UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2028

The UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market was valued at USD 253.43 million in 2022 and is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 2.13% through 2028. The UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market is anticipated to grow significantly in the projected period 2028 due to the burgeoning demand for fresh water for drinking as well as residential purposes, increasing adoption of water treatment chemicals in the industrial sector, supportive government policy, and rising demand for the desalination plant. According to the World Health Organization, 663 million people lack access to improved drinking water worldwide, while 1.8 billion people use contaminated drinking water. As per Worldometer, approx. Thirty-seven thousand fifty-two people don’t have access to safe drinking water in UAE. The UAE is situated in a desert region with extremely limited availability of freshwater resources such as lakes, glaciers, and rivers. Due to low annual rainfall and limited natural water sources, the region experiences significant water scarcity challenges. Therefore, water treatment plants play a crucial role in treating and recycling available water resources, including wastewater and seawater, and meet the growing freshwater demand for household and drinking purposes. Over the past few decades, the UAE has experienced rapid population growth and urbanization due to increasing population and migration. The increasing population positions an additional burden on water resources and makes water treatment chemicals a necessity for treating and recycling water. Hence, the region has a rising demand for water treatment chemicals in the UAE to ensure a sustainable supply for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use.

Key Market Drivers

Increasing Demand from End-User Industries is a Key Factor Driving the UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market Growth.

The increasing demand from end-user industries in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a significant driver for the demand for water treatment chemicals. In past decades, the UAE has undergone substantial industrial growth in sectors such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, power generation, manufacturing, and food and beverage. The UAE lies among those countries that have the world’s highest per capita consumption of bottled water, 285 liters per year. The industries mentioned above need large quantities of water for their production processes, machinery cooling systems, and various other operational needs. In Water treatment, chemicals play an essential role in treating and recycling the water to ensure that the product meets the specific quality requirements of each industry. Different end-user industries in the UAE are subject to stringent water quality standards and regulatory requirements. Hence, to comply with these regulations, it is crucial to ensure the health and safety of employees, protect the environment, and meet international standards for product quality. In such situations, water treatment chemicals play a vital role in maintaining water quality and meeting regulatory requirements by addressing issues such as pH control, disinfection, scale and corrosion prevention, and wastewater treatment. Water reuse and recycling have become important strategies in the UAE to deal with the scarcity of freshwater. As an outcome, industries in the region are adopting water reuse practices to optimize water consumption and minimize the burden on freshwater sources. Water treatment chemicals are used to treat and disinfect recycled water, removing impurities and contaminants to make it suitable for reuse in various industrial processes. Furthermore, the UAE's thriving tourism and hospitality sector requires large amounts of water to support hotels, resorts, recreational facilities, and other amenities. Hence, to ensure a safe and pleasant experience for tourists and guests, water treatment chemicals help administrators maintain water quality in pools, spas, cooling systems, and drinking water. These chemicals play a crucial role in maintaining water quality, meeting industry-specific requirements, and supporting the country's economic growth while minimizing the environmental impact. Therefore, the increasing demand from these end-user industries, coupled with the UAE's focus on sustainable water management and regulatory compliance, is a key driver for the UAE water treatment chemicals market in the projected period.

Growing Demand from Desalination Plants is Impacting the UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market Growth

The growing demand for desalination plants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a direct impact on the demand for water treatment chemicals in the region. Desalination is a crucial process in the UAE, where there is a shortage of freshwater resources and abundant seawater is converted into freshwater suitable for various uses. As per the UAE government statement, the UAE meets 42 percent of its drinking water needs through desalination, and agriculture accounts for 60 percent of the total freshwater consumption. The desalination process involves the removal of salts, minerals, and impurities from seawater in which effective water treatment chemicals are required. These chemicals are used for pre-treatment, membrane cleaning, disinfection, and post-treatment to ensure the production of high-quality desalinated water. The UAE has a limited supply of freshwater sources, and desalination plants are a major means of meeting the growing water needs in the region. The demand for desalinated water is increasing as the population grows and various industries expand in the region. In Abu Dhabi, a total of 600 million m3 of treated wastewater is produced a year, of which 352 million m3 is used for landscaping and district cooling. Industries in the UAE region alone consume around 9 percent of all water consumption in the country. Consequently, the demand for water treatment chemicals used in desalination plants also rises to ensure the efficient and reliable operation of these facilities. Desalinated water must meet strict quality standards and regulatory requirements for human consumption and industrial use. For addressing issues such as fouling, scaling, biofouling, and disinfection, water treatment chemicals play a crucial role in maintaining water quality throughout the desalination process. Compliance with water quality standards drives the demand for appropriate treatment chemicals to ensure the production of safe and reliable drinking water. Regular maintenance and cleaning of desalination plants are necessary to optimize their efficiency and lifespan. Water treatment chemicals are used for membrane cleaning, scale and fouling prevention, and corrosion control within the plant infrastructure. The demand for these chemicals is directly related to the number of desalination plants in operation and their maintenance requirements.

