Water Treatment Chemicals Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027

The water treatment chemicals market was valued at US$34.339 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.35% over the forecast period to reach a market size of US$52.838 billion by 2027.



Chemicals used in the water treatment process make water more suitable for end-use applications such as drinking, cooking, irrigation, and other industrial processes. Water chemicals include sodium metabisulphite, ferric chloride, and sodium hex metaphosphate SHMP. The chemical industry employs a variety of water treatment procedures that include both physical and chemical processes to remove contaminants such as sand, minerals, germs, and viruses, among others. Water is a vital resource for homes, and it has various applications in end-use industries, thus there is a strong need for water treatment in order to reuse and recycle it. The rising need for water consumption as a result of population growth and industrial usage is projected to boost the global water treatment chemicals market.

However, aversion towards chemicals, stringent government regulations, and the existence of alternative methods can negatively affect the water treatment chemicals market.

Furthermore, during coronavirus disinfecting chemicals played a huge role in fighting coronavirus which provided a market opportunity. In most countries, instructions were provided to wastewater management agencies to maintain the disinfection of treated wastewater in accordance with current standards as an urgent reaction to combat coronavirus in wastewater. The wastewater worker guidance issued by OSHA, USA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, USA) in February 2020 states that existing disinfection methods (hypochlorous acid or peracetic acid oxidation and ultraviolet irradiation) are used in water treatment plants should be effective in inactivating coronavirus. In China, the emergency treatment plan for hospital wastewater during COVID-19 requires strict disinfection of hospital sewage disposal and a residual chlorine level greater than 6.5 ppm (> 6.5 ppm chlorine for a contact period greater than 90 minutes; > 10 ppm chlorine for a contact period less than 90 minutes).

Due to strong demand from the power and food & beverage end-use sectors, Asia Pacific holds the largest market for water treatment chemicals. During the projected period, the market for water treatment chemicals is likely to be driven by rising population and urbanization in India, China, and South Korea. The Middle East and Africa, as well as South America, are projected to see a steady rise in water treatment chemicals due to rising living standards and increased demand from mining and oil and gas end-use sectors. Because of rising demand from municipal, food and beverage, and other end-use sectors, Europe is projected to support the expansion of the water treatment chemicals market. Improving technical progress and people's level of life is likely to boost the North American market for water treatment chemicals.

Growth Factors:

Demand for chemically treated water is increasing.

Freshwater resources account for only 2.5 % of global water resources, making water supply for industrial and residential usage a difficult challenge. The growing gap between water demand and supply necessitates efficient recycling, which may be accomplished by treating it using water treatment chemicals. As a result, the consumption of wastewater from different end-use industries such as oil and gas, power production, mining, chemicals, and others has increased rapidly. The need for fresh and clean water for household, agricultural, and industrial reasons has grown substantially in emerging nations due to increased industrialization. As a result, demand for water treatment chemicals is projected to be higher in these regions than in industrialized countries. Furthermore, chemical water filtration is a more cost-effective approach than physical purification. Advanced technologies like ion exchange, UV filtration, and RO need large investments that are not always viable. The operating expenses of purifying water by chemical and physical filtration vary as well. In a large-scale water treatment facility, for example, the cost of coagulation, flocculation, and disinfection would be significantly cheaper than the cost of UV and RO treatment.

Restraints:

Existence of alternative water treatment technologies

In the water treatment industry, there is a widespread aversion to water treatment chemicals and a preference for physical water treatment methods such as UV disinfection and RO filtering. The water treatment chemicals business is increasingly turning toward these ecologically friendly options in response to growing environmental concerns and regulatory expectations. Chemicals are used as little as possible in water treatment procedures thanks to improved technology. The advancement of filtration and ultrafiltration technology is significantly replacing chemical treatment methods.

Impact of COVID-19 on the water treatment chemicals market:

The pandemic had a negative influence on the market. Due to the pandemic scenario, several end-user industries, such as petrochemical, reduced their throughput output during the lockdown due to a drop in demand. The drop in output reduces the need for water from these end-use sectors, which has a detrimental influence on the market demand for water treatment chemicals.

Key Developments:

• In September 2021, Due to a shortage of chemicals necessary to treat wastewater in the UK, the Environment Agency relaxed regulations, enabling facilities to discharge untreated sewage. Chemical supply networks are failing due to a shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers.
• In September 2021, Sustainable chemicals start-up Solugen raised $357 million in a venture investment round to produce chemicals from sugar rather than petroleum.

Market Segmentation:

By Type

• Biocides and Disinfectants
• Coagulants and Flocculants
• Corrosion and Scale Inhibitors
• Anti-Foaming Agents
• pH Adjusters and Softeners
• Others

By End-User

• Municipal
• Industrial
• Food & Beverages
• Pulp & Paper
• Metal & Mining
• Power
• Chemical & Pharma
• Oil & Gas
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• Germany
• France
• UK
• Italy
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• South Africa
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Others

Q4. What factors are anticipated to drive water treatment chemicals market growth?

A4. The rising need for water consumption as a result of population growth and industrial usage is projected to boost the global water treatment chemicals market.

Q5. Which region holds the largest market share in the water treatment chemicals market?

A5. The Asia Pacific holds the largest market for water treatment chemicals due to strong demand from the power and food & beverage end-use sectors.