Recover, refine, and ensure long-term retention: ZETTL presents the complete process chain for mercury waste at the ICMGP World Conference in Hyderabad

With its BPD, RPD, Mercury Fine Distiller (MFD), and Mercury Stabilization Unit (MSU), the Central German equipment manufacturer covers every stage—from recovery through fine purification to 99.9999% purity, all the way to stabilization suitable for final disposal.

Munich / Hyderabad, September 29, 2026 – From October 4 to 10, 2026, international experts on mercury gathered at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad for the 17th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant (ICMGP). Under the theme “Reaching Ten Years of Enforcement of the Minamata Convention,” scientists, government agencies, and industry representatives discussed how to further reduce mercury emissions worldwide. ZETTL GmbH participated for the first time and will host the workshop “Mercury Waste Treatment – From Recovery to Safe Stabilization” on October 4.

A Growing Need for Action. According to UNEP, approximately 2,220 metric tons of mercury from human sources are released into the atmosphere each year, with just under half of that amount coming from Asia. Mercury does not break down and accumulates in the food chain as methylmercury. Article 11 of the Minamata Convention—ratified by India in 2018—requires the environmentally sound management of mercury-containing wastes such as lamps, thermometers, button cells, dental amalgam, chlor-alkali sludges, and contaminated soil. With the global phase-out of dental amalgam by 2034, these quantities will continue to grow.

Recovery using BPD and RPD. The Batch Process Distiller (BPD) processes amalgam, thermometers, button cells, battery mixtures, and slurries fully automatically in a closed, inerted system under vacuum at 350 to 700 °C. Mercury is recovered with a purity of 99.9 to 99.99%; the residue contains less than 10 ppm of mercury, and the exhaust gas contains less than 10 μg/m³. The BPD 1000 processes up to 1,000 kg of mercury or 800 kg of amalgam per batch; for smaller quantities, the BPD 100 and BPD 200 are available. For large volumes of sludge, drill cuttings, and contaminated soil, the Rotating Process Distiller (RPD) operates in continuous rotary mode—also achieving a residual content of less than 10 ppm. The mercury from the RPD is further purified in the BPD.

Refining and permanently binding. Where reuse is permitted, the Mercury Fine Distiller (MFD) refines the mercury in two stages to up to 99.9999%—for applications such as research and medical technology. MSU converts excess mercury—for example, from decommissioned chlor-alkali plants—into solid, virtually insoluble mercury sulfide (cinnabar)—the stabilization method specified by the Basel Convention prior to final disposal. It stabilizes up to 1.8 metric tons of mercury per day in a footprint of just 4 × 5 meters.
“Waste containing mercury is both a hazardous substance and a valuable resource. We safely recover the mercury, refine it for permissible reuse, or permanently bind it as cinnabar—all from a single source and proven in operation for decades. By participating in Hyderabad, we aim to be present where tomorrow’s standards are being set—especially in Asia, where the need for action is particularly great.” Michael Zettl, Managing Director of ZETTL GmbH

About ZETTL

ZETTL GmbH, headquartered in Munich with locations in Berga/Südharz and Dessau-Roßlau, has been a partner to industry in the field of mechanical and thermal process engineering for approximately sixty years—including in the chemical, pharmaceutical, environmental technology, fertilizer, steel, and building materials industries. Its core products include paddle dryers, mixers, filter dryers, rotary drum technology, and mercury treatment systems. ZETTL is certified to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015. www.zettl-munich.de

Images (upon request): BPD 1000, RPD, MFD, MSU, portrait of Michael Zettl

Press Contact

ZETTL GmbH · Bodenseestraße 29 · 81241 Munich [Michael Zettl, michael.zettl@zettl-munich.de]