By Arun Rao
Ion Exchange (India) Ltd, a pioneer in wastewater treatment technologies, has been serving the industry for over 35 years with its comprehensive solutions for effluent treatment plants (ETPs). Headquartered in Mumbai, the company has evolved from manufacturing resins to providing an entire range of water treatment solutions, including key consumables and components, and is the only company in India offering such complete solutions.
With a turnover of Rs 2,000 crore, Ion Exchange manufactures Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plants, decolourisation plants, and COD removal units making it a one-stop solution provider for wastewater treatment.
“We pride ourselves on offering total solutions for water treatment, which is why we refer to ourselves as a total wastewater solutions provider,” Mr. Prabhakar Parab, GM of Technical Services & R&D at Ion Exchange said in an exclusive interview with The Textile Magazine.
A Legacy of Innovation and Expansion
Founded 60 years ago, Ion Exchange started as a manufacturer of resins, eventually expanding its scope to include water treatment chemicals, effluent treatment plants, and as an OEM for ETP components and equipment. Over the last two years, the company has also ventured into the production of membranes for various applications, further solidifying its position as a leader in water treatment.
“We have four production units. One is in Ankleshwar, Gujarat which manufactures resins, the second is in Hosur, Karnataka which manufactures ETP’s and also offers project services which include designing customised solutions. The third production plant is in Goa which produces membranes and the fourth manufacturing facility is in Hyderabad, which produces chemicals. We are now in the process of starting another production plant in Roha, Maharashtra,” Mr Parab informed.
Tailored Solutions for the Textile Industry
For the textile industry, the company provides innovative solutions for recycling wastewater, including its ZLD systems. These solutions incorporate decolorisation of textile dyes using Ion Exchange’s specially formulated absorbent resins. The resins not only remove harmful effects of dyes but also eliminate salts and other additives via reverse osmosis.
“Our deep understanding of the challenges faced by the textile industry in wastewater treatment has allowed us to develop solutions that deliver results,” Mr. Parab said. “For example, our ZLD systems can recover up to 96-97% of water, and in some cases, we’ve achieved recovery rates of 98% which is dependent on the properties of the water. This is a significant improvement over the 80% recovery rate of just 10 years ago,” he informed.
Expanding Global Footprint
Ion Exchange’s influence extends far beyond India, with the company exporting its wastewater treatment solutions to regions such as the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the United States. Recently, the company expanded its European presence with the acquisition of a Portuguese company, which will help enhance its service offerings to clients in that region.
Focus on Sustainability and Water Conservation
High-water-consuming industries are increasingly being encouraged to reduce their reliance on borewell or surface water sources and to recycle as much water as possible. “We help companies achieve this by offering solutions that allow them to recycle maximum amounts of water, making them more sustainable and helping them become water positive,” Mr. Parab explained.
Ion Exchange has made significant strides in improving water recovery through membrane technologies that use less electricity. The company has also introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based solutions to help industries optimize chemical usage and reduce costs, further enhancing the sustainability of their water treatment processes.
“We are committed to offering sustainable solutions that help industries meet both their operational and environmental goals,” Mr. Parab concluded.
