Exclusive Interview by K. Gopalakrishnan, Pics by Manikandan
At ITMA ASIA 2025 in Singapore, WaterNext Group S.P.A received an exceptional response from visitors representing textile hubs across South America, Asia, and Africa. The company’s innovative wastewater treatment and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technologies—built entirely on biological processes—garnered significant attention as global manufacturers accelerate their shift toward sustainability. As an Italian company with the team experience over 30 years , WaterNext has emerged as a global leader in automated, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective effluent treatment solutions tailored specifically for the textile sector.
In an insightful conversation, Mr. Pranay Behl, Co-Founder of WaterNext Group SpA, discussed the company’s pioneering work in biological wastewater treatment, recent technological advancements, and the strong growth momentum across India and international markets.
Pioneers of Biological Wastewater Treatment and ZLD
WaterNext was one of the first companies to introduce biological systems to the textile industry and among the earliest to execute a full-fledged ZLD plant in India. Mr. Behl highlighted that the company’s solutions were designed from the outset to replace conventional chemical-based systems—which consume significant resources and generate hazardous sludge—with natural biological processes.
“In conventional ETPs, effluents first undergo chemical treatment before biological processing. In contrast, our approach is entirely biological, making it more sustainable and significantly reducing operational costs,” Mr. Behl explained.
WaterNext’s biological systems rely on beneficial bacteria to remove pollutants, resulting in non-toxic sludge that can be repurposed as organic manure. The approach not only reduces environmental impact but also delivers a dramatic reduction in operational expenditure—often up to 3-5 times lower than traditional treatment plants and produces sludge which is Non Toxic making their offerings completely sustainable.
Automation-Driven, Low-Cost, High-Efficiency Operations
A defining aspect of WaterNext’s technology is end-to-end automation. The company has invested heavily in creating a fully automated ecosystem, with in-house capabilities for software development, control panels, and reverse osmosis (RO) systems. This allows their ETPs and ZLD plants to be monitored and operated remotely from anywhere in the world.
“Today, we are able to operate plants sitting across the globe, directly from the screen of a smart device,” Mr. Behl said. “And we’re not talking about small units—these are full-scale ZLD plants with advanced recovery systems.”
Automation has also reduced the manpower requirement dramatically. While traditional systems require 10–15 operators, WaterNext’s plants can run efficiently with just one skilled operator, further lowering costs and ensuring process consistency.
Membrane-Based Technologies for Superior Recovery
WaterNext’s ZLD and wastewater recovery solutions revolve around membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology, which serves as the foundation of their treatment process. The company has continuously refined membrane filtration and RO systems to deliver extremely high recovery rates.
“Our water recovery process involves just three steps, with high levels of automation,” Mr. Behl emphasized. Through continuous innovation, recovery rates have improved from 70% in earlier RO systems to 95–97% reuse of treated wastewater today, delivering uninterrupted 24/7 water feed to dyeing and processing units.
Few companies possess the breadth of in-house expertise in biological treatment, membrane technologies, and RO design that WaterNext offers, making its systems reliable, integrated, and future-ready.
Strong Global Presence and Deep Roots in parts of Asia and South America
As a team having executed over 500 effluent treatment plants executed worldwide, including more than 100 focused on wastewater recovery, WaterNext has built a global reputation as a trusted solutions provider. Its footprint spans Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, Colombia, Africa, Mexico, and Italy, among other regions.
India, however, remains a core market for ZLD systems. Having executed the country’s first biological systems with the iconic Trident project in Punjab, followed by India’s first MBR–RO installation in Budhni. The company now works with leading textile majors including Vardhman Group and Nitin Spinners, with multiple large-scale installations under active execution.
“Technical know-how and proven track record are extremely important,” Mr. Behl said. “There is not just one plant—there are many live references. Over the years, we have improved systems to give the end user the ease of operation with zero human intervention.”
Innovating for Sustainability: CO₂-Based pH Neutralization
WaterNext’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond biological treatment. The company has recently developed a groundbreaking system that captures CO₂ from boiler chimney exhaust and channels it into the effluent treatment process for pH neutralization.
This innovation delivers two major sustainability benefits:
- Reduced or eliminated carbon emissions by reusing chimney CO₂
- Reduced dependence on sulphuric acid, lowering costs and chemical usage
Many WaterNext plants installed more than a decade ago continue to operate efficiently with minimal maintenance, demonstrating the durability and reliability of their systems.
With sustainability becoming a global imperative, WaterNext stands at the forefront of transforming textile wastewater treatment through biological systems, automation, and innovative technologies. The company’s proven ability to execute high-performance ZLD and wastewater recovery plants—combined with strong after-sales support and global presence—positions it as a preferred partner for textile manufacturers seeking cost-effective, eco-friendly solutions.
“We are dedicated to advancing sustainability in the textile sector by offering solutions that are both environmentally friendly and economically viable,” Massimiliano Previdi, Co-Founder, WaterNext Group SpA said. “Our goal is customer delight through smooth plant operation and long-term performance.”
As industries worldwide embrace circularity and resource efficiency, WaterNext is poised to lead the next chapter in sustainable water management for the global textile sector.