Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

The Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market is Segmented By System (Conventional, Hybrid), By Technology (Thermal Based, Membrane Based), By Process (Pretreatment, Filtration/Membrane Filtration, Evaporation & Crystallization, Solid/Salt Recovery), By End-User (Energy & Power, Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Food & Beverage, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Others), By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2023-2030

Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market Overview

The Global Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market is expected to reach at a high CAGR during the forecast period 2023-2030. The term "zero liquid discharge" (ZLD) refers to a treatment procedure in which the plant discharges no liquid effluent into surface waterways, effectively removing all treatment-related contamination. All water is collected and impurities are converted to solid waste in a zero liquid discharge (ZLD) approach to water treatment. While many water treatment methods aim to maximize freshwater recovery while minimizing waste, ZLD is the most difficult to achieve.

The expense and difficulty of recovery rise as the wastewater becomes more concentrated. Salinity, scaling chemicals, and organics all have higher concentrations, which adds to the costs of handling them. ZLD is done by connecting water treatment technologies to treat wastewater as contaminants become more concentrated. Aside from this advantage, a ZLD process efficiently uses wastewater treatment, recycling, and reuse, contributing to water conservation by reducing the amount of freshwater consumed.

Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market Scope and Summary

Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market Dynamics and Trends

Stringent regulations associated with the preservation of the environment act as a major market driver. Nonetheless, widespread corrosion of zero liquid discharge systems could be considered a major market restraint.

Stringent regulations associated with the preservation of the environment

In a world where fresh water is a more valuable resource, industrial activity risks its availability on two fronts unless the water is cleaned. Many industrial processes demand water, reducing the amount of water available for the environment or other uses, or polluting and releasing water that affects the ecosystem. ZLD systems are mostly used in the industrial sector, as these are the sources of the majority of hazardous emissions to water bodies and aquatic ecosystems. Mercury, arsenic, lead, selenium, salt, toxic elements, nitrate, and other pollutants contribute to ecosystem imbalance.

Although wastewater discharge restriction's history can be traced back to the Clean Water Act of 1972 enacted by the government of the U.S., India, and China, have been at the forefront of the zero liquid discharge movement in the last decade. Both countries have enacted laws requiring zero liquid discharge because of the widespread poisoning of multiple significant rivers by industrial effluent.

Since modernity discovered that protecting rivers and lakes from pollution is the most effective way to safeguard future water supply and high costs of wastewater disposal at inland plants have propelled the goal toward zero liquid discharge in Europe and North America. Regulations that limit disposal alternatives and factors impacting the expense of disposal technologies drive these costs.

As the serious repercussions of water pollution become more widely recognized and public attention grows, stricter environmental rules on wastewater discharge are likely, pushing more high-polluting sectors toward ZLD. Therefore the imposed requirements on industry and power plants regulating emissions in water bodies are a primary element driving market growth for zero liquid discharge systems.

Easy corrosion of zero liquid discharge systems

Corrosion at particular stages of the ZLD process, such as crystallization and dewatering, is a major cause and has critical effects on the ZLD systems. For instance, when the remaining liquor or brine contains higher salt concentrations, it might cause a failure in the pipes or other mechanical portions of the system. Similarly, spray driers can sometimes aid by offsetting the solubility of certain salts. Scale building can also lead to corrosion and a loss of heat transfer; therefore, many of the contaminants that can lead to corrosion in the ZLD process's thermal parts must be treated on a case-by-case basis. Chemical balance, concentrations, heat level, and pressure are all factors that go into this complicated computation.

Since ZLD is a complex process involving exorbitant and large equipment, the ease at which this equipment corrodes seriously impacts the market as it puts millions of dollars at stake. Though corrosion-resistant building materials like nickel- and titanium-based alloys could widely be employed to prevent corrosion, the respective metals are more expensive than standard materials employed in manufacturing ZLD systems. The utilization of these expensive metals could increase the manufacturing costs involved with ZDL equipment and thereby affect the product's final price. As a result, the ZLD systems' corrosion could be recognized as a major market restraint.

COVID-19 Impact on Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market

COVID-19 resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of ZDL systems being purchased. Furthermore, the pandemic posed other obstacles, including halting manufacturing and generating delays in shipments due to supply chain bottlenecks.

