The ecological and digital transition of the Textile and Apparel Industry (ITV) is no longer a plan for the future — it is happening right now. As part of the 3rd Mobilizing Agendas Meeting, VentilAQUA was present to demonstrate the practical breakthroughs achieved through Projeto Lusitano, a disruptive initiative focused on shaping a sustainable future for textile wastewater.
The Context: Regulation and ESG Pressure in the Textile Sector
With European carbon neutrality goals and stringent ESG and CSRD frameworks just around the corner, the industrial sector faces a double challenge: complying with increasingly strict discharge limits while mitigating skyrocketing operational costs (OPEX).
Traditional wastewater treatment processes — which rely heavily on chemical dosing and generate massive volumes of contaminated sludge — have become economically unviable and environmentally unsustainable. The answer lies in advanced electrochemical engineering.
Projeto Lusitano: Advanced Technology with Zero Chemical Reliance
Projeto Lusitano was specifically designed to offer circular solutions for the treatment and direct reuse of water within the industrial process. By utilizing an approach built on electrocoagulation (VABEC® technology) and electrooxidation, we eliminate reliance on traditional chemical dosing.
The technical and economic results showcased at the event are divided into two major textile effluent typologies:
1. Industrial Laundries (VABEC® Electrocoagulation)
Engineered for wastewater with light to moderate organic contamination and high turbidity.
- Technical Gains: COD removal between 60%-75% and turbidity removal higher than 96%.
- Economic Gain: An optimized and extremely low energy consumption of just 0.2 kWh/m3.
2. Complex Textile Wastewater (Dyeing & Finishing)
For complex effluents characterized by high salinity, intense color, and heavy chemical loads, we apply a precise two-step electrochemical approach:
- Step 1 (VABEC® Electrocoagulation): Removal of heavy organic loads and suspended solids, ensuring a COD removal of 40-50% and TSS removal higher than 90%. Energy consumption is kept strictly below 1 kWh/m3.
- Step 2 (VABEC® Electrooxidation / SteriCIP®): Advanced polishing and deep oxidation to destroy persistent dye colors and provide disinfection, making the water completely safe for circular reuse back into the process.
Economic Gains and Sustainability Moving Hand in Hand
For industrial decision-makers and plant managers, the impact of Projeto Lusitano directly improves the financial bottom line:
- Water Cost Reduction: Lower fresh water intake due to the high internal reuse rate.
- Waste Minimization: Drastically lower footprint and volume of chemical sludge generated for disposal.
- Energy Efficiency: Low-consumption automated processes that reduce indirect CO2 emissions.
VentilAQUA is proud to be part of this collective effort funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and the European Union (NextGenerationEU). We will continue to lead the development of high-end engineering that turns regulatory obligations into real competitive advantages for our clients.