Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, has successfully implemented a cutting-edge Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology at its Mahachai facility in Thailand. Designed and built by Gradiant, a global specialist in advanced water and wastewater treatment, the new ZLD system recovers 90–95% of wastewater for reuse while also extracting valuable minerals for industrial use—marking a significant step forward in sustainable water management.

Tackling water scarcity with sustainable dye production

Archroma’s Mahachai site, located in a water-stressed region near Bangkok, now serves as a benchmark for sustainable practices in textile dye production. By integrating Gradiant’s membrane- and oxidation-based ZLD system, the company significantly reduces its reliance on local water sources and bolsters its environmental resilience.

“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,” said Dhirendra Gautam, VP Global Marketing and Strategy at Archroma. “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.”

Archroma’s broader sustainability mission is focused on addressing critical industry challenges, particularly excessive water consumption in apparel and textile production. The Mahachai plant illustrates how cutting-edge solutions can turn wastewater into a resource rather than a burden.

Advanced technology powers high-efficiency water reuse

Since 2019, Archroma has assessed various ZLD technologies to meet the increasing water challenges in Thailand. Ultimately, Gradiant’s Counterflow Reverse Osmosis (CFRO) system was selected for its ability to treat complex wastewater streams efficiently and with low energy consumption. The modular system integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure, optimizing desalination and maximizing water recovery while reducing the plant’s overall environmental footprint.

To further purify wastewater, Gradiant also implemented its Free Radical Oxidation (FRO) technology to remove color and organic matter from the RO concentrate. This ensures compliance with strict environmental standards and enables the recovery of concentrated brine. Archroma repurposes this brine in its dyeing processes or supplies it to partners for industrial applications such as resin regeneration and chlorine production—strengthening the circular economy in water and resource use.

“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,” said Prakash Govindan, COO of Gradiant. “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.”

Scaling sustainable innovation beyond Thailand

Thailand faces growing water stress caused by climate change, extreme droughts, and outdated infrastructure. In this context, Archroma’s adoption of ZLD technology ensures long-term operational stability and minimizes its dependence on freshwater sources. This multi-million-dollar investment is part of Archroma’s global effort to transform the textile industry through sustainable innovation. In addition to the Mahachai project, the company operates a Sustainable Effluent Treatment (SET) plant in Jamshoro, Pakistan, which has been supplying irrigation water to nearby communities.

By collaborating with Gradiant, Archroma reinforces its commitment to pioneering advanced, responsible solutions that support economic, environmental, and industrial sustainability on a global scale.