Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, has won awards in the Innovation and Environmental categories in the 2025 Just Style Excellence Awards for its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and performance in the apparel and textile industry.
The Just Style Excellence Awards honor the most significant achievements and innovations in the apparel and textile industry. Powered by GlobalData’s business intelligence, the Awards recognize the people and companies leading change and shaping the future of the industry.
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Archroma won the Innovation award for its bio-based durable water repellent PHOBOTEX® NTR-50, which addresses critical environmental concerns while enhancing fabric performance. The company also received the Environmental award for its Zero Liquid Discharge Project in Mahachai, Thailand, which significantly reduces water consumption and promotes sustainability through advanced wastewater treatment technologies.
Leading the way in water repellent technology: PHOBOTEX® NTR-50
Archroma’s PHOBOTEX® NTR-50 has set a new standard in the realm of durable water repellents (DWR). This innovative product is a bio-based solution that addresses critical environmental concerns prevalent in the textile industry. By being non-PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and non-formaldehyde, PHOBOTEX® NTR-50 enhances consumer safety and aligns with the growing demand for sustainable textile solutions.
PHOBOTEX® NTR-50 provides excellent water repellency while maintaining a soft handle across various fibers. This dual functionality enhances consumer comfort without compromising fabric performance, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from outdoor apparel to home textiles. For instance, outdoor brands can utilize this product to create jackets and pants that repel water while remaining comfortable for prolonged wear, thus meeting the expectations of consumers who prioritize both functionality and comfort.
Furthermore, the product’s versatility allows it to be combined with other functional technologies such as easy-care, odor control and further enhancement to multiple laundry and dry cleaning cycles, offering mills flexibility in their production processes. Archroma’s commitment to supporting the industry in optimizing production efficiencies is also evident in the design of PHOBOTEX® NTR-50, which performs reliably even at elevated temperatures. This characteristic is crucial for industrial scalability, efficiency and reproducibility, ensuring that manufacturers can produce high-quality textiles consistently.
Additionally, the product qualifies for the High IQ® Repel assurance program, which assures that treated textiles meet stringent environmental standards while delivering consistent performance. This program not only reassures consumers about the safety and efficacy of the products they purchase, but also helps brands differentiate themselves in a competitive market.
By utilizing renewable feedstock, PHOBOTEX® NTR-50 exemplifies Archroma’s dedication to its ‘Planet Conscious’ vision and it perfectly aligns to upcoming regulations such as the EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles, which supports the industry transition to safer, less-impact textiles. This approach not only makes the product a cost-efficient choice for brands, but also reinforces Archroma’s position as a leader in sustainable textile solutions. The use of renewable materials is increasingly important as brands seek to reduce their carbon footprints and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
Advancing water circularity: Zero Liquid Discharge project in Thailand
The Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Project in Mahachai, Thailand, represents a significant step forward in Archroma’s sustainability journey and contribution towards sustainable practices of the textile industry. This innovative wastewater treatment process reclaims an impressive 90-95% of wastewater, drastically reducing the plant’s reliance on local water supplies. In a region facing severe water stress, this initiative is a critical step toward promoting water circularity and sustainability. The ability to reclaim such a high percentage of water not only alleviates pressure on local water resources, but also demonstrates Archroma’s proactive approach to addressing global water scarcity issues.
The ZLD system employs advanced membrane technologies that achieve high efficiency in particle removal, while minimizing environmental impact and energy consumption. The technology allows for the effective separation of contaminants from wastewater, enabling the recovery of clean water that can be reused in the production process. By converting wastewater into clean water and usable recovered effluent, Archroma addresses local water scarcity and contributes to the principles of a circular economy. This sustainable model transforms waste outputs into valuable inputs for other industrial processes, further enhancing resource efficiency.
For example, the concentrated brine produced as a byproduct of the ZLD process can be utilized in dyeing processes or by partners along the value chain for industrial applications such as resin regeneration. This not only reduces waste but also creates additional value from what would otherwise be considered a disposal challenge.
Collaboration with Gradiant, a leader in water solutions, has enabled Archroma to implement a compact modular ZLD system tailored to a variety of wastewater compositions and flow rates. This innovative approach optimizes speed and efficiency, ensuring that the treatment process is both effective and economically viable. The modular design allows for scalability, meaning that as production needs change, the system can be adjusted accordingly without significant additional investment.
The Mahachai plant’s ZLD initiative is a testament to Archroma’s broader commitment to sustainability and innovation. By investing in technologies that provide effective solutions for water management, Archroma aligns its operations with global sustainability targets, demonstrating that industrial processes can be both efficient and environmentally responsible. The initiative not only enhances Archroma’s operational sustainability, but also positions the company as a leader in the industry’s shift towards more responsible manufacturing practices.
Through innovative products like PHOBOTEX® NTR-50 and transformative projects such as the Zero Liquid Discharge initiative, Archroma is addressing pressing environmental challenges while setting new benchmarks for the industry.
Company Profile
Archroma is a global, diversified provider of specialty chemicals serving the branded and performance textiles, packaging and paper, and construction markets.
Headquartered in Pratteln, Switzerland, Archroma operates with over 4,000 employees located in 42 countries and with over 30 production sites.
Archroma is passionate about delivering leading and innovative solutions, enhancing people’s lives and respecting the planet. The company is committed to the principles of “The Archroma Way to a Sustainable World”; an approach reflected in its innovations, world-class quality standards, high service levels and cost-efficiency.
Links
Website: https://www.archroma.com/
