO) technology has been deployed to remove color and organics from the RO concentrate, ensuring safe discharge and compliance with stringent environmental regulations. The system also facilitates the recovery of concentrated brine, which Archroma repurposes in its dyeing processes or supplies to industry partners for resin regeneration and chlorine production, further advancing circular economy principles.
Driving Sustainable Manufacturing & Water Stewardship
“Water-intensive industries are under increasing pressure to adopt responsible solutions,” said Prakash Govindan, COO of Gradiant. “This partnership with Archroma demonstrates how advanced water treatment technologies can enhance sustainability without compromising operational efficiency. Our ZLD solution at Mahachai maximizes water recovery, reduces environmental impact, and creates valuable resource streams.”
With climate change, extreme droughts, and aging infrastructure contributing to mounting water stress in Thailand, sustainable water management is more crucial than ever. By implementing Gradiant’s ZLD solution, Archroma significantly reduces its dependence on freshwater sources, ensuring long-term operational resilience.
This multi-million-dollar investment highlights Archroma’s unwavering dedication to water conservation and its broader mission to transform the textile industry through sustainable innovation. Beyond Thailand, the company continues to expand its ZLD initiatives globally, including its Sustainable Effluent Treatment (SET) plant in Jamshoro, Pakistan, which provides irrigation water to surrounding communities.
Through this collaboration with Gradiant, Archroma reaffirms its commitment to leveraging innovative solutions that drive economic, environmental, and industrial sustainability worldwide.
