The challenge of treating saline wastewater is growing as industries from chemicals to pharmaceuticals generate increasingly complex effluents. Traditional biological methods often fail under high salinity, leaving companies searching for solutions that meet both regulatory and sustainability goals. A new review published in *Industrial Water Treatment* (Gongye shui chuli) by Professor Tang Zheng of Nanjing Tech University offers a timely roadmap through this technical maze.
“Saline wastewater isn’t just a treatment problem—it’s a resource opportunity,” Tang says. “With the right technology, we can recover water, salts, and even energy, turning a waste stream into a revenue stream.”
The paper systematically evaluates physical, chemical, and biological approaches—from membrane distillation to electrochemical oxidation—and highlights how combining them in “reduction, harmlessness, and resource utilization” processes can unlock value. For the energy sector, where produced water from oil and gas or desalination brines pose persistent challenges, this could mean lower disposal costs and new revenue from salt and metal recovery.
One standout trend is the shift toward low-energy materials and smart systems. Anti-fouling membranes and AI-driven process optimization are reducing operational footprints while increasing efficiency. “We’re moving beyond compliance,” Tang notes. “Industries now want circularity—not just meeting discharge limits, but extracting resources at minimal energy cost.”
The review also maps technologies to specific industrial effluents, offering a practical guide for engineers. For sectors like textiles and pharmaceuticals, where salt-rich streams are common, adopting these advanced coupled processes could reduce freshwater intake and cut disposal-related emissions.
As industries race to meet carbon targets, saline wastewater treatment is no longer an afterthought—it’s a strategic lever. With this research, Tang and his team aren’t just solving a technical problem; they’re pointing the way to a more resource-efficient future.
Published in *Industrial Water Treatment* (Gongye shui chuli), the study provides a foundation for engineers, policymakers, and innovators to rethink how saline wastewater is managed—turning a persistent liability into a sustainable asset.