Mercury Removal Market

Mercury Removal Market Size and Forecast

The global Mercury Removal Market is valued at USD 1.785 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 2.732 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 3.95% between 2025 and 2035.

Mercury Removal Market Key Highlights

• Based on the Type, the Activated Carbon category accounted for significant market share in Mercury Removal market industry for 47.60% in 2024
• In 2024, by Process, Adsorption Based Removal dominated the Mercury Removal market with largest market share
• Based on the End Use Industry, the Oil and Gas category accounted for significant market share in Mercury Removal market industry for 45.10% in 2024
• North America dominated the Mercury Removal market industry with 37.80% Mercury Removal market share in 2024
• Asia Pacific region is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period in Mercury Removal market industry

Mercury Removal Market Drivers

Growing Demand In Oil And Gas Industry

The increasing demand for natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and refined petroleum products is significantly driving the Mercury Removal market. In LNG production facilities, mercury must be removed before gas liquefaction, as even trace amounts can cause embrittlement and failure of cryogenic heat exchangers, leading to costly damages and operational downtime. In natural gas processing plants widespread use of mercury removal units (MRUs) across major LNG-exporting nations such as Qatar, the U.S., Australia, and Russia. Additionally, with rising regulatory pressure from environmental agencies such as the U.S. EPA, the European Commission, and Chinas Ministry of Ecology and Environment, oil and gas companies are increasingly investing in advanced mercury removal technologies to comply with stringent emission and discharge norms. As global oil & gas production remains strong, the Mercury Removal market is expected to witness sustained growth, driven by both regulatory mandates and the need to protect high-value infrastructure.

Stringent Environmental Regulations

One of the primary drivers of the Mercury Removal market is the increasing enforcement of strict environmental regulations aimed at reducing mercury emissions from industrial activities. Mercury is a highly toxic pollutant that can contaminate air, water, and soil, posing serious health risks to humans and ecosystems. The Minamata Convention on Mercury, In the U.S., significantly reducing use and emissions of mercury, but domestic efforts alone are not sufficient to address the effects of global mercury pollution on the U.S. population. According to some estimates, global sources contribute about 70 percent of mercury deposited in the contiguous U.S. Additionally, governments worldwide are implementing strict emission limits and wastewater discharge regulations, compelling industries to adopt advanced mercury removal technologies.

Mercury Removal Market Opportunity

Growing Demand for Mercury Removal in Emerging Economies

Rapid industrialization and urbanization in emerging economies, particularly in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa, are driving the demand for Mercury Removal market. Countries like China, India, Brazil, and Indonesia are expanding their oil & gas, power generation, and chemical manufacturing industries, increasing the need for effective mercury removal technologies to comply with evolving environmental regulations.

Type Insights

The Type segment is divided into Activated carbon, Sodium Carbonate, Resins, Chlorine, and Others. The Activated carbon segment held the dominant share in 2024, accounting for significant Mercury Removal industry share of 36.70%.

• Activated Carbon: This segment held the most market share in 2024 of Mercury Removal market. Activated carbon is a widely used mercury removal due to its high surface area and strong adsorption capacity. It is extensively used in coal-fired power plants, natural gas processing, and wastewater treatment
• Sodium Carbonate: Sodium carbonate, also known as soda ash, plays a crucial role in mercury removal by facilitating precipitation and absorption reactions. It is commonly used in industrial wastewater treatment, flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems, and chemical manufacturing. Its alkaline nature helps neutralize acidic pollutants while effectively binding and removing mercury from liquid and gaseous streams
• Resins: Mercury removal resins are specialized polymeric materials designed to selectively capture mercury ions from contaminated liquids and gases. These resins, often used in water treatment, chemical processing, and pharmaceutical industries, provide a regenerable and long-lasting solution. Their ability to achieve high efficiency at low concentrations makes them ideal for sensitive applications
• Chlorine: Chlorine-based chemicals, such as sodium hypochlorite and chlorine dioxide, aid in mercury removal by oxidizing elemental mercury into soluble forms that can be easily captured or precipitated. This method is used for water purification, industrial effluent treatment, and flue gas scrubbing, ensuring compliance with strict environmental discharge regulations

Process Insights

The Process segment is divided into Adsorption-Based removal, Chemical Precipitation, Ion Exchange Resins, Membrane Filtration, Thermal Treatment, Biological Treatment, Electrochemical Removal. The Adsorption-Based removal segment held the dominant share in 2024, accounting for significant Mercury Removal industry share.

