Viridis Research Inc. is a cleantech hardware company based in Vancouver, Canada, pioneering a new generation of electrochemical oxidation solutions that eliminate persistent organic pollutants from wastewater sources. Its proprietary systems unlock water reuse, offering industrial producers a cost-effective, chemical-free path to resource recovery, regulatory compliance and sustainable
business practices.
In a conversation with Dr. Macarena Cataldo CEO and CTO of Viridis Research. Read the full conversation–
Q.How do you see the sustainable growth of Bangladesh Textile Industry?
A. Sustainable growth in Bangladesh’s textile industry will depend on improving environmental performance while maintaining global cost competitiveness. This means investing in advanced wastewater treatment, water reuse, energy efficiency, and cleaner production technologies while strengthening compliance with regional and international sustainability standards. By pairing environmental stewardship with innovation and productivity gains, Bangladesh can remain a leading global supplier to brands that are increasingly prioritizing responsible manufacturing. And our mill partners in this project were the perfect representation of leadership in this space.
Q. Water is the key part of Textile Production; How does your technology help the industry reuse water?
A. By integrating our technology directly into textile dyeing operations, we create a closed-loop cycle that unlocks continuous reuse of water from dyeing processes, while also recovering chemicals and leading to cost savings for the mill.
Our electro-oxidation system fully mineralizes organic contaminants such as dyes, surfactants, and processing chemicals, transforming wastewater into a reusable resource without generating secondary waste streams.
Our technology can also be implemented at different stages of the textile production process. However, we identified dyeing as the most strategic point for initial implementation because it delivers the highest impact in terms of water reuse, chemical recovery, and operational efficiency.
While the setup may differ depending on each mill’s operations and requirements, the objectives remain the same: reduce water consumption, reduce water pollution, and lower associated operational costs.
Q.How do you see the Bangladesh market for Viridis?
A. Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest textile and garment manufacturing hubs, supplying many of the biggest global fashion brands and operating thousands of dyeing and finishing mills that generate significant volumes of wastewater. The sector faces acute water stress and increasing regulatory and brand pressure to improve wastewater treatment and enable water reuse. As a result, many mills and industry groups are actively seeking and piloting innovative technologies that can help reduce water consumption and meet rising sustainability expectations. All of this makes Bangladesh an ideal point of entry for Viridis’ technology.
Q. How many pilot projects are going in Bangladesh under H&M?
A. Through our recent pilot program with H&M Group, we successfully implemented an industrial-scale pilot in the Dhaka region, treating wastewater from three textile mills and multiple process streams. Building on these results, we are actively exploring further collaborations in the region.
Q. What is your future plan for the Bangladesh market?
A. Beyond advancing our project with H&M and its mill partners, we see Bangladesh as a unique point of entry for Viridis’ technology. We are blown away by the warmth and hospitality of the people of Bangladesh, by the strong appetite of its industry leaders to explore new innovations, and by the growing attention to water stewardship. We fully intend to make Bangladesh a key market of focus for the deployment of our technology, and may also in the future look to build manufacturing capabilities in the region as we look to scale our regional operation.
Dr. Macarena Cataldo, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcataldoh/
A leader in water treatment innovation with a multidisciplinary approach to tackling water quality issues. With a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and over 15 years of experience in her field, Macarena leads the charge in developing green technologies that safeguard water.
Under her leadership, Viridis was selected as a Top 10 Finalist in the 2023 New Ventures BC Competition, awarded the InnovateBC Sustainability Prize and was a top 5 winner at the 2025 HardTech Awards. In addition, Macarena’s business acuity and trailblazing spirit have led to winning the Spring Impact Challenge, the TiE-Woman BC award, and a noteworthy second place in the SheBoot competition.
Macarena is not only a brilliant entrepreneur but also a figure of inspiration who embodies the strength and spirit of women-led companies. Her entrepreneurial journey reflects her resolve to confront the daily obstacles faced by hardware entrepreneurs, women-led companies, and racialized groups. Macarena is a vibrant advocate for elevating under-represented voices, ensuring that Viridis reflects diverse perspectives through its workforce.
