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Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Forecasts to 2032 – Global Analysis By Process Phase (Pretreatment, Brine Concentration, Evaporation, Crystallization, Sludge Handling & Disposal and Other Process Phases), System Type, Technology, Application, End User

Published Oct 30, 2025
Length 200 Pages
SKU # SMR20511122

Description

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market is accounted for $8.5 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $16.7 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 10% during the forecast period. Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) is an advanced wastewater treatment process designed to eliminate all liquid waste from industrial effluents, ensuring that no untreated water is discharged into the environment. The process involves multiple stages, including filtration, evaporation, and crystallization, to recover usable water and convert dissolved solids into solid waste. ZLD systems help industries comply with strict environmental regulations, reduce water consumption through recycling, and minimize pollution. By recovering valuable salts and chemicals, ZLD also offers economic benefits. It is widely applied in sectors like power generation, textiles, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, promoting sustainable and responsible water management.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Water scarcity and resource conservation

Industrial facilities face increasing pressure to reduce freshwater intake and eliminate liquid waste discharge due to environmental regulations and community concerns. ZLD systems recover usable water and isolate solid waste through thermal and membrane-based processes. Integration with water reuse and recycling frameworks supports long-term sustainability and operational resilience. Governments and environmental agencies are mandating zero-discharge compliance across high-impact industries. These dynamics are driving investment in advanced water recovery and waste minimization infrastructure.

Restraint:

High capital and operational costs

Installation requires significant investment in evaporators crystallizers and brine concentrators along with supporting utilities and automation. Energy consumption and maintenance costs remain high due to thermal processing and complex system configurations. Smaller facilities struggle to justify ROI without regulatory mandates or financial incentives. Skilled personnel and technical support are required for system optimization and compliance monitoring. These constraints continue to hinder scalability and accessibility across diverse industrial segments.

Opportunity:

Industrial growth in emerging economies

Rapid urbanization and manufacturing expansion increase wastewater generation and environmental impact across industrial zones. Governments are introducing stricter discharge norms and pollution control frameworks to protect water bodies and ecosystems. Local firms and multinationals are investing in modular and scalable ZLD solutions tailored to regional infrastructure and compliance needs. Demand for water reuse and resource recovery is rising across industrial parks and export-oriented manufacturing clusters. These trends are expanding market access and deployment opportunities across emerging economies.

Threat:

Space and skilled labour requirements

Equipment footprint is significant due to multiple processing stages including pretreatment evaporation and crystallization. Facilities with limited land availability face challenges in integrating full-scale ZLD systems without redesigning existing layouts. Skilled technicians and engineers are required to manage operations troubleshoot issues and ensure regulatory compliance. Labour shortages and training gaps reduce system uptime and efficiency across decentralized deployments. These challenges continue to constrain adoption across small-scale and geographically dispersed industries.

Covid-19 Impact:

The pandemic disrupted ZLD system deployment and maintenance due to lockdowns supply chain delays and workforce limitations. Industrial wastewater volumes declined temporarily across sectors such as textiles and automotive due to production shutdowns. However post-pandemic recovery strategies emphasized sustainability water security and regulatory compliance across industrial operations. Demand for water reuse and discharge minimization increased as companies reassessed environmental risks and operational resilience. Governments accelerated investment in pollution control and water infrastructure to support economic recovery and climate goals. These shifts are reinforcing long-term integration of ZLD systems into industrial water management strategies.

The multi-effect evaporators (MEE) segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The multi-effect evaporators (MEE) segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period due to their efficiency in concentrating brine and reducing energy consumption across ZLD systems. MEE units operate through sequential evaporation stages that utilize steam energy effectively across industrial wastewater streams. Integration with crystallizers and condensate recovery systems enhances water reuse and solid waste isolation. Demand for MEE systems is rising across chemicals textiles and power generation sectors due to high throughput and operational reliability.

The sludge handling & disposal segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Over the forecast period, the sludge handling & disposal segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate as ZLD systems scale across industries with high solid waste generation and regulatory scrutiny. Sludge management includes dewatering drying and safe disposal of concentrated residues from evaporation and crystallization processes. Investment in automated handling systems and waste valorisation technologies is increasing across pharmaceuticals food processing and mining sectors. Demand for compliant and cost-effective sludge solutions is rising due to landfill restrictions and environmental liability concerns. These dynamics are accelerating growth across waste management components of ZLD infrastructure.

Region with largest share:

During the forecast period, the North America region is expected to hold the largest market share due to its advanced industrial base regulatory enforcement and water reuse initiatives across energy chemicals and manufacturing sectors. U.S. and Canadian firms deploy ZLD systems to meet EPA discharge limits and sustainability targets across high-impact facilities. Investment in modular systems and automation supports scalability and operational efficiency across diverse industrial environments. Presence of leading technology providers and engineering firms drives innovation and market penetration. These factors are reinforcing North America’s leadership in ZLD system deployment and compliance infrastructure.

Region with highest CAGR:

Over the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR as industrial expansion water stress and environmental mandates converge across regional economies. Countries like India China Indonesia and Vietnam scale ZLD systems across textiles pharmaceuticals and food processing clusters. Government-backed programs support pollution control infrastructure startup incubation and technology transfer across industrial zones. Local firms launch cost-effective and regionally adapted solutions to meet compliance and operational needs. Demand for water reuse and discharge elimination is rising across export-oriented and resource-intensive sectors.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market include Aquatech International LLC, Veolia Environnement S.A., GE Water & Process Technologies, SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions, IDE Technologies Ltd., GEA Group AG, Thermax Limited, Saltworks Technologies Inc., Petro Sep Corporation, Praj Industries Ltd., H2O Innovation Inc., Doosan Hydro Technology, Lenntech B.V., Samco Technologies Inc. and U.S. Water Services, Inc.

Key Developments:

In July 2025, Aquatech launched its LoWatt™ 2.0 ZLD platform, designed to reduce energy consumption in brine concentration and crystallization. The system integrates AI-driven process control and modular scalability, enabling deployment across sectors like power, textiles, and chemicals. LoWatt™ 2.0 supports cost-effective compliance with global zero-discharge regulations.

In May 2025, Veolia partnered with Tata Steel to deploy ZLD systems at its Jamshedpur plant in India. The collaboration integrates Veolia’s thermal and membrane technologies to treat high-salinity effluents from steel production. This supports Tata’s water reuse goals and aligns with India’s industrial discharge regulations under the CPCB framework.

Process Phases Covered:
• Pretreatment
• Brine Concentration
• Evaporation
• Crystallization
• Sludge Handling & Disposal
• Other Process Phases

System Types Covered:
• Conventional ZLD Systems
• Hybrid ZLD Systems

Technologies Covered:
• Thermal-Based Systems
• Multi-Effect Evaporators (MEE)
• Brine Concentrators
• Crystallizers
• Membrane-Based Systems
• Reverse Osmosis (RO)
• Nanofiltration (NF)
• Electrodialysis
• Hybrid ZLD Systems
• Automation & Control Technologies
• Other Technologies

Applications Covered:
• Energy & Power
• Chemicals & Petrochemicals
• Electronics & Semiconductors
• Pharmaceuticals
• Automotive
• Other Applications

End Users Covered:
• Industrial Facilities
• Municipal Utilities
• Commercial Buildings
• Wastewater Treatment Contractors
• Other End Users

Regions Covered:
• North America
US
Canada
Mexico
• Europe
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Spain
Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
Japan
China
India
Australia
New Zealand
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2032
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements



• Company Profiling
Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances

Table of Contents

200 Pages
1 Executive Summary
2 Preface
2.1 Abstract
2.2 Stake Holders
2.3 Research Scope
2.4 Research Methodology
2.4.1 Data Mining
2.4.2 Data Analysis
2.4.3 Data Validation
2.4.4 Research Approach
2.5 Research Sources
2.5.1 Primary Research Sources
2.5.2 Secondary Research Sources
2.5.3 Assumptions
3 Market Trend Analysis
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Drivers
3.3 Restraints
3.4 Opportunities
3.5 Threats
3.6 Technology Analysis
3.7 Application Analysis
3.8 End User Analysis
3.9 Emerging Markets
3.10 Impact of Covid-19
4 Porters Five Force Analysis
4.1 Bargaining power of suppliers
4.2 Bargaining power of buyers
4.3 Threat of substitutes
4.4 Threat of new entrants
4.5 Competitive rivalry
5 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market, By Process Phase
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Pretreatment
5.3 Brine Concentration
5.4 Evaporation
5.5 Crystallization
5.6 Sludge Handling & Disposal
5.7 Other Process Phases
6 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market, By System Type
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Conventional ZLD Systems
6.3 Hybrid ZLD Systems
7 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market, By Technology
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Thermal-Based Systems
7.3 Multi-Effect Evaporators (MEE)
7.4 Brine Concentrators
7.5 Crystallizers
7.6 Membrane-Based Systems
7.7 Reverse Osmosis (RO)
7.8 Nanofiltration (NF)
7.9 Electrodialysis
7.10 Hybrid ZLD Systems
7.11 Automation & Control Technologies
7.12 Other Technologies
8 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market, By Application
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Energy & Power
8.3 Chemicals & Petrochemicals
8.4 Electronics & Semiconductors
8.5 Pharmaceuticals
8.6 Automotive
8.7 Other Applications
9 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market, By End User
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Industrial Facilities
9.3 Municipal Utilities
9.4 Commercial Buildings
9.5 Wastewater Treatment Contractors
9.6 Other End Users
10 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market, By Geography
10.1 Introduction
10.2 North America
10.2.1 US
10.2.2 Canada
10.2.3 Mexico
10.3 Europe
10.3.1 Germany
10.3.2 UK
10.3.3 Italy
10.3.4 France
10.3.5 Spain
10.3.6 Rest of Europe
10.4 Asia Pacific
10.4.1 Japan
10.4.2 China
10.4.3 India
10.4.4 Australia
10.4.5 New Zealand
10.4.6 South Korea
10.4.7 Rest of Asia Pacific
10.5 South America
10.5.1 Argentina
10.5.2 Brazil
10.5.3 Chile
10.5.4 Rest of South America
10.6 Middle East & Africa
10.6.1 Saudi Arabia
10.6.2 UAE
10.6.3 Qatar
10.6.4 South Africa
10.6.5 Rest of Middle East & Africa
11 Key Developments
11.1 Agreements, Partnerships, Collaborations and Joint Ventures
11.2 Acquisitions & Mergers
11.3 New Product Launch
11.4 Expansions
11.5 Other Key Strategies
12 Company Profiling
12.1 Aquatech International LLC
12.2 Veolia Environnement S.A.
12.3 GE Water & Process Technologies
12.4 SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions
12.5 IDE Technologies Ltd.
12.6 GEA Group AG
12.7 Thermax Limited
12.8 Saltworks Technologies Inc.
12.9 Petro Sep Corporation
12.10 Praj Industries Ltd.
12.11 H2O Innovation Inc.
12.12 Doosan Hydro Technology
12.13 Lenntech B.V.
12.14 Samco Technologies Inc.
12.15 U.S. Water Services, Inc.
List of Tables
Table 1 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Region (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 2 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Process Phase (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 3 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Pretreatment (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 4 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Brine Concentration (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 5 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Evaporation (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 6 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Crystallization (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 7 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Sludge Handling & Disposal (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 8 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Other Process Phases (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 9 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By System Type (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 10 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Conventional ZLD Systems (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 11 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Hybrid ZLD Systems (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 12 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Technology (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 13 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Thermal-Based Systems (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 14 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Multi-Effect Evaporators (MEE) (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 15 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Brine Concentrators (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 16 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Crystallizers (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 17 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Membrane-Based Systems (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 18 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Reverse Osmosis (RO) (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 19 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Nanofiltration (NF) (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 20 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Electrodialysis (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 21 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Hybrid ZLD Systems (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 22 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Automation & Control Technologies (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 23 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Other Technologies (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 24 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Application (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 25 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Energy & Power (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 26 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Chemicals & Petrochemicals (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 27 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Electronics & Semiconductors (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 28 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Pharmaceuticals (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 29 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Automotive (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 30 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Other Applications (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 31 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By End User (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 32 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Industrial Facilities (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 33 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Municipal Utilities (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 34 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Commercial Buildings (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 35 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Wastewater Treatment Contractors (2024-2032) ($MN)
Table 36 Global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Market Outlook, By Other End Users (2024-2032) ($MN)
Note: Tables for North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East & Africa Regions are also represented in the same manner as above.
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