Chennai: In a significant stride towards sustainable industrial practices, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has developed and deployed an advanced electrochemical-based technology for treating textile wastewater.

A pilot plant installed at Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, has demonstrated a marked reduction in harmful compounds, enhancing the feasibility of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems.

The new system, named Electrochemical Ozone Oxidation Process (ECOOP), addresses the high operational and environmental costs typically associated with conventional ZLD plants.

The project is led by Prof. Indumathi M. Nambi from the Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, and aims to support the textile industry in complying with environmental regulations while reducing energy and infrastructure demands.

Implemented at the Kunnankalpalayam Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) in 2023, the pilot system achieved 96% colour removal and 60% Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) reduction in dyebath effluent. Based on its success, the system has been scaled up to treat 400 litres per day.

Key advantages of the new technology include 75% reduction in load on Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems, chlorine-free colour removal, and significantly lower carbon footprint. “Our system cuts total treatment costs by 25% and reduces RO infrastructure costs by 75%,” said Prof. Nambi. The process also avoids carcinogenic byproducts associated with chlorine treatment.

The initiative is backed by the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC). A related ecotoxicology workshop was held in November 2023, with participation from German universities and Indian research bodies, fostering collaborative innovation.

Tiruppur District Collector T. Christuraj, IAS, inaugurated the pilot project in December 2023. The plant has been operational since and continues to undergo optimization.

The textile sector, a major contributor to India's GDP and exports, accounts for nearly 20% of global clean water pollution. This IIT Madras initiative offers a sustainable and scalable path forward for environmentally responsible industrial wastewater treatment.