Adsorption-Based Removal: Adsorption-based removal is a widely used method where mercury is captured on solid surfaces like activated carbon, zeolites, or metal-based sorbents. This process is highly effective in coal-fired power plants, natural gas processing, and industrial wastewater treatment, offering high removal efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and minimal environmental impact for mercury-contaminated streams

Chemical Precipitation: Chemical precipitation involves adding reagents to convert dissolved mercury into insoluble compounds, which are then removed via filtration or sedimentation. This method is widely applied in wastewater treatment, chemical manufacturing, and mining industries, effectively reducing mercury levels in effluents to meet regulatory discharge standards. This segment includes:

• Sulfide Precipitation: Sulfide precipitation utilizes sodium sulfide or hydrogen sulfide to react with mercury ions, forming mercury sulfide (HgS)—an insoluble, stable compound. This method is highly effective in industrial wastewater treatment and mining effluents, as mercury sulfide remains non-toxic and resistant to leaching, ensuring safe disposal.
• Hydroxide Precipitation: Hydroxide precipitation uses alkaline reagents such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or lime (Ca(OH)₂) to convert mercury into insoluble hydroxides. Commonly used in chemical processing and water treatment, this method is cost-effective but may require additional filtration and pH control to optimize mercury removal efficiency.
• Co-Precipitation with Ferric Salts: Co-precipitation with ferric salts involves adding ferric chloride (FeCl₃) or ferric sulfate (Fe₂(SO₄)₃) to bind mercury into iron-based precipitates. This technique is widely employed in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment due to its ability to remove both mercury and other heavy metals simultaneously.

Ion Exchange Resins: Ion exchange resins are specialized polymer materials that selectively capture mercury ions from water and gas streams. These resins are highly effective in low-concentration applications such as pharmaceutical wastewater, semiconductor manufacturing, and chemical industries, offering a regenerable and high-capacity mercury removal solution.

Membrane Filtration: Membrane filtration uses semi-permeable membranes to physically separate mercury contaminants from liquids. This process is widely applied in industrial water treatment and desalination, providing a highly efficient and chemical-free method for mercury removal. This segment includes:

• Reverse Osmosis (RO): Reverse osmosis (RO) forces water through a high-pressure semi-permeable membrane, effectively removing mercury, heavy metals, and dissolved salts. RO is commonly used in drinking water purification, industrial wastewater treatment, and desalination plants, ensuring high-purity water output
• Ultrafiltration (UF): Ultrafiltration (UF) utilizes membranes with smaller pore sizes to remove particulates, colloids, and mercury-bound organic matter. This method is effective in pre-treatment for RO systems, pharmaceutical wastewater treatment, and food processing industries, offering high filtration efficiency with minimal energy consumption
• Nanofiltration (NF): Nanofiltration (NF) membranes operate between RO and UF, selectively removing heavy metals, organic contaminants, and divalent ions while allowing beneficial minerals to pass through. NF is widely used in water softening, food and beverage processing, and advanced industrial wastewater treatment, ensuring efficient mercury separation

Thermal Treatment: Thermal treatment involves heating mercury-contaminated materials to high temperatures, causing mercury to vaporize for later capture. This method is effective in hazardous waste disposal, soil remediation, and industrial byproduct management, ensuring complete mercury removal and material recovery.

