Water Treatment Chemicals Market
Water Treatment Chemicals Market Forecasts to 2032 – Global Analysis By Chemical Type (Coagulants, Flocculants, Biocides, Disinfectants, Scale Inhibitors, Corrosion Inhibitors, pH Adjusters, Water Softeners, Anti-Foaming Agents and Chelating Agents), Source, Application, End User and By Geography
According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market is accounted for $40.28 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $56.69 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period. Water treatment chemicals play a vital role in cleaning and conditioning water for drinking, industrial use, and wastewater treatment. They remove contaminants like suspended particles, microorganisms, metals, and organic matter to make water safe and compliant with regulations. Key categories include coagulants, flocculants, disinfectants, pH regulators, and anti-corrosion agents. Using them correctly improves water clarity, taste, and quality, while also preventing damage to pipes and equipment from scaling or rust. Choosing appropriate chemicals and accurate dosages ensures efficient treatment, cost savings, and environmental protection. Innovations in chemical solutions continue to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and reliability of water treatment systems.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Disinfection of drinking-water using chlorine is a proven and effective method to reduce diarrhoeal disease by up to 40%, particularly in low-resource settings.
Market Dynamics:
Driver:
Increasing demand for clean water
The rising global population and rapid urbanization are driving an increased demand for safe and clean water. Industries, agriculture, and households all require high-quality water, highlighting the need for efficient water treatment solutions. Water treatment chemicals are essential for removing contaminants, impurities, and harmful microorganisms, ensuring water safety and adherence to environmental regulations. Substantial investments by governments and organizations in water infrastructure are further supporting market expansion. Additionally, growing awareness of waterborne illnesses and the critical importance of hygiene is accelerating the use of water treatment chemicals across industrial, commercial, and residential applications.
Restraint:
High operational and chemical costs
High costs of water treatment chemicals and operations restrict market growth. Expensive coagulants, flocculants, and disinfectants, along with equipment maintenance and monitoring, strain budgets, especially in smaller industries and municipalities. Raw material price fluctuations add further financial pressure. As a result, adopting advanced chemical solutions becomes difficult, particularly in developing regions, where cost efficiency is crucial. Operational and chemical expenses often limit investment in innovative water treatment technologies, delaying modernization of water infrastructure. Therefore, affordability remains a key challenge that hinders widespread adoption of effective water treatment chemicals, despite their essential role in ensuring safe and clean water for industrial, municipal, and residential use.
Opportunity:
Adoption of eco-friendly and sustainable solutions
Rising environmental awareness offers opportunities for eco-friendly water treatment chemicals. Biodegradable and non-toxic alternatives are increasingly preferred by industries and municipalities seeking to reduce ecological impact. Sustainable chemicals minimize sludge, prevent secondary contamination, and improve treated water safety. With stricter environmental regulations in place, demand for green chemical solutions is growing, encouraging innovation and research. Companies focusing on sustainable water treatment technologies can expand their market presence while supporting environmental goals. This transition toward eco-conscious solutions ensures compliance with regulations and aligns with global trends in sustainable water management, making green chemicals a key opportunity for future market growth and long-term adoption.
Threat:
Competition from alternative treatment methods
Alternative water treatment technologies like membrane filtration, UV purification, and reverse osmosis threaten the chemical treatment market. Non-chemical methods are preferred for their lower chemical consumption, reduced environmental impact, and energy efficiency. With increasing focus on sustainable water management, reliance on traditional chemicals may decrease. Continuous improvements in alternative technologies enhance their efficiency and affordability, further attracting industries and municipalities. Chemical manufacturers must innovate, diversify, or integrate these technologies to maintain competitiveness. Failure to adapt could result in reduced market share. The growing shift toward alternative purification methods poses a significant challenge to the traditional water treatment chemicals market, demanding strategic responses from established players.
Covid-19 Impact:
The COVID-19 pandemic had a notable impact on the water treatment chemicals market. Growing concerns over hygiene and sanitation drove higher demand for disinfectants, coagulants, and other chemicals to ensure safe water and wastewater management. Hospitals, municipal water systems, and industries relied heavily on these chemicals to limit viral spread. Conversely, disruptions in supply chains, raw material shortages, and temporary factory closures affected production and availability. Despite challenges, the pandemic emphasized the importance of water treatment chemicals for public health, boosting awareness and accelerating adoption across key sectors. This dual effect reshaped market dynamics, reinforcing the essential role of chemical solutions in water safety.
The coagulants & flocculants segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period
The coagulants & flocculants segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period, primarily due to their effectiveness in removing suspended particles from water. Coagulants neutralize charges on particles, promoting their aggregation, while flocculants bind these aggregates into larger clusters for easier removal. This dual-action process is vital in both municipal and industrial water treatment applications, including raw water clarification and wastewater processing. The segment's prominence is attributed to its extensive use across various industries, such as power generation, oil and gas, and municipal utilities, driven by growing water treatment demands and stringent environmental regulations.
The bio-based chemicals segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period
Over the forecast period, the bio-based chemicals segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate, fueled by heightened environmental awareness and a global shift towards sustainability. These chemicals, sourced from renewable materials, present environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional synthetic options, minimizing ecological impacts. Their increasing adoption is supported by favorable regulations encouraging the use of green technologies and a growing preference for safer, non-toxic water treatment methods. This movement is especially evident in regions with strict environmental policies, where industries are proactively seeking sustainable solutions to adhere to compliance requirements.
