WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS MARKET ANALYSIS
The water and wastewater treatment chemicals market is estimated to be valued at USD 38,903.1 Mn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 53,297.4 Mn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% from 2024 to 2031.
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The market is expected to witness steady growth during the forecast period. The growth of the market can be attributed to the increasing demand for chemically treated water from various end-use industries and strict regulations regarding the disposal of wastewater. Rapid urbanization and growing population have led to increased stress on water resources, boosting the need for effective water & wastewater treatment solutions. Furthermore, rising global awareness about water conservation and the availability of advanced treatment chemicals are adding to the demand. The implementation of integrated urban water management practices and sustainable wastewater treatment also bodes well for the water and wastewater treatment chemicals market.
Growth in Industrial Activity
Rapid industrialization in regions, such as Asia Pacific, is boosting the demand for water and wastewater treatment chemicals. Setting up new industries or expanding the existing ones requires a huge amount of water which then needs to be treated as per various quality standards before being disposed into the environment. Industries, such as power generation, mining, oil & gas, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, pulp & paper, and food processing, are large consumers of water. They generate significant wastewater which needs advanced treatment to remove impurities and make it fit for discharge. While treatment facilities are being expanded or modernized, the demand for various water treatment chemicals like coagulants, flocculants, biocides, pH conditioners, etc. is rising steadily. More stringent environmental regulations regarding discharge standards are also propelling industrial plants to invest in advanced treatment technologies that utilize specialized chemicals. Countries in Asia pacific are witnessing a major boom in the manufacturing sector which will positively impact the demand from process industries. This growth in industrial production and strengthening of effluent quality norms are fueling the growth of the water treatment chemicals market.
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Urbanization and rising living standardsWith rapid urbanization taking place globally, more people are moving to cities in search of better living standards and lifestyle. According to the United Nations, around 68% of the world population is projected to live in urban areas by 2050. As the population in cities increase, the demand for water and its treatment is also growing substantially. Urban citizens require access to safely managed drinking water and proper sanitation facilities on a daily basis. At the same time, the levels of wastewater generated in densely populated urban settlements has multiplied manifold over the past few decades. This unprecedented urban growth has placed tremendous strain on existing water resources and infrastructure for water supply as well as wastewater collection and disposal systems. Most cities especially in developing nations currently do not have adequate facilities to dependably supply water to all their inhabitants and treat growing volumes of municipal and industrial wastewater. The World Health Organization in its 2022 report highlighted that over 2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water services and over half the global population lacks safely managed sanitation. Improper disposal of wastewater from homes and industries directly impacts the quality of freshwater bodies and public health.
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Challenges: Stringent environmental regulationsStringent environmental regulations around the usage and disposal of chemicals have increased compliance costs for manufacturers. Additionally, developing innovative products to meet future requirements is capital intensive. Supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have also impacted the prices of key input materials. Sourcing alternative raw materials without compromising on product quality or efficacy remains a challenge.
Opportunities: Growing global fresh water scarcity
Growing global fresh water scarcity is boosting investments in the water and wastewater treatment infrastructure. And treatment. Expanding urbanization and increasing industrial activities are also driving the demand for water treatment chemicals from the municipal and industrial segments. Additionally, more stringent quality norms worldwide mean that the usage of chemicals will continue to grow. Tailoring products for emerging markets and gaining approvals for new applications can allow companies to access untapped regions.
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Insights by Product type: Demand for advanced water treatment drives the growth of coagulants & flocculantsIn terms of product type, coagulants & flocculants contribute 38.6% share of the market owing to their widespread applications across various end-use industries in 2024. As a primary step in water treatment processes, coagulants and flocculants effectively remove suspended solid particles and colloids from raw water sources through chemical coagulation and flocculation. Their ability to form dense clusters of pollutants and precipitate them out of solution makes them indispensable for treating turbid water and meeting stringent quality standards for various purposes. The growth in coagulants & flocculants is facilitated by the rising global population and rapid urbanization which is placing considerable pressure on water resources. This has boosted investments in advanced water and wastewater treatment infrastructure to replenish water reserves and allow for resources to be reused. Moreover, tightening environmental regulations regarding safe discharge of treated effluents have also increased the demand for effective pre-treatment chemicals. The segment is also benefiting from technological advancements which have led to the development of novel coagulant formulations tailored for unique water qualities and capable of handling higher flow rates.
Insights by Application: Increased water scarcity drives the growth of raw water treatment
In terms of application, raw water treatment contributes 32.5% share of the market owing to the pressing need for augmenting water supplies in 2024. Rising water scarcity due to climate change, over-abstraction and pollution have heightened the importance of raw water treatment process. Raw water treatment aims at removing particulate impurities and restoring water to potable standards. It serves as the foremost step in water treatment chains across various end-use industries as well as municipal water utilities. The growth in raw water treatment is propelled by the widening gap between – water availability and its demand globally.. This has necessitated large-scale investments in desalination facilities, wastewater recycling, integrated water resources management and inter-basin water transfer projects. An increasing proportion of available freshwater is being earmarked for non-potable industrial uses as well which has widened the scope and scale of upstream water treatment activities. Moreover, continuous rise in global population and rapid economic development especially in emerging economies have further exacerbated the water crisis by escalating per capita water consumption.
Insights by End User: Stringent quality standards steer growth in municipal segment
In terms of end user, the municipal segment contributes 36.3% share of the global market owing to stringent quality regulations for potable water supplies in 2024. Municipal water treatment facilities, which are run by local government agencies, form the backbone for provision of safe drinking water to millions of households worldwide as well as industrial and commercial establishments within their jurisdiction. The growth in municipal end use is driven by steadily tightening health and safety guidelines regarding presence of contaminants in distributed water. Regulatory bodies are continuously revising standards and imposing shorter allowable limits for toxic metal ions, organic and inorganic solutes, harmful microbes, etc. to align with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. This has compelled municipal authorities to invest in advanced treatment infrastructure utilizing state-of-the-art technologies and specialized chemicals. Additionally, aging distribution networks and pipes in developed nations also warrant systematic upgrades and rehabilitation projects to minimize leakage and risk of contamination. Ensuring reliable access to clean drinking water has elevated to a development priority globally as safeguarded under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6. This will continue facilitating investments in water and wastewater treatment capacity expansions across expanding municipal networks catering to burgeoning urban localities.
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North America has dominated the global water and wastewater treatment chemicals market for decades with 36.8% of the market share in 2024. The region has strict regulations around water quality and the protection of water resources. Many North American cities and municipalities have aging water infrastructure that require extensive use of treatment chemicals to ensure delivered water meets all health and safety standards. Major chemical producers have established strong production facilities across the U.S. and Canada to serve the huge domestic demand. Proximity to end users allows for reliable and cost-effective distribution of essential chemistries. With the vast amount of fresh water available through the Great Lakes and other surface sources, water treatment will remain critical in North America for the foreseeable future.
The Asia Pacific region is currently the fastest growing market for water and wastewater treatment chemicals worldwide. Rapid urbanization and industrialization have significantly increased pressure on limited water supplies in densely populated nations like China and India. At the same time, greater emphasis is being placed on responsible environmental stewardship of Asia pacific rivers and coastal waters. Both domestic and industrial wastewater streams now require extensive chemical treatment before discharge. While the Asia Pacific market was once served primarily through imports, local producers have emerged to capitalize on the surge in need. Many global chemical firms have also set up regional manufacturing operations to get products closer to the customer.
Report Coverage
| Report Coverage | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Year: | 2023 | Market Size in 2024: | US$ 38,903.1 Mn |
| Historical Data for: | 2019 To 2023 | Forecast Period: | 2024 To 2031 |
| Forecast Period 2024 to 2031 CAGR: | 4.6% | 2031 Value Projection: | US$ 53,297.4 Mn |
| Geographies covered: |
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| Companies covered: |
Kemira Oyj, ION EXCHANGE (I) Ltd, Thermax Ltd, BASF-SE, GE Water & Process Technologies, Dorf Ketal, Chembond India Ltd, SNF Group, Vasu Chemicals, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Shandong Taihe Water Treatment Technologies Co., Ltd., Shandong XinTai Water Treatment Technology Co., Ltd, SUEZ, Ecolab, Solenis, Nouryon, and Cortec Corporation |
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*Definition: The water and wastewater treatment chemicals market consists of various chemical products that are used in water and wastewater treatment processes to eliminate contamination, provide purification, and protect system infrastructure. These chemicals include coagulants and flocculants, corrosion inhibitors, pH adjusters and softeners, biocides and disinfectants, and others that are used during various stages of water treatment such as purification, disinfection, and filtration to ensure water is potable
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