Archroma enhances water circularity through ZLD technology in Thailand
In March, 2025, Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, has successfully implemented cutting-edge Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology at its Mahachai plant in Thailand, which is designed and built by Gradiant, a global pioneer in advanced water and wastewater treatment.
Archroma and Gradiant collaborate to enhance water circularity through cutting-edge ZLD technology in Thailand
This innovative system represents a significant milestone in water circularity. It enables the recovery of 90-95% of wastewater for reuse and extracts valuable minerals for industrial applications, setting a new standard for sustainable water management.
Addressing critical challenges in the apparel and textile industry, particularly water consumption, is a key focus of Archroma’s broader sustainability efforts. Since 2019, Archroma has explored various ZLD solutions to tackle Thailand’s growing water challenges.
Gradiant’s Counterflow Reverse Osmosis (CFRO) technology emerged as the preferred choice due to its ability to efficiently treat diverse wastewater compositions with minimal energy consumption. The modular system integrates seamlessly with the plant’s existing wastewater treatment infrastructure, maximizing desalination capacity and water recovery while minimizing the environmental footprint.
In addition to CFRO, Gradiant’s Free Radical Oxidation (FRO) technology has been implemented to remove color and organic compounds from the reverse osmosis concentrate, ensuring safe discharge and compliance with stringent environmental regulations.
The system also facilitates the recovery of concentrated brine, which Archroma repurposes within its dyeing processes or supplies to industry partners for applications such as resin regeneration and chlorine production. This approach further promotes a circular economy in water and resource management.
Thailand faces escalating 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 has significantly reduced its dependence on freshwater sources, ensuring long-term operational resilience in a resource-constrained environment.
Dhirendra Gautam, Vice President of Global Marketing and Strategy at Archroma, emphasized the company’s vision to reduce water use in both production and home laundering. Through innovation, Archroma eliminate toxins and contaminants from products, simplifying wastewater treatment for plants and customers. Archroma’s goal is to equip our facilities with effective water conservation systems, especially in water-stressed regions, contributing to global water conservation efforts and combating acute water scarcity.
Prakash Govindan, Chief Operating Officer of Gradiant, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “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.”
This multi-million-dollar investment underscores Archroma’s dedication to water conservation and its broader mission to transform the textile industry through sustainable innovation. Beyond Thailand, Archroma continues to expand its ZLD initiatives globally, including its Sustainable Effluent Treatment (SET) plant in Jamshoro, Pakistan, which provides irrigation water to surrounding communities.