Biological Treatment: Biological treatment uses mercury-resistant bacteria and microorganisms to convert mercury into less toxic forms through bioremediation processes. This eco-friendly method is gaining traction in wastewater treatment, mine reclamation, and contaminated soil recovery, offering a sustainable and low-energy mercury removal approach.

Electrochemical Removal: Electrochemical removal employs electrolysis and electrocoagulation techniques to precipitate or adsorb mercury onto electrodes. This method is particularly effective in industrial effluents, metal plating, and chemical processing industries, providing high removal efficiency with minimal chemical usage.

End Use Industry Insights

The End Use Industry segment is divided into Oil & Gas, Power Generation, Mining & Metallurgy, Chemical & Petrochemical, Cement Industry, Pharmaceuticals, Water & Wastewater Treatment, Municipal Authorities, and Others. The Oil & Gas segment held the dominant share in 2024, accounting for significant Mercury Removal industry share of 45.10%.

Oil & Gas: The oil & gas industry is a major consumer of mercury removal technologies, as mercury is naturally present in crude oil, natural gas, and condensates. Its presence can cause pipeline corrosion, equipment damage, and catalyst poisoning in refineries and LNG plants. Mercury removal ensures operational efficiency and regulatory compliance in hydrocarbon processing.

Power Generation: Coal-fired power plants and industrial boilers release mercury emissions through combustion processes. To comply with strict air quality regulations, power plants implement mercury removal systems like activated carbon injection (ACI) and flue gas desulfurization (FGD). These technologies effectively capture mercury, reducing environmental pollution and public health risks.

Mining & Metallurgy: Mining operations, especially gold and non-ferrous metal extraction, produce mercury as a byproduct. Mercury removal technologies help mitigate worker exposure and environmental contamination. In metallurgy, smelting and refining processes require efficient mercury capture systems to prevent emissions and ensure safe disposal of mercury-containing waste.

Chemical & Petrochemical: Mercury contamination in chlor-alkali production, fertilizers, and specialty chemicals can cause product quality issues and equipment degradation. Mercury removal systems in chemical and petrochemical industries enhance process efficiency, minimize contamination risks, and ensure compliance with hazardous waste disposal regulations.

Cement Industry: The cement industry contributes to mercury emissions through raw material processing and fuel combustion. Mercury enters cement kilns from limestone and coal, necessitating the use of activated carbon injection, kiln dust recycling, and gas scrubbing technologies. These methods reduce mercury release and meet environmental air quality standards.

Pharmaceuticals: Pharmaceutical manufacturers require ultra-pure water and contamination-free environments. Mercury removal plays a crucial role in wastewater treatment, process purification, and raw material quality control. Advanced filtration and resin-based technologies help pharmaceutical companies maintain regulatory compliance and prevent toxic mercury exposure in drug manufacturing.

Water & Wastewater Treatment: Municipal and industrial water treatment plants use chemical precipitation, ion exchange, and membrane filtration to eliminate mercury from drinking water, industrial effluents, and surface water sources.

Municipal Authorities: Municipal authorities oversee public water treatment facilities, waste management, and pollution control. They implement mercury removal technologies in landfill leachate treatment, incineration plants, and water purification systems.

Mercury Removal Market Regional Trends

In 2024, the North America captured 37.80% of the revenue share.

North America Mercury Removal Market Trends

North America Mercury Removal Market is driven by stringent environmental regulations and a strong emphasis on sustainability. For instance, According to U.S. Energy Information Administration, in December 2021, dry natural gas production is increased by 3.5% from 2020. U.S. production in the largest resource basins has been increasing. Texas and Pennsylvania have driven this increase; production grew by nearly 1.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in both states between 2020 and 2021. The region, particularly the United States and Canada, plays a crucial role in the global market due to its well-established industries such as power generation, oil and gas, and manufacturing.

