Transition Industries' Pacifico Mexinol project, in collaboration with Veolia, is pioneering a massive industrial wastewater reuse initiative in Ahome, Mexico, setting a new global standard for sustainable resource management.
A groundbreaking commitment to water sustainability is taking shape in Sinaloa, Mexico, as Transition Industries' Pacifico Mexinol project teams up with global water technology leader Veolia to launch one of the world’s largest industrial wastewater reuse initiatives. The collaboration is poised to transform the region's wastewater into a strategic, high-value resource, signaling a major shift toward circularity in industrial development.
The project centers on establishing an advanced water treatment plant in Topolobampo, which Veolia will design and equip with state-of-the-art purification technology. This facility is tasked with giving a "second life" to an average of 32,300 cubic meters of Ahome's treated municipal wastewater daily—water acquired for a fee from the Ahome Municipality’s Drinking Water and Sewage Board (JAPAMA). This innovative approach ensures that the future plant, which is slated to be the world's largest standalone ultra-low carbon chemical production facility, does not draw from local freshwater sources, preserving them for agricultural, urban, and domestic use.
The complexity of treating municipal wastewater, which contains residual particles, organic matter, nutrients, dissolved salts, and microorganisms, demands advanced solutions. Veolia is deploying a sophisticated four-stage purification process to achieve the high-quality standards required for industrial use.
This technological train includes:
• ZeeWeed™ 500EV Membrane Bioreactor (MBR), which combines biological treatment with ultrafiltration for superior effluent quality.
• MUNI and PROflex™ – Two-stage Reverse Osmosis (RO) to remove dissolved salts and smaller contaminants.
• UV Oxidation for disinfection.
• E-Cell™ – Electrodeionization (EDI) for final polishing to meet ultra-pure water specifications.
The successful conclusion of the annual water quality monitoring and baseline data collection study, which analyzed over 60 parameters including heavy metals and dissolved solids, provides the fundamental data necessary for Veolia’s final design.
Beyond the technological innovation, the project embodies a deep commitment to environmental and social responsibility. By utilizing municipal wastewater, Pacifico Mexinol is demonstrating a purpose-driven water strategy that is designed to completely avoid any negative impact on the Bay of Ohuira, a critical local ecosystem.
This collective effort positions Topolobampo and Sinaloa at the forefront of industrial water supply innovation, proving that economic progress—in this case, producing 6,130 metric tons of methanol per day—can be achieved with respect for the environment, social inclusion, and a long-term vision for water security. The project not only secures a sustainable water supply for the industrial plant but also provides an additional revenue stream for JAPAMA, bolstering the local water infrastructure.
