Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Systems Market Size - By System Type, By Technology, By Process, By End Use, By Distribution Channel, Growth Forecast, 2026 – 2035

Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market Size

The zero liquid discharge systems market was estimated at USD 6.8 billion in 2025. The market is expected to grow from 7 billion in 2026 to USD 13 billion in 2035, at a CAGR of 7.1% according to latest report published by Global Market Insights Inc.
 

The zero liquid discharge systems market is moving forward as industries place greater importance on responsible water use and long?term sustainability. Companies across sectors are turning to ZLD because it helps them handle wastewater in a way that reduces risk, supports environmental commitments, and aligns with tightening discharge rules set by regulators. This shift is especially visible in regions facing rising water?scarcity concerns, where industries want secure and dependable water?recovery solutions. As organizations look for reliable ways to reuse water, ZLD systems are becoming part of their broader efforts to reduce waste and improve operational stability.
 

Within the market, interest is growing around both conventional and hybrid ZLD systems, supported by improvements in membrane filtration, evaporation, and crystallization technologies. These innovations are making the systems easier to operate and more attractive for companies that want practical, long?term solutions. Industries such as power generation, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals are among the early adopters, viewing ZLD as a strategic investment that helps them meet environmental expectations while strengthening supply?chain resilience.
 

At the same time, the market is shaped by collaboration between global engineering firms and specialized regional providers. Larger companies are offering complete turnkey systems, while smaller players deliver tailored solutions that address specific wastewater challenges. This healthy mix of competition and innovation is encouraging steady progress in system design and performance. Overall, the ZLD systems market continues to advance as industries, governments, and technology providers converge around the shared goal of smarter, cleaner water management.
 

Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market Trends

The zero liquid discharge systems undergoing significant evolution, driven by environmental conditions, economic pressures, and technological advancements.
 

• Emphasis on Cost-effectiveness and Energy Efficiency: Various technological innovations are taking place for developing Zero-Liquid Discharge plants with less energy consumption and operational cost. The development and advancements in membrane technology and thermal evaporation along with heat recovery techniques are making Zero-Liquid Discharge operation economically viable by reducing the total cost of operation.
   
• Rise of Hybrid ZLD Solutions: There is an increasing trend of combining various technologies in the market, which includes the use of membrane technologies (such as RO and UF) and/or thermal technologies (such as evaporation or crystallization) in their systems. This type of technology has optimized capabilities and is efficient for treating complex wastewater.
   
• Entrance into Various Industrial Sectors: Apart from the conventional industrial sectors of power and chemicals, the implementation of ZLD is rapidly escalating in new sectors such as pharma, food and beverage, and electronics manufacturing. This is mainly because of the demand for pure water and sustainability models pursued at various industrial levels.
   
• Integration of Digitalization and Automation in ZLD Processes: Currently, ZLD processes are seeing integration with various aspects of digitalization and automation such as the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and advanced automation techniques to enable monitoring, predictive maintenance, and control processes to be carried out automatically. Intelligence provided by digitalization results in stable ZLD processes at a minimal cost.
   
• Focus on Recovery and Valorization: The modern approach is moving from simply treating wastewater by eliminating the liquid release to attempting recovery of some useable resources, such as salts, minerals, and even fresh water, from wastewater. Such new focus on recovery and valorization of wastewater resources now turns the zero liquid discharge process from a cost-generating process into a profitable one.
   
• Focus on Resource Recovery and Valorization: The trend is shifting beyond just eliminating liquid discharge to recovering valuable resources from wastewater, such as salts, minerals, and even pure water. This transforms ZLD from a cost center into a potential revenue stream, aligning with circular economic principles and adding further economic incentive for industrial adoption.
   

Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market Analysis

Based on system type, the market is divided into conventional and smart. In 2025, conventional segment held the major market share, generating a revenue of USD 4.1 billion.
 

• The conventional subsector currently dominates the zero liquid discharge market mainly because it relies on well-established thermal technology that has been used by industries for several decades. This type of technology, like multi-stage distillation of water or vapor compression and crystallization techniques can be traced back to the conventional ZLD technology that makes it all familiar and reliable in the sense that industries are fully aware of how they work. Therefore, conventional technology in water treatment can still lead by default since consistency trumps progress in most organizations.
   
• The smart market that encompasses the latest hybrid technologies, which combine both the membrane process and the thermal process, has been increasing at the highest growth rate because these technologies solve the important limitations that exist in the conventional ZLD process. Hybrid technologies exhibit lower energy usage than the conventional thermal process.
   
• Technical developments in both membrane filtration, evaporation technology, and crystallization processes have enabled a more reliable and viable system, thus encouraging industries to migrate from their current configurations to more efficient systems. The resulting cost-effectiveness and environmental viability of smart ZLD systems make this approach the best option for intelligent facilities.
   
