Huntsman Textile Effects, which provides dyes and chemicals to textile plants around the world, recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its primary manufacturing facility in the Americas, Mexico’s Huntsman Atoto. Now, the company wants to make Atoto a “zero liquid discharge” plant.
Opened in 1965, Atoto—the only dye and chemicals synthesis facility in North and South America—has a history of innovation and sustainability.
“It has long been important to Huntsman that we work with people who share our passion for reducing the textile industry’s environmental impact while preserving its economic contribution as an employer and a driver of exports,” Paul Hulme, the company’s president, told media.
He also said last month that Atoto has invested more than $50 million since 2010, which has provided the plant with top-of-the-line manufacturing and effluent treatment processes that will help contribute to a more sustainable textile industry. An additional $5 million will be invested in the next 12 to 15 months to expand the ISO 9001-certified facility’s product collection, which currently includes dyes and chemicals like Lanaset, Teratop and UV-Fast.
Mexico’s textile and apparel industry currently accounts for roughly 6 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and nearly 20 percent of all manufacturing employment in Mexico.
“With a genuine commitment to sustainability, the Atoto team has contributed to the prosperity of Atotonilquillo and promoted safe, clean and efficient production to help change the textile industry worldwide,” Hulme concluded. “This plant uses state-of-the-art manufacturing and effluent treatment processes and has rich technical expertise and a relentless focus on the highest environmental, health and safety standards.”