Key Market Challenges

Lack of Public Awareness and Education

Despite the crucial significance of water treatment chemicals, there persists a lack of public awareness and education. A considerable number of UAE residents remain uninformed about the intricate processes and chemicals required to ensure the availability of clean and safe water. A lack of awareness about water treatment chemicals can lead to misconceptions about water safety. A well-informed public is crucial to ensuring confidence in the quality of drinking water and preventing health-related concerns. Insufficient awareness poses a constraint on public engagement and support for water treatment initiatives. This impedes the collaborative endeavor to enhance water treatment processes, thereby diminishing the impact of infrastructure investments and constraining the growth potential of the water treatment chemicals market.

Fluctuations in Economy

Economic fluctuations often affect industrial production levels. Reduced industrial output can result in lower demand for water treatment chemicals used in industrial processes, such as cooling water treatment and wastewater management. The tourism and commercial sectors are integral to the UAE's economy, exerting significant influence. Economic downturns can result in reduced activity within these sectors, impacting water demand for hotels, restaurants, and other commercial establishments that depend on water treatment chemicals. Moreover, infrastructure projects, such as the construction of water treatment plants and desalination facilities, may experience delays or postponements during periods of economic uncertainty. This can impede the implementation of advanced water treatment technologies.

Key Market Trends

Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance

The UAE has acknowledged the critical significance of strong regulatory frameworks in ensuring the secure and effective treatment of water. Regulatory compliance acts as a fundamental pillar for the water treatment chemicals market, exerting influence on its dynamics in multiple ways. Regulatory compliance ensures that treated water meets the highest standards of quality and safety. Adherence to regulations prevents contamination and the presence of harmful substances, safeguarding public health and well-being. Regulatory frameworks frequently integrate sustainability principles, fostering the utilization of environmentally friendly and low-impact chemicals. This fosters the advancement and implementation of water treatment solutions that align with the UAE's dedication to environmental stewardship. Quality assurance practices facilitate the development of cutting-edge chemical formulations that optimize the treatment process, enhance efficiency, and elevate the overall performance of water treatment systems. Quality assurance practices often incorporate traceability mechanisms, allowing for the tracking of chemical ingredients from production to application. This transparency enhances accountability and ensures the integrity of the supply chain. Moreover, quality assurance measures guarantee consistent quality across batches of water treatment chemicals. Maintaining consistency is crucial for achieving predictable and reliable treatment outcomes.

Segmental Insights

Type Insights

In 2022, the water treatment chemicals market was dominated by coagulants & flocculants and is predicted to continue expanding over the coming years. Coagulation and flocculation are commonly employed in the chemical storage tanks of oil and gas plants. The purpose of the coagulation process is to accelerate sedimentation. Coagulants, which can be in the form of organic or inorganic compounds such as aluminum hydroxide chloride and aluminum sulfate, are added for the purpose of removing approximately 90% of suspended solid particles during the wastewater treatment process.

Application Insights

In 2022, the water treatment chemicals market was dominated by the water desalination segment and is predicted to continue expanding over the coming years. Desalination offers a dependable and consistent supply of fresh water, reducing the UAE's dependence on imported water and diminishing the vulnerability associated with fluctuating international water supply chains. The UAE has been at the forefront of investing in cutting-edge desalination technologies. Advances in desalination processes, such as reverse osmosis and multi-stage flash distillation, have made these methods more energy-efficient and cost-effective. Rapid population growth and urbanization have increased the demand for water, especially in urban areas where most of the population resides. Desalination helps meet this growing demand.

Regional Insights

Dubai has established itself as the leader in the UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market. Dubai is a major hub for industrial activities and manufacturing facilities in the UAE. The city boasts a prominent presence of industries that heavily rely on water treatment chemicals, including construction, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors. This concentration of industries significantly drives the demand for effective water treatment solutions. Moreover, the government of Dubai has taken proactive measures to tackle environmental challenges such as water scarcity and pollution. As a result, there has been a rise in regulations and guidelines for water treatment and quality, fostering a favorable environment for the growth of the water treatment chemicals market. Dubai's remarkable infrastructure development projects, encompassing real estate, tourism, and commercial ventures, necessitate extensive water treatment to cater to the increasing demand for clean and safe water. This underscores the imperative for a resilient water treatment chemicals market.

Key Market Players

• Green Water Treatment Solutions LTD.
• SVS Global FZ LLC
• Taj Al Mulook General Trading LLC
• Ibn Al Haj Chemicals LLC
• Al Khowahir Chemicals Material Trading LLC
• Fluidz UAE LLC
• Eflochem Chemicals Blending Co
• REDA Industrial Materials FZE UAE
• BASF FZE
• Culligan Middle East FZE

Report Scope:

In this report, the UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends, which have also been detailed below:

UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market, By Type:

• Coagulants & Flocculants
• Corrosion Inhibitors
• Scale Inhibitors
• Biocides & Disinfectants
• Chelating Agents
• Others

UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market, By Application:

• Water Desalination
• Raw Water Treatment
• Boiler Water Treatment
• Cooling Water Treatment
• Others

UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market, By End-User:

• Industrial
• Commercial
• Residential

UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market, By Region:

• Dubai
• Abu Dhabi
• Sharjah
• Rest of the UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market.

Available Customizations:

UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market report with the given market data, the publisher offers customizations according to a company's specific needs.


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