• Backed by the increased pressure from regulations and the rising awareness for water scarcity, the smart segment is experiencing a high growth rate. With industries adopting circular water management, there is a preference for more adaptable and efficient water management solutions. The case for this is met by the Hybrid ZLD, which is more adaptable and efficient; therefore, it is favored over a traditional setup, causing its growth rate to be higher.
   

Based on process, the zero liquid discharge systems market is segmented into pre-treatment, filtration, and evaporation/crystallization. In 2025, filtration segment dominate the market with highest market share.
 

• The pretreatment process contributes most to the scale of the ZLD process as it is a critical first step that contributes towards the success of all subsequent processes. This is a critical treatment process that removes oils, hardness, suspended solids, and other substances that cause fouling or scaling that can result in membrane fouling and subsequent evaporator fouling. Through reports from different publications, this is a critical process that eases the burden of subsequent stages and is thus the most adopted process step out of the ZLD processes.
   
• The evaporation and crystallization method has the most rapidly growing process, which has been driven by the increasing need for the total recovery of water as well as the conversion of solid waste, a requirement for achieving a truly zero liquid discharge process. Oil & gas, chemical, and power industries, which face highly salty effluent, find the use of the latest evaporator and crystallizer technology appealing for the total elimination of liquid waste. Industry research has confirmed that the evaporation and crystallization process has a large market share in the value of the total ZLD process, which continues to grow as stricter regulations continue to drive industries toward the need for total cycle, highly effective recovery technologies.
   
• In addition to the above-mentioned factors, the rise in evaporation/crystallization demand is also linked to the growing need for circular water management in industries. With industries finding ways to reduce freshwater intake and reuse water within their facilities, the need for thermal processes with high recovery rates is becoming imperative, mainly in water-scarce areas. These factors, to some extent, are driving the evaporation/crystallization segment to be the most rapidly developing one in the ZLD chain, while pretreatment remains at the top as the primary need for all configurations.
   

Based on technology, the zero liquid discharge systems market is segmented into thermal based and membrane based. The thermal based segment held around 60% of the market share in 2025.
 

• Thermal-based systems lead the ZLD market, and this is largely since they are still the most proven and efficient method available for the treatment of high salinity and high contaminants found in industrial wastewater.
   
• Most industries, including power, petrochemical, and heavy industries, rely on the use of thermal systems, including the use of evaporators and crystallizers, since these systems can recover all the water despite the complexities encountered in the wastewater.
   
• Thermal systems also rank among the most rapidly growing ZLD technology applications due to restrictions on industry emissions and the subsequent uptick in the implementation of high-efficiency thermal systems that function effectively when not complemented by membranes.
   
• Innovations, mainly within the areas of vapor recompression and multi-effect evaporation and combinations of these and other systems, have increased efficiency and economies of operations. A tougher environmental regime and water scarcity make technologies that ensure compliance success an additional factor for the fast growth of thermal systems.
   
• Membrane processes like RO, NF, and electrodialysis using ZLD play a critical supporting role. They are usually not the major-contributing segment but are necessary in terms of pre-concentration, reducing the burden on thermal processes, decreasing overall energy intensity, and enhancing life cycle economic viability.
   
• Membrane processes are expected to advance with innovations in foul-resistant membranes and the shift in the industry toward hybrid processes involving both membranes and thermal processes. Although individual membrane processes are unlikely to displace thermal processes in TDS-rich wastewaters, they are critical in allowing ZLD to become more efficient, cost-competitive, and amenable to commercialization.
   

In 2025, the U.S. dominated the North America zero liquid discharge systems market, accounting for around 88% share and generating around USD 1.25 billion revenue in the same year.
 

• The North America region has emerged as a prominent and constantly expanding market for ZLD technology, influenced by stringent environmental norms and escalating attention to the current practices of wastewater disposal in industries. Government regulations, for example, in the US Clean Water Act, and restrictions on water discharge by states challenge industries, particularly power, chemical, and oil & gas sectors, to adopt reliable ZLD technology.
   
• It is expected that North America will experience considerable growth due to robust industrial infrastructure, high water sustainability awareness, and growing residential and commercial investment in the upgrade of water treatment plants. Together with residential demand for sound water usage practices, North America has remained at the forefront in the implementation of ZLD technology.
   

In Europe zero liquid discharge systems market, Germany leads the 26% share in 2025 and is expected to grow at 6.9% CAGR during the forecast period.
 

• The European region has displayed a consistent and mature approach to implementing ZLD technology due to the strong policies and initiatives focusing on sustainability and the EU guidelines regarding the wastewater generated by industrial activities. The industry segments in the European region, such as the chemicals, petrochemicals, textiles, and pharmaceutical segments, have begun shifting towards adopting ZLD due to a stricter regulatory policy and reduced freshwater availability.
   
