Top 10 Companies in the Heavy Metal Chelating Agent Industry (2026): Market Leaders Driving Environmental Remediation and Water Treatment

In Business Insights
January 31, 2026


The Global Heavy Metal Chelating Agent Market was valued at USD 1.52 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 2.19 Billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.3% during the forecast period (2024–2034). This robust growth is propelled by increasingly stringent environmental regulations for wastewater discharge, heightened industrial activities, and the growing demand for advanced water treatment solutions across municipal and industrial sectors.

As industries worldwide intensify their focus on sustainability and regulatory compliance, the role of heavy metal chelating agents has become paramount. These specialized chemicals are critical for immobilizing toxic metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic, preventing their leaching into the environment. In this comprehensive analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Heavy Metal Chelating Agent Industry—a dynamic group of chemical giants, specialty manufacturers, and innovators shaping the future of environmental safety and industrial wastewater management.


🔟 1. Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: VERSENE™ Chelating Agents, Polymer Organic Chelating Agents

Dow is a global leader in specialty chemicals, offering a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance chelating agents under its VERSENE™ brand. These products are engineered for superior metal ion control in a wide array of applications, including industrial water treatment, pulp and paper processing, and cleaning formulations.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of biodegradable chelant alternatives to traditional EDTA and DTPA

  • Investment in closed-loop water treatment systems for industrial clients

  • Commitment to sustainable chemistry principles and circular economy models

Download FREE Sample Report: Heavy Metal Chelating Agent Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. SNF Group

Headquarters: Andrézieux-Bouthéon, France
Key Offering: Flopam™ Chelating Agents, Polyacrylamide-based Flocculants

SNF is one of the world’s largest producers of water-soluble polymers, offering advanced flocculants and chelating agents for industrial and municipal water treatment. The company’s extensive product range is critical for heavy metal removal and sludge dewatering processes.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Global R&D centers focused on eco-friendly polymer chemistries

  • Tailored solutions for mining, metallurgy, and power generation industries


8️⃣ 3. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Trilon™ Chelating Agents, Gluconates

BASF offers a diverse range of chelating agents and metal scavengers under its Trilon™ brand, serving industries from agrochemicals to personal care. Their expertise in carboxylate and phosphonate chemistry makes them a key player in heavy metal sequestration.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of readily biodegradable chelants like methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA)

  • Integration of chelation technology into circular economy solutions


7️⃣ 4. Nouryon

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Dissolvine® Chelating Agents, Organic Phosphonates

Nouryon, formerly AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals, is a leading global producer of Dissolvine® chelants, including EDTA, DTPA, and GLDA. These products are essential for controlling metal ions in cleaning, water treatment, and pulp bleaching applications.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Pioneering Green Chelants like GLDA (L-glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid)

  • Strategic partnerships for sustainable mining and metal recovery processes

Download FREE Sample Report: Heavy Metal Chelating Agent Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Kemira Oyj

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: Hyperclass™ Chelating Polymers, Ferric Sulphate-based Coagulants

Kemira is a leading chemicals company serving water-intensive industries with a focus on pulp & paper, oil & gas, and mining. Their chelating agents play a crucial role in process water treatment and heavy metal removal from industrial effluents.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of bio-based coagulants and flocculants

  • Digital solutions for optimizing chemical dosing and treatment efficiency


5️⃣ 6. LANXESS AG

Headquarters: Cologne, Germany
Key Offering: Lewatit® Ion Exchange Resins, Baypure® Chelating Agents

LANXESS offers advanced ion exchange resins and specialty chemicals for heavy metal removal from water and process streams. Their Baypure® chelating agents are known for high biodegradability and effectiveness across various pH ranges.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Focus on metal recovery and recycling technologies

  • Development of selective chelants for specific industrial applications


4️⃣ 7. Chosense Environment

Headquarters: Jiangsu, China
Key Offering: Heavy Metal Capturing Agents, Sulfide-based Precipitants

Chosense is a prominent Chinese manufacturer specializing in heavy metal treatment chemicals for the electronics, electroplating, and battery manufacturing industries. The company offers customized solutions for complex wastewater challenges.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • R&D in novel thiourea-based and dithiocarbamate chelants

  • Expansion of production capacity to meet growing Asian market demand


3️⃣ 8. Shandong Taihe Water Treatment Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Shandong, China
Key Offering: Organic Polymer Flocculants, Polyferric Sulfate

As one of China’s leading water treatment chemical suppliers, Taihe offers a comprehensive range of coagulants and chelating agents for industrial and municipal applications. The company has a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific heavy metal treatment market.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of composite flocculants for enhanced heavy metal removal

  • Strategic focus on wastewater treatment for the textile and dyeing industries


2️⃣ 9. Suzhou Haonuo Industry and Trade Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Suzhou, China
Key Offering: Custom Chelating Agents, Water Treatment Chemicals

Suzhou Haonuo specializes in the research, development, and production of specialty chemicals for water treatment, including heavy metal precipitants and chelating agents tailored for specific industrial wastewater streams.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Focus on cost-effective solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises

  • Development of multifunctional agents for simultaneous pollutant removal


1️⃣ 10. Kaifeng Hongyuan Water Treatment Technology Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Kaifeng, China
Key Offering: Polyacrylamide, Heavy Metal Scavengers

Kaifeng Hongyuan is a specialized manufacturer of water treatment chemicals, with a strong focus on products for heavy metal contamination control. The company serves various industries including mining, metallurgy, and chemical manufacturing.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of high-efficiency chelating resins

  • Expansion into emerging markets with stringent environmental regulations

Get Full Report Here: Heavy Metal Chelating Agent Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Heavy Metal Chelation is Smarter and Greener

The heavy metal chelating agent market is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by technological innovation and evolving regulatory landscapes. While traditional phosphates and sulfides continue to dominate certain applications, the industry is rapidly adopting biodegradable alternatives, smart delivery systems, and integrated treatment solutions.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rapid adoption of green chelants like GLDA and IDS in developed markets

  • Increasing regulatory pressure phasing out persistent chelating agents

  • Digitalization of water treatment processes with IoT and AI for optimal dosing

  • Growing focus on metal recovery and recycling from industrial waste streams

Get Full Report Here: Heavy Metal Chelating Agent Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not only providing essential environmental solutions—they’re driving the sustainable transformation of industrial water management worldwide.