One media /
Selective MetalTrapp® is a regenerable macroporous chelating media developed for the selective capture and polishing of dissolved polyvalent metals from industrial water, wastewater and concentrated process streams.
MetalTrapp® combines a styrenic macroporous polymer structure with iminodiacetic-acid chelating functionality. Multiple coordination sites form stable complexes with suitable dissolved metal cations, while the porous bead architecture provides accessible internal surfaces and efficient diffusion pathways. Its uniform, relatively small beads support rapid mass transfer and improved utilization of active sites. The media’s practical selectivity and operating capacity depend on metal species, oxidation state, pH, competing ions, soluble complexing agents, concentration and contact time.
Capture target metals / Leave background salts behind
Selective polishing for
MetalTrapp® can be used as a polishing, recovery or protective guard-bed technology after suitable pretreatment. Every application requires a representative water analysis and project-specific capacity validation.
Industrial Wastewater Polishing
Final dissolved-metal removal after precipitation, clarification and solids filtration.
Metal Finishing and Plating
Polishing or potential recovery of dissolved copper, nickel, zinc, cadmium and related metal species.
Mining and Hydrometallurgical Water
Selective polishing after bulk suspended-solid and dissolved-metal reduction.
High-Salt Process Streams
Capture of suitable trace metals or alkaline-earth contaminants from concentrated saline water.
Process-Water Reuse
Guard-stage treatment that helps prevent metal accumulation in recycled industrial-water loops.
Membrane and Process Protection
Trace-metal control upstream of membranes, catalysts, electrochemical processes and sensitive equipment.
Four functions engineered /
Selective coordination chemistry (CHELATE-SELECT)
Iminodiacetic-acid functional groups provide multiple coordination sites that preferentially bind suitable dissolved polyvalent metal cations.
Accessible internal pore structure (MACRO-ACCESS)
The macroporous polymer matrix provides internal surface access and diffusion pathways through which dissolved metals reach active capture sites.
Uniform small-bead kinetics (MASS-TRANSFER)
A narrow bead-size distribution and relatively small mean bead diameter support rapid diffusion and effective utilization of the media bed.
Reusable capture and recovery (REGEN-CYCLE)
Acid regeneration releases captured metals into a concentrated stream, after which alkaline conditioning restores the media to its sodium service form.
How MetalTrapp® selectively
MetalTrapp® uses coordination chemistry rather than simple physical filtration. Dissolved metal cations diffuse into the bead and form complexes with chelating functional groups.
- Iminodiacetic-Acid Coordination – Multiple donor atoms coordinate suitable metal cations through more than one interaction point, producing stronger binding than simple electrostatic attraction.
- Metal Speciation and pH Control – Capture depends on dissolved metal form and active site availability; pH changes alter media ionization and metal speciation.
- Competitive Selectivity – Polyvalent target metals are captured preferentially over sodium, though high calcium and magnesium can consume working capacity.
- Regenerable Capture Cycle – Hydrochloric acid displaces captured metals, and sodium hydroxide conditioning returns the media to sodium service form.
Explore selective
Frequently
Technical guidance for selecting, operating and regenerating MetalTrapp® media.
Contact SupportBuild a selective metal-capture solution
It starts with metal speciation, competing ions and the required final-water limit.
Send us your water analysis (target metals, pH, competing ions, flow rates) and metal capture or polishing objectives. Our specialists will help evaluate MetalTrapp® for your system.