Asia Pacific Mercury Removal Market Trends

Asia Pacific Mercury Removal Market is driven by rapid industrialization and increasing environmental awareness. Countries such as China and India are witnessing substantial industrial expansion, leading to heightened mercury emissions. Activated carbon is the most commonly used material for mercury removal in the Asia-Pacific region, owing to its high adsorption potential and effectiveness. The presence of well-developed chemical plants and rapid economic development in countries like China and India further enhance industrial productivity, contributing to the demand for Mercury Removal market.

Based on the provided market data, Vantage Market Research offers customizations in the reports to meet the specific needs of clients.

Mercury Removal Market Trends

1. Stringent Environmental Regulations: Governments worldwide are implementing stricter environmental policies to control mercury emissions, driving the demand for mercury removal technologies
2. Rising Industrialization: Rapid growth in industries such as oil & gas, power generation, and chemical manufacturing is increasing mercury emissions, necessitating effective removal solutions
3. Growing Adoption of Activated Carbon: Activated carbon-based adsorbents are the most widely used materials for mercury removal due to their high efficiency and cost-effectiveness
4. Increasing Focus on Sustainability: Companies are investing in eco-friendly and sustainable mercury removal solutions to comply with environmental standards and reduce their carbon footprint
5. Technological Advancements: Innovations in adsorption technology, nanomaterials, and filtration methods are improving mercury removal efficiency and driving Mercury Removal market growth

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Competitive Landscape

The Mercury Removal market is characterized by a diverse array of global and regional players who are continually innovating to meet the evolving demands of various end-use industries. Collaboration between governments and industry players will play a key role in shaping market growth. Additionally, firms are actively expanding into emerging markets in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East, where industrialization is driving demand for mercury removal solutions. Sustainability has also become a critical focus, with companies developing eco-friendly and regulatory-compliant mercury removal technologies to meet stringent environmental standards.

• Honeywell International Inc.: Offers advanced mercury removal solutions for industrial applications, particularly in oil & gas and chemical industries
• Cabot Corporation: Specializes in activated carbon-based adsorbents for mercury control in emissions and water treatment
• Pall Corporation (Danaher Corporation): Provides filtration and separation technologies for effective mercury removal
• Schlumberger Limited: Offers customized solutions for mercury removal in the oil & gas sector
• BASF SE: Develops innovative mercury adsorbents and catalysts for industrial applications

The key players in the global Mercury Removal market include - Axen among others.

Latest Announcements

Danaher Announces Intention to Separate Environmental & Applied Solutions Segment to Create an Independent, Publicly Traded Company

• In September 2022, Danaher Corporation announced its intention to separate its Environmental & Applied Solutions segment to create an independent, publicly traded company. The new company will be comprised of Danahers Water Quality and Product Identification businesses and will be referred to as "EAS" until it is named at a later date

Kinder Morgan Increases RNG Portfolio

• In July 2021, Kinder Morgan Inc. has agreed to acquire Indianapolis-based Kinetrex Energy, a supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the Midwest United States and a growing player in producing and supplying renewable natural gas (RNG) under long-term contracts to transportation service providers

Mercury Removal Market Segments Covered in the report:

By Type:

• Activated carbon
• Sodium Carbonate
• Resins
• Chlorine
• Others

By Process:

• Adsorption-Based Removal
• Chemical Precipitation
  • Sulfide Precipitation
  • Hydroxide Precipitation
  • Co-Precipitation with Ferric Salts
• Ion Exchange Resins
• Membrane Filtration
  • Reverse Osmosis (RO)
  • Ultrafiltration (UF)
  • Nanofiltration (NF)
• Thermal Treatment
• Biological Treatment
• Electrochemical Removal

By End Use Industry:

• Oil & Gas
• Power Generation
• Mining & Metallurgy
• Chemical & Petrochemical
• Cement Industry
• Pharmaceuticals
• Water & Wastewater Treatment
• Municipal Authorities
• Others

Mercury Removal Market Regions and Countries:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Italy
• Spain
• Nordic Countries
• Benelux Union
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• South-East Asia
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America

The Middle-East and Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of Middle-East Africa