• Although the Europe market is not the one growing at the fastest pace, its growth is aided by its early adoption of technology, proper governance on the environment, and the efforts of its industries to become carbon neutral and water efficient. As the recycling of wastewater becomes integral to the sustainability agenda of the European Union, the growth of the ZLD market is accelerating as a long-term approach by Europe to the environment.
   

The Asia Pacific holds significant share in the zero liquid discharge systems market. China holds a market share of around 31% in 2025 and is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of around 8.3% from 2026 to 2035.
 

• APAC represents the largest and most rapidly expanding market for ZLD technology, and this stems from the incredibly fast pace of industrialization, the severe scarcity of water resources, and the relatively stringent wastewater emission standards that apply worldwide. Nations like China and India are promoting a rather stringent zero-emission policy, especially in the textile, power, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries.
   
• APAC was the leading player in the ZLD market in the last few years, and the increasing manufacturing capacity, availability of economical labor, and government-sponsored schemes for industrial water treatment contributed to market growth in this region.
   

Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market Share

Murata Manufacturing is leading with 15% market share. Murata Manufacturing, Bartels Mikrotechnik, Takasago Electric, The Lee Company and Nippon Keiki Works collectively hold around 45%, indicating moderately fragmented market concentration. These prominent players are proactively involved in strategic endeavors, such as mergers & acquisitions, facility expansions & collaborations, to expand their product portfolios, extend their reach to a broad customer base, and strengthen their market position.
 

• Alfa Laval provides important separation technology, heat transfer technology, and fluid handling technology required for ZLD. Their high-performance evaporators and heat exchangers are important pieces of technology that result in efficient concentration as well as a reduction in wastewater. On a significant note, they occupy a key position in improving efficiency and lowering energy consumption in ZLD.
   
• Veolia is a global leader offering comprehensive, end-to-end ZLD solutions, from conceptual design to operational management. Their extensive portfolio of advanced membrane, thermal, and biological treatment technologies allows them to provide integrated and highly effective ZLD plants for diverse industrial applications worldwide.
   

Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market Companies

Major players operating in the zero liquid discharge systems industry are:

• Alfa Laval
• Aquarion
• Aquatech International
• Evoqua Water Technologies
• GEA Group
• H2O
• IDE Water Technologies
• Mitsubishi Power
• Petro Sep Corporation
• Praj Industries
• SafBon Water Technology
• Saltworks Technologies
• Thermax
• Toshiba
• Veolia Water Technologies
   

Evoqua offers an extensive portfolio of water and wastewater treatment offerings, with emphasis on modulated and holistic ZLD processes and technologies. Its effective clarifier, filtration, and ion exchange processes make it an essential player in ZLD pre-treatment and polishing processes, thereby establishing it as a reliable partner in ZLD processes in industries.
 

Thermax is an Indian multinational with extensive expertise in energy and environment solutions, which include complete ZLD solutions. They provide design and engineering and turnkey execution for ZLD plants with a focus on their strengths in thermal and evaporation technology. Their strong presence in Asia makes them a major player in providing ZLD solutions.
 

Zero Liquid Discharge Systems Market News

• In December 2024, Spectris acquired Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics from AVL List for €133.5M to expand its precision sensor portfolio. This helps the company penetrate high-temperature, high-precision sensor markets and broaden customer offerings across demanding industrial applications.
   
• In January 2024, Fraunhofer EMFT developed a 5×5×0.6mm³ silicon-based piezo micropump enabling flexible drug delivery patterns with high precision. This helps the institute pioneer personalized medicine solutions through programmable, customized pharmaceutical release profiles for patient-specific treatment regimens.
   
• In May 2024, CTS Corporation merged Ferroperm Piezoceramics with CTS Ceramics Denmark to form CTS Denmark A/S as its consolidated entity. This helps the company streamline operations, optimize manufacturing efficiency, and unify its piezoelectric solutions portfolio under integrated Danish operations.
   
• In July 2024, CTS Corporation launched nine lead-free piezoceramic materials including four new LF Series formulations for actuation and ultrasound applications. This helps the company address regulatory pressures, meet environmental compliance demands, and capture growing market demand for sustainable piezoelectric solutions.
   
• In April 2024, PI Ceramic introduced piezoceramic composite technology combining piezoelectric ceramics with filling polymers at Sensor+Test 2024. This helps the company offer application-specific design flexibility for ultrasonic components, flow metering, and medical diagnostics across diverse industrial sectors.
   

The zero liquid discharge systems market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD Billion) and volume (Thousand Units) from 2022 to 2035, for the following segments:

Market, By System Type

• Conventional
• Smart

Market, By Technology

• Thermal Based
• Membrane Based

Market, By Process

• Pre-treatment
• Filtration
• Evaporation/crystallization

Market, By End Use Industry

• Oil and Gas
• Pharmaceutical
• Energy and Power
• Chemicals and Petrochemicals
• Others

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Direct sales
• Indirect sales

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Turkey
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE