Figure 1: General process flow of a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system, showing how concentrated wastewater is treated to produce pure recycled water and marketable solids, with complete elimination of liquid discharge. Executive Summary Confronting a convergence of stringent environmental mandates, critical water scarcity, and evolving stakeholder expectations, progressive industries—from power generation and semiconductors to mining and textiles—are adopting Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) as a core operational strategy. Transcending its perception as a mere compliance cost, ZLD embodies a strategic pivot towards the circular economy, converting wastewater and brine liabilities into valuable streams of freshwater and critical minerals. This technical and economic analysis delineates the implementation framework, technological integration, and definitive return on investment for deploying full-scale ZLD solutions. 1. The Converging Drivers: Beyond Compliance to Value Cr...