Global Water Treatment Chemical Market to Grow

The global drinking water and wastewater treatment chemical market is expected to reach $23.9bn by 2015, driven by demand for potable and fresh water for agriculture and industry, according to a Global Industry Analysts report.

Increasing environment protection initiatives, growing population, rapid industrialisation and recycling of limited water resources are expected to drive the global water treatment chemical market, the research revealed.

Desalination, odour control and metal separation are the segments expected to record double-digit growth.

In the US, rising environmental concerns and strict regulations at national and state levels regarding waterborne organic content, suspended solids and contaminants will be the key drivers.

Application of sophisticated membranes in desalination, development of easier-to-use products for recreational water treatment and use of speciality chemicals in industrial water treatment will further boost the market.

Although the North American market is expected to lead the way in terms of growth, Asia Pacific will grow by an estimated 3.9% through to 2015.

With respect to product segments, corrosion and scale-inhibiting, chemicals represents the largest market. In terms of growth, biocides and disinfecting, the chemicals sector is projected to grow at the highest rate.

The research says the use of water over the last three centuries has increased 35-fold.