Frugal Innovation in Industrial Water Treatment Processes in Emerging Economies (2015–2025): A Systematic Review.

Abstract

The treatment of industrial wastewater in emerging economies remains a structural challenge, particularly in sectors such as textiles, mining, and agro-industry, where access to effective and affordable technologies is still limited. In this context, frugal technologies have gained prominence due to their low cost, operational simplicity, and potential for local adaptation. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of frugal technologies applied to the treatment of industrial wastewater between 2015 and 2025. The PICOC framework and PRISMA guidelines were applied, complemented by a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer. Following a rigorous selection process, 39 articles meeting specific methodological and geographical criteria were analyzed. The results enabled the classification of seven technological types, with bioadsorption, phytoremediation, and simplified advanced oxidation being the most frequent, achieving removal efficiencies ranging from 60% to 99%, depending on the contaminant. Furthermore, 15 critical success factors were identified, with operational simplicity, the use of locally available materials, and pilot-scale validation emerging as key determinants. Only 20% of the technologies demonstrated high scalability, although 60% showed strong replicability under similar conditions. It is concluded that frugal technologies represent a concrete pathway toward more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable industrial water management aligned with SDGs 6,9,and12.