Huntsman Textile Effects, the global leader in innovative and environmentally sustainable dyes, chemicals and digital inks, has inaugurated a water purification facility to provide a dedicated supply of clean drinking water to about 5,000 residents of Umaraya village, located in the Padra district of Gujarat.

The reverse osmosis plant – well equipped with storage tanks, filtration systems and pump assembly and piping – can purify up to 5,000 cubic metres of water per hour. Water is sourced from a 55-metre deep borewell set nearby in the same vicinity. The plant site and borewell were provided by the Umaraya village administration, who will also maintain the plant post commissioning.

Mark Devaney, Vice President, Manufacturing & Operations Excellence, Huntsman Textile Effects said, “Huntsman is very proud to partner with the people of Umaraya to help bring safe and clean drinking water to the village for the first time. Umaraya has a very special place in the hearts of the Huntsman team and we remain committed towards the betterment of the communities who live and work around our global manufacturing unit here in Padra. I would like to thank the local administration and the Gujarat Pollution Control board for their continuous support and encouragement throughout this important project.” 

The Umaraya initiative is part of Huntsman’s ongoing efforts to improve the health infrastructure of the Padra district and help raise the quality of life of the communities in and around its local manufacturing plant.

Huntsman operates a global dyes and chemicals manufacturing unit in the Baroda industrial zone of Padra in Gujarat. The facility is spread across 62 acres and offers direct and indirect employment to over 800 people. The site is currently involved in a community outreach project with three surrounding villages, focusing on education, health, water and sanitation and animal husbandry.

“At Huntsman, we prioritize the health and wellbeing of the communities we operate in,” said Kavishwar Kalambe, Site Director, Baroda Plant, Huntsman Textile Effects.

"The provision of safe and clean drinking is always a top priority and we are pleased to have been able to execute this project on time with the support of our local administrative partners. We also have several welfare programmes in the pipeline and will continue to build on our past efforts to help address health and livelihood related needs and make a difference in people’s lives,” added Kalambe.