We have been extensively working on newer recycling technologies and projects.
Vishal Mehra
What are the emerging trends in wastewater management? Which are your key projects?
The market for water and wastewater management solutions in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.95% from 2023 to 2027. The Indian government has launched several programmes such as the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, the National Mission for Clean Ganga, the Jal Jeevan Mission, and Community Drinking Water Schemes, for addressing water-related needs and issues. Private companies are also coming up with solutions for better water management and employing sustainable practices and technologies to reduce water pollution.
Thermax has a wide spectrum of products which caters to the water and wastewater requirements, of both industrial and commercial segments. For example, our smallest range of Water Treatment Plant (WTP) can deliver 200 litres per hour of treated water and, goes up to 180 million liters per day (MLD) size capacity, catering to small, medium and large enterprises. In Sewage Treatment Plants (STP), the smallest size that Thermax offers is a 10 KLD plant and the largest one that we have executed so far is around 132 MLD. We also provide Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plants and manufacture multiple-effect evaporators. One of our products which is notably unique, used for solid waste management, known as an incinerator, primarily sees application in hospitals, helping customers to take care of all biomedical waste which needs to incinerated rather thrown out. With these solutions, we have a complete portfolio of water and wastewater plants.
Thermax’s project management and site execution capability has been distinguished in the industry. We carry out the execution with utmost care and support, also taking care of the high levels of safety at every level. We have also built an innovation-led play in niche applications offering solutions-oriented approach to our customers.
Thermax also has an Integrated Service Play with more than 150 performance management sites running across India. Many customers have preferred to stay with us for years. We are also helping customers modernise their facilities by revamping & retrofitting their plants to achieve maximum efficiency in their existing water utilities.
As there is a lot of focus on sustainability initiatives, what are the major things happening in water sector?
There is a heightened focus on sustainability within the water sector, and the industry is rapidly advancing towards integrated water resource management, prioritising the conservation and efficient utilisation of this critical resource. Companies are adopting advanced treatment technologies that enable the reuse and recycling of wastewater, thereby reducing the dependency on freshwater sources. We are seeing the emergence of smart water systems that use the Internet of Things (IoT) to monitor, manage, and optimise water use, reduce wastage, and ensure greater control over water quality and distribution. Desalination technologies are also becoming mainstream, particularly in regions where freshwater scarcity is a concern. These developments are complemented by the incorporation of rainwater harvesting systems into both new and existing infrastructure. ZLD systems are gaining traction, as they help in minimising liquid waste. The use of renewable energy sources to power water treatment plants is another trend that aligns with sustainability goals by reducing the carbon footprint of water infrastructure.
At Thermax, our initiatives in the water sector mirror these trends. We are continuously expanding and enhancing our water and wastewater solutions portfolio to embrace the latest technologies that not only meet environmental regulations, but also cater to the growing need for sustainability and cost-effective water management. By integrating sustainability into our core operations, we contribute significantly to the preservation of water resources.
What are your contributions towards companies becoming water positive?
Water conservation and preservation play a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of adverse climate change leading to stressed conditions for water availability. Our dedicated efforts focus on giving rebirth to water by utilising advanced technologies, aiming to assist customers in significantly reducing freshwater consumption. Some of our clients have not only achieved but have become water positive by deploying zero freshwater requirements through our innovative solutions.
An illustrative case involves a customer saving approximately 3.5 lakh cubic meters of water annually, i.e. 60 Olympic sized swimming pool water saved per year, thanks to our unique technology. Our innovative in-house recycling processes ensures that 90-95% of water is reused, contributing to substantial conservation efforts. For a prominent customer in the metals and mining industry, we implemented a 45 MLD sewage recycling plant i.e., saving freshwater for 1.2 lakh population per day. This facility treats the entire domestic sewage of the city, utilising it in the industry's processes, resulting in a complete elimination of freshwater consumption. Additionally, the lakes and rivers surrounding the industry are now free from sewage pollution.
By integrating our innovative technology with an advanced cooling solution, a prominent potato chips manufacturing company has achieved water positivity, thus making them the water conscious company with their contribution to environment and sustainability.
At Thermax's Water and Waste Solutions business, our commitment to sustainability drives us to continually develop revolutionary products and solutions for our customers. We are dedicated to assisting them in making strides towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
How do you look at the future of water infrastructure in the country? What is your vision on water security and the way forward?
At Thermax, we are driven by our brand promise of ‘Conserving Resources, Preserving the Future.’ With the world’s ever-growing population, this water scarcity is bound to increase – a fact that is being highlighted every day in our water starved cities.
We have been extensively working on newer recycling technologies and projects for sustainable development of cities. From small decentralised plants to large water recycling stations, we prepare the industries and urban cities for this sustainable survival.
We recently executed a kind of a project for a leading non-ferrous major in Rajasthan, where the sewage from Udaipur city is recycled for their process needs, thereby saving freshwater requirement and rejuvenating lakes and water bodies nearby.
More adoption of greener projects like these and use of small sewage recycle systems will help the urban cities and commercial spaces to save water and protect environment.
Our vision as a business of Thermax is to ensure water security through sustainable practices and the adoption of advanced technologies, while staying close to our customers and understanding their unique needs. We aim to continue leading the way in the sector, providing solutions that are not only effective but also available, affordable, and reliable.
As a trusted partner in energy transition, and our commitment towards clean water, we are continuously innovating our portfolio to save critical resources as well as optimise energy usage.
