Top 10 Companies in the Heavy Metal Chelating Agent Industry (2026): Market Leaders in Environmental Solutions

In Business Insights
February 07, 2026


The Global Heavy Metal Chelating Agent Market was valued at USD 1.24 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.82 Billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.8% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This substantial growth is propelled by increasingly stringent environmental regulations, rising industrial wastewater discharge, and the critical need for advanced water treatment solutions across key sectors such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and mining.

As industries worldwide grapple with the challenge of heavy metal contamination, specialized chelating agents have become essential for ensuring regulatory compliance and environmental safety. These chemical compounds form stable complexes with toxic metal ions, preventing their leaching into ecosystems and enabling safer disposal or recovery. In this blog, we examine the Top 10 Companies in the Heavy Metal Chelating Agent Industry—innovators providing the chemical tools necessary for cleaner industrial processes and water remediation.

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🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Trilon™ series (EDTA, DTPA, HEDTA), Gluconates

BASF is a global leader in chemical solutions, and its Trilon™ portfolio represents some of the most widely used chelating agents in the world. These products are critical for controlling metal ions in industrial cleaning, water treatment, and pulp & paper production, enhancing process efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of readily biodegradable alternatives like “green” chelants

  • Commitment to circular economy principles in product lifecycle management

  • Global production facilities ensuring supply chain resilience


9️⃣ 2. Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: Versene™ chelating agents (EDTA, HEIDA), Acumer™ polymers

Dow offers a comprehensive range of high-performance chelating agents under its Versene™ brand. These products are engineered for effectiveness across a broad pH range and are vital components in applications from boiler water treatment to agricultural micronutrient delivery systems.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in R&D for next-generation, sustainable chelation chemistry

  • Partnerships with wastewater treatment facilities to optimize metal removal processes


8️⃣ 3. Nouryon

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Dissolvine™ chelants (GLDA, EDTA, DTPA), Securon™ products

Nouryon is a specialty chemicals powerhouse with a strong focus on chelating agents. Its Dissolvine™ GLDA (Glutamic Acid N,N-Diacetic Acid) is a notable biodegradable chelant derived from natural, renewable raw materials, positioning the company at the forefront of sustainable innovation.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering bio-based and readily biodegradable chelating agents

  • Active participation in industry consortia for setting environmental standards

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Heavy Metal Chelating Agent Market – View in Detailed Research Report


7️⃣ 4. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Chelest® series (EDTA, DTPA), ASKABILE® scale inhibitors

Mitsubishi Chemical is a dominant player in the Asia-Pacific market, providing high-purity chelating agents for electronics, pharmaceuticals, and water treatment. The company’s technical expertise is particularly valued in applications requiring ultra-pure water and precise metal ion control.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on closed-loop systems for metal recovery and recycling

  • Development of low-environmental-impact products for the electronics sector


6️⃣ 5. Kemira Oyj

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: Fennosan® chelants, soluble silicates for metal control

Kemira specializes in water chemistry and delivers advanced chelating solutions primarily for the pulp & paper industry and municipal water treatment. Their products are designed to improve operational efficiency while meeting the highest environmental compliance standards.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Integration of chelation technology into comprehensive water management programs

  • R&D focused on reducing the environmental footprint of industrial processes


5️⃣ 6. SNF Floerger

Headquarters: Andrézieux, France
Key Offering: Polymeric organic chelating agents, flocculants

SNF is a world leader in water-soluble polymers and offers specialized polymeric organic chelating agents. These high-molecular-weight compounds are highly effective for sequestering heavy metals in industrial wastewater and mining effluent, often used in conjunction with SNF’s renowned flocculants.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of polymer-based chelants for enhanced sludge dewatering and metal stabilization

  • Global manufacturing network supporting local supply for treatment plants

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4️⃣ 7. Lanxess AG

Headquarters: Cologne, Germany
Key Offering: Lewatit® ion exchange resins, Baypure™ chelating agents

Lanxess provides a unique combination of chelating chemistry and ion exchange technology. Their Baypure™ products, including the biodegradable chelant CX 100, are used for heavy metal immobilization in various industrial applications, complementing their extensive Lewatit® resin portfolio.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Hybrid solutions combining chelation and resin technologies for superior metal removal

  • Focus on products that facilitate compliance with EU REACH regulations


3️⃣ 8. Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Natural-based chelants (e.g., citrates, gluconates)

Leveraging its vast bio-processing capabilities, ADM produces natural and bio-derived chelating agents. These products are favored in food processing, agriculture, and environmental applications where synthetic chelants are restricted or where a natural profile is preferred.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Utilization of renewable agricultural feedstocks for chelant production

  • Expansion of product lines for the bio-based economy


2️⃣ 9. AVA Chemicals Pvt. Ltd.

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: EDTA and its salts, DTPA, NTA, Citric Acid

AVA Chemicals is a significant manufacturer of standard chelating agents, serving a growing market in South Asia and the Middle East. The company provides cost-effective solutions for textile processing, agrochemicals, and metal cleaning industries.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in manufacturing efficiency to reduce waste and energy consumption

  • Focus on meeting the specific regulatory needs of emerging economies


1️⃣ 10. Hexion Inc.

Headquarters: Columbus, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Specialty epoxy hardeners with chelating functionality

Hexion offers specialized products where chelation technology is integrated into polymer systems, such as coatings and composites. These are used for heavy metal stabilization in contaminated soil and construction materials, providing long-term immobilization.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of polymeric systems for permanent heavy metal sequestration

  • Applications in sustainable construction and land remediation projects

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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 evolving beyond conventional chemistry. While traditional agents like EDTA and DTPA remain volume leaders, the industry is rapidly advancing toward bio-based, biodegradable alternatives and integrated treatment systems that offer higher efficiency and lower environmental impact.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Strong regulatory push for biodegradable chelants, especially in Europe and North America

  • Rising demand from Asia-Pacific driven by industrialization and stricter pollution controls

  • Integration of chelation technology with other remediation methods (e.g., membrane filtration, adsorption)

  • Growing R&D into targeted chelants for specific industries and metal contaminants

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

The companies leading this market are not just supplying chemicals—they are providing essential environmental solutions that enable industries to operate responsibly and contribute to a cleaner, safer planet.