Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market Report 2025

The zero liquid discharge systems market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $6.53 billion in 2024 to $7.13 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to stringent environmental regulations, industrial water scarcity concerns, rising costs of water disposal, waste minimization and resource recovery, growing awareness of environmental impact, industry-specific compliance, government incentives and subsidies.

The zero liquid discharge systems market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $10.12 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing popularity in emerging economies, integration with smart water management, increasing focus on energy efficiency, demand from power generation industry, expanding chemical and petrochemical sectors, global efforts for sustainable development. Major trends in the forecast period include growing focus on water conservation, expanding applications in various industries, integration of advanced technologies, focus on resource recovery, increasing investments in industrial water treatment, public-private partnerships.

The increase in urbanization is anticipated to drive the growth of the zero liquid discharge systems market in the future. Urbanization refers to the significant migration of populations from rural areas to urban centers. This trend boosts the demand for zero liquid discharge systems due to the rising need for energy and water. For example, a report published by the World Bank, a US-based international organization, indicates that in 2022, over 50% of the global population lived in urban areas. The number of individuals residing in urban regions is expected to reach 6 billion by 2045, representing a 1.5-fold increase. By 2030, the world is forecasted to gain an additional 1.2 million km² of urban built-up area, as urban land consumption is projected to grow at a pace up to 50% faster than population growth. Thus, the rise in urbanization is propelling the expansion of the zero liquid discharge systems market.

The rise in wastewater management practices is poised to fuel the growth of the zero liquid discharge systems market moving forward. Wastewater management involves the collection, treatment, and disposal of sewage or wastewater generated from residential, industrial, and commercial sources. The adoption of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems translates into substantial cost savings, encompassing reduced discharge fees, water procurement expenses, and wastewater treatment outlays. Illustratively, data from the Government Digital Service in December 2022 indicated the collection of over 11 billion gallons of wastewater daily through approximately 347,000 km of sewers in the United Kingdom. This surge in wastewater management practices stands as a significant driving force behind the escalating demand for zero liquid discharge systems within the market.

Technological advancement emerges as a prevailing trend gaining traction in the zero liquid discharge systems market. Major industry players are channeling efforts toward innovating new products to fortify their market presence. Notably, Veolia Water Technologies, a France-based water service company, introduced the Barrel in April 2022 - a plug-and-play reverse osmosis (RO) technology heralded as a disruptive innovation in desalination and water reuse. The Barrel, characterized by multiple RO elements housed within a vessel, offers a plug-and-play solution, presenting a cost-effective alternative to conventional RO membranes and nanofiltration skids. With only two high-pressure connections, it ensures enhanced operator safety while boasting a built-in digitalization system providing real-time updates on each membrane's status. Furthermore, this innovation boasts the potential to reduce the carbon footprint by 25%, emphasizing its sustainability and environmental benefits.

Leading companies within the zero liquid discharge systems market are directing their efforts toward establishing zero liquid discharge plants to bolster their profitability in the industry. A Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plant stands as a water treatment facility designed to eliminate all liquid waste from a system, generating clean and recyclable water while economically curbing wastewater, thereby delivering both environmental benefits and cost savings. Notably, in May 2022, Evonik Industries AG, a Germany-based chemical company, inaugurated a new zero liquid discharge plant as a strategic move to reduce water demand and reliance on municipal water sources. This ZLD facility is projected to recirculate approximately 55% of the wastewater for process reuse, with the remaining portion allocated for cooling tower make-up. Operating with a capacity to process 600 m3 of wastewater daily, the plant was developed under the BOOT (Build, Own, Operate, Transfer) model, signaling Evonik's commitment to environmental stewardship and minimizing its manufacturing footprint. The collaboration with Remondis in establishing this facility underscores Evonik's pursuit of environmental excellence.

In February 2023, Gradiant, a water technology company based in the US, acquired Advanced Watertek for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition enables Gradiant to expedite the deployment of its comprehensive range of technologies to clients in the rapidly expanding Middle Eastern market, responding to the growing demand for sustainable water management solutions. Advanced Watertek is a UAE-based provider of zero liquid discharge systems.

Major companies operating in the zero liquid discharge systems market are Alfa Laval AB, Aquatech International LLC, ENCON Evaporators, GEA Group, Oasys Water Inc., Veolia Water Technologies, Suez SA, Condorchem Envitech, Evoqua Water Technologies LLC, Aquarion AG, IDE Technologies Ltd., Thermax Global, GE Water & Process Technologies, 3v Green Eagle SpA, Doosan Hydro Technology, Praj Industries Limited, Andritz AG, H2O GmbH, SafBon Water Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ion Exchange India Ltd., Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation, Petro Sep Corporation, Fluence Corporation Limited, Kurita Water Industries Ltd., Arvind Envisol Limited, Hydro Air Research Italia S.r.l., Samco Technologies Inc., Lenntech B.V., Saltworks Technologies Inc.

North America was the largest region in the zero liquid discharge systems market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the zero liquid discharge systems market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the zero liquid discharge systems market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems are sophisticated water treatment processes aimed at entirely eliminating liquid waste discharge from industrial facilities. These systems treat wastewater by recycling and recovering as much water as feasible, frequently reusing it within the facility, and transforming the residual waste into solid residue that can be either disposed of or further processed.

The main types of ZLD systems include conventional ZLD systems and hybrid ZLD systems. In a conventional ZLD system, the treatment process aims to eliminate all liquid waste from a system. This involves several steps, including pretreatment, filtration, and evaporation, utilizing various technologies such as thermal-based and membrane-based methods. Conventional ZLD systems find applications in diverse industries, including power generation, oil and gas, chemicals and petrochemicals, mining and metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors.

The zero liquid discharge systems market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides zero liquid discharge systems market statistics, including zero liquid discharge systems industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a zero liquid discharge systems market share, detailed zero liquid discharge systems market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the zero liquid discharge systems industry. These zero liquid discharge systems market research reports deliver a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The zero liquid discharge systems market consists of sales of ultrafiltration systems, reverse osmosis systems, crystallization units, and fractional electro-deionization systems. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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