COVID-19 has considerably impacted manufacturing industries such as oil and gas, mining, and capital goods. Heavy industry, the end-user, was hurt the hardest because of its extensive supply chains, labor-intensive operations, and interdependencies due to the division of labor, modular production processes, and outsourcing to reduce costs and increase efficiency, consistency, and quality of each operation.

Nonetheless, the global zero liquid discharge systems market has high market prospects in the future because of the growing environmental awareness among consumers that promotes stringent environmental regulations, as well as companies widely adopting a sustainable approach.

Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market Segmentation Analysis

The global zero liquid discharge systems market is classified based on system, technology, process, end-user, and region

The energy & power sector dominates the end-user segment

The zero liquid discharge systems market's end-user segment consists of energy & power, chemicals & petrochemicals, food & beverage, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and others. Globally, the rising population combined with growing urbanization has resulted in increased energy demand. As a result, more industries and power plants have been built. The most common application of ZLD is in thermal power plants. Thermal power plants continue to provide a significant share of energy, which is likely driving ZLD installations in the industry. Power & energy is one of the most water-intensive industries on the planet. As a result of changing restrictions surrounding wastewater discharge and freshwater scarcity, demand for ZLD and high-water recovery solutions is increasing.

Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market Geographical Share

North America is expected to dominate the zero liquid discharge systems market’s regional segment

During the projected period, North America will have the greatest zero liquid discharge market share and will dominate the zero liquid discharge systems market because of the progressive increase in population and industry, as well as an increase in water and sewage treatment facilities.

The U.S. is a country with strict rules on wastewater emissions, which supports the market's regional expansion. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently completed its recommendations, amending its existing wastewater standards. The new standards establish federal limitations on hazardous metals and other wastes, making ZLD the preferable remedy for contaminants in fly ash transport water, ash transport water, and flue gas mercury wastewater. In addition, the government will provide regulatory incentives for ZLD installations in power plants in the U.S.

Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Companies and Competitive Landscape

The global zero liquid discharge systems market is active and dynamic in terms of the number and strength of global and local producers. Due to many manufacturers such as Aquatech International LLC, SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions, Veolia Water Technologies, GEA Group, H2O GmbH, US Water Services, Aquarion AG, Doosan Hydro Technology LLC, Petro Sep Corporation, and IDE Technologies, the market is classified as fragmented. To achieve competitive advantages and recognition in their particular markets, significant market stakeholders use market techniques such as mergers, acquisitions, product launches, contributions, and collaborations.

For instance, on April 09, 2018, Fluence Corporation Limited announced that its customer Rosenblad Design Group had awarded them a contract to deliver a water treatment reuse system. Fluence's zero liquid discharge (ZLD) solution will treat brine for reuse with ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis equipment. The system will be integrated and used as part of a larger turnkey water treatment project installed by Rosenblad in California, one of Fluence's main water and wastewater treatment markets.

Aquatech International, LLC

Overview: Aquatech International, LLC focuses on the commercial and service industry machinery manufacturing industry and is based in Pennsylvania, U.S. The Aquatech International, LLC corporate family consists of 30 entities, employs 500 people, and generated US$86.53 million in revenue across all of its locations globally.

Product Portfolio:

• R3MOD: R3MOD is mainly composed of an effective softening/heavy metals removal pretreatment (CeraSoft), ultrahigh recovery Reverse Osmosis (ARROTM), and a proprietary high-flux membrane distillation process (AVMDTM). The respective product line consists of highly differentiated unit operations and is designed to integrate and significantly reduce the cost of ownership for small/mid-sized ZLD and MLD plants by up to 40%.

Key Development:

• On April 04, 2019, Aquatech International LLC completed the manufacture of a “first of its kind” membrane-thermal ZLD project for Continental Gold, a mining corporation, for its gold mine located in the village of Buritica, northwestern Colombia.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global zero liquid discharge systems market segmentation based on system, technology, process, end-user, and region, as well as understand critical commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities in the global zero-liquid discharge systems market by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of zero liquid discharge systems market-level with four segments.
• PDF report consisting of cogently put together market analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and in-depth market study.
• Product mapping available in excel consists of key products of all the major market players

The global zero liquid discharge systems market report would provide approximately 69  tables, 67  figures, and almost 204 pages.

Target Audience 2022

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies