The Zero Liquid Discharge Market, estimated at USD 1,073.6 Mn in 2025, is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 7.5% and reach USD 1,781.2 Mn by 2032.
The industry is witnessing significant growth driven by increasing demand for intelligent, efficient, and cost-effective automation and machinery solutions across manufacturing and industrial sectors. Rapid advancements in robotics, AI-driven systems, and IoT-enabled equipment, along with evolving market requirements, are transforming the competitive landscape. Furthermore, sustainability initiatives, supportive regulatory policies, and continuous investments in research and development are expected to unlock new growth opportunities for market participants.
Global Zero Liquid Discharge Market, By Application (Power Generation, Oil & Gas, Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Mining & Metallurgy, Pharmaceuticals, Others), By System Type (Conventional and Hybrid), and By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa) as highlighted in a report published by Coherent Market Insights.
Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) is a strategic wastewater management system that ensures that there will be no discharge of industrial wastewater into the environment. It is achieved by treating wastewater through recycling, and then recovery and reuse for industrial purpose.
New technologies including forward osmosis (FO) membranes and electro-separation systems in the field of ZLD (Zero Liquid Discharge) have been introduced for the treatment of high salinity brines. The forward osmosis membrane technology's low operating pressure and fast cross-flow velocity provide it ability to accomplish dissolved solids separation on high fouling streams.
Rising demand for fresh water across the globe due to increasing population, and many industries such as thermoelectric power, irrigation, and aquaculture, is further expected to boost demand for zero liquid discharge system over the forecast period.
Furthermore, the requirement of high initial investment for implementation of zero liquid discharge system is expected to restrain the adoption of zero liquid discharge system over the forecast period.
Global Zero Liquid Discharge Market– Drivers
Increasing Technological Advancements
Increasing advancements in ZLD technologies have made it more efficient, cost-effective, and feasible for implementation across various industries. Innovations in membrane filtration, evaporation, crystallization, and other treatment processes have improved the overall performance and reliability of ZLD systems, and this is expecetd to increase adoption of these sytems.
Water Treatment and Reuse
ZLD systems enable effective treatment and reuse of wastewater, and reduces the dependence on freshwater sources. The ability to recover valuable resources from wastewater such as salts, minerals, and metals is expected to increase adoption of ZLD systems in industries that can benefit from resource recovery.
For Instance, in January 2025, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC), a major power plant in India, (Indian central Public Sector Undertaking under the ownership of the Ministry of Power, Government of India which is engaged in generation of electricity and allied activities) announced its plans to implement a ZLD system for its coal-fired power plant in Solapur, Maharashtra, India. The ZLD system aims to treat and recycle wastewater generated by the power plant, minimizing water consumption, and achieving environmental sustainability.
In March 2025, Aquatech International, a leading water and wastewater treatment company, installed a ZLD system for a coal-to-chemicals plant in Inner Mongolia, China. The system is designed to treat and recycle wastewater, and enables the plant to achieve zero liquid discharge and comply with stringent environmental regulations.
Global Zero Liquid Discharge Market – Opportunities
Adoption of Zero Liquid Discharge in municipal and residential sectors
ZLD sysystems are used in industrial settings, and this is expecetd to increase its adoption in municipal and residential sectors. Municipalities and residential communities are increasingly recognizing the importance of sustainable water management and wastewater treatment. Implementing ZLD systems in municipal wastewater treatment plants and residential complexes can help to achieve water reuse and minimize environmental impacts.
Recovery of valuable minerals and compounds from waste streams
Zero liquid discharge technique can be used for recovering profit-making compounds and minerals from the by-products of waste streams. ZLD has been found advantageous in recovering sodium chloride and sodium sulfate salts. Moreover, ZLD is used for recovering valuable and saleable minerals in the mining industry thatdirectly benefits business profits. Thisis expected to offere excellent business opportunities for market players in the near future.
Global Zero Liquid Discharge Market– Restraints
High capital investment and operational costs
Zero liquid discharge systems are based on thermal processes including energy-intensive evaporation processes, in order to recover reusable water from wastewater system. Such systems are custom built according to particular organization’s needs thatinvolves significant amount of investment and operating expenditure. Moreover, spatial constraints hinder the adoption of ZLD systems, especially in smaller industries in emerging economies. ZLD treated water cost three to seven times that of water extracted from the ground or obtained from municipal source, and this is expected to hinder the market growth in the near future.
Availability of effective substitutes
Alternative options such as minimal liquid discharge (MLD) recover around 95% of the liquid discharge from its effluent treatment plants at lower cost, as compared to zero liquid discharge systems. Therefore, municipal corporations and similar organizations are increasingly adopting MLD technology as it is more economical than ZLD, and that helps them to meet regulatory policies. Therefore, these factors are expected hamper the market growth over the forecast period.
Global Zero Liquid Discharge Market-Trends
Increasing Adoption of Advanced Treatment Technologies
Increasing adoption of advanced treatment technologies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the ZLD process is expecetd to drive the market growth. Technologies such as membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, and evaporation/crystallization are being integrated into ZLD systems to improve water recovery rates, reduce energy consumption, and to achieve higher levels of water purity.
Modular and Scalable ZLD Systems
Modular and scalable ZLD systems are gaining popularity as these offer flexibility in capacity expansion, and can be tailored to specific industrial requirements. These systems can be easily installed, upgraded, or relocated, making these suitable for industries with varying wastewater volumes or those operating in remote locations.
Global Zero Liquid Discharge Market- Impact of Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic affected the public health as well as the global economy. Converging evidence from the pandemic, previous outbreaks and controlled experiments indicate that the virus is present in wastewater for several days, which can lead to potential health risks through aerosolized and waterborne wastewater pathways. Currently, the leading manufacturers of zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems are implementing strategic initiatives and technologically advanced production processes to increase production efficacy and optimize their product offerings.
Global Zero Liquid Discharge Market: Competitive Landscape
Key players operating in the global zero liquid discharge market are Aquatech International LLC, Alfa Laval Corporate AB, GEA Group, U.S. Water Services Inc., Veolia Water Technologies, Oasys Water, Inc., GE Water & Process Technologies, Thermax Global, Suez Environnement, 3v Green Eagle S.p.A., ENCON Evaporators, Aquarion AG, Doosan Hydro Technology, and IDE Technologies.
To know the latest trends and insights prevalent in this market, click the link below:
https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/zero-liquid-discharge-market-3263
Key Takeaways
Global Zero Liquid Discharge Market is estimated at US$ 1,073.6 Mn in 2025, and is estimated to reach US$ 1,781.2 Mn by 2032 exhibiting a CAGR of 7.5% between 2025 and 2032.
Global Zero Liquid Discharge Market- Recent Developments
In March 2025, Aquatech International LLC, a leading global water and process technologies provider company, and Fluid Technology Solutions, Inc. (“FTS”), a technology-forward manufacturer of advanced membranes and separation technologies, entered into a strategic partnership for delivering the next generation of advanced separation, brine concentration, and water reuse solutions. This partnership aims to refine and elevate higher brine concentration technology, focusing on high recovery, low energy consumption and achieving the lowest CO2 footprint at the highest water and mineral recoveries.
In September 2025, Evoqua Water Technologies, an industry leader in mission-critical water treatment solutions, announced that it had acquired Epicor, Inc., a leading manufacturer of high-quality powdered ion exchange resins and resin/fiber mixtures for the power industry
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