Region with largest share:
During the forecast period, the North America region is expected to hold the largest market share, attributed to rigorous environmental policies, significant infrastructure investments, and a robust industrial sector. Particularly in the United States, the demand is fueled by extensive power generation, municipal water systems, and diverse industrial applications. A strong focus on sustainability and adherence to regulations like the Clean Water Act drive the widespread use of advanced water treatment chemicals. Moreover, the concentration of leading market players and ongoing technological innovations bolster the region's dominant position. This leadership highlights North America's pivotal influence on global water treatment trends.
Region with highest CAGR:
Over the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR. This surge is driven by factors such as rapid industrialization, urbanization, and heightened environmental awareness. Nations like China, India, Japan, and South Korea are making substantial investments in water treatment infrastructure to tackle issues related to water scarcity, pollution, and stringent environmental regulations. The escalating demand for water treatment chemicals is further fueled by the necessity to ensure safe drinking water and adhere to regulatory standards. Consequently, the APAC region is set to lead in market growth during the forecast period.
Key players in the market
Some of the key players in Water Treatment Chemicals Market include Kemira Oyj, Veolia, Ecolab, Kurita Water Industries Ltd., Solenis LLC, BASF SE, Thermax, Nouryon, SNF Floerger, Dow Chemical Company, Lonza, Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A., SUEZ SA, Chembond Chemicals Limited and Ion Exchange India.
Key Developments:
In August 2025, Veolia has signed an agreement with CDPQ to acquire its 30 per cent stake in Veolia’s subsidiary, Water Technologies and Solutions (WTS), giving Veolia full ownership of the company. The move is expected to unlock further value potential, simplify the Group’s structure, and generate approximately €90m in additional run-rate cost synergies.
In August 2025, Ecolab Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ovivo’s Electronics business, a leading and fast-growing global provider of breakthrough ultra-pure water technologies for semiconductor manufacturing. The acquisition will further strengthen Ecolab’s global high-tech growth engine by bringing together Ovivo’s ultra-pure water technologies with Ecolab’s leading water solutions, digital technologies and global service capabilities.
In June 2024, Kemira Oyj signed a definitive agreement to acquire Reactivation business in United Kingdom of Norit from Purton Carbons Limited on June 28, 2024. The scope of the agreement includes the reactivation facility in Purton, United Kingdom. Nine employees will transfer to Kemira as part of the transaction.
Chemical Types Covered:
• Coagulants
• Flocculants
• Biocides
• Disinfectants
• Scale Inhibitors
• Corrosion Inhibitors
• pH Adjusters
• Water Softeners
• Anti-Foaming Agents
• Chelating Agents
Sources Covered:
• Synthetic Chemicals
• Bio-based Chemicals
Applications Covered:
• Boiler Water Treatment
• Cooling Water Treatment
• Raw Water Treatment
• Process Water Treatment
• Wastewater Treatment
• Desalination
End Users Covered:
• Municipal
• Industrial
• Commercial
• Residential
Regions Covered:
• North America
o US
o Canada
o Mexico
• Europe
o Germany
o UK
o Italy
o France
o Spain
o Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
o Japan
o China
o India
o Australia
o New Zealand
o South Korea
o Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
o Argentina
o Brazil
o Chile
o Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
o Saudi Arabia
o UAE
o Qatar
o South Africa
o Rest of Middle East & Africa
What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2032
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements
Free Customization Offerings:
All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:
• Company Profiling
o Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
o SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
o Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
o Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances
Table of Contents
1 Executive Summary
2 Preface
2.1 Abstract
2.2 Stake Holders
2.3 Research Scope
2.4 Research Methodology
2.4.1 Data Mining
2.4.2 Data Analysis
2.4.3 Data Validation
2.4.4 Research Approach
2.5 Research Sources
2.5.1 Primary Research Sources
2.5.2 Secondary Research Sources
2.5.3 Assumptions
3 Market Trend Analysis
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Drivers
3.3 Restraints
3.4 Opportunities
3.5 Threats
3.6 Application Analysis
3.7 End User Analysis
3.8 Emerging Markets
3.9 Impact of Covid-19
4 Porters Five Force Analysis
4.1 Bargaining power of suppliers
4.2 Bargaining power of buyers
4.3 Threat of substitutes
4.4 Threat of new entrants
4.5 Competitive rivalry
5 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market, By Chemical Type
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Coagulants
5.3 Flocculants
5.4 Biocides
5.5 Disinfectants
5.6 Scale Inhibitors
5.7 Corrosion Inhibitors
5.8 pH Adjusters
5.9 Water Softeners
5.10 Anti-Foaming Agents
5.11 Chelating Agents
6 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market, By Source
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Synthetic Chemicals
6.3 Bio-based Chemicals
7 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market, By Application
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Boiler Water Treatment
7.3 Cooling Water Treatment
7.4 Raw Water Treatment
7.5 Process Water Treatment
7.6 Wastewater Treatment
7.7 Desalination
8 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market, By End User
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Municipal
8.3 Industrial
8.4 Commercial
8.5 Residential
9 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market, By Geography
9.1 Introduction
9.2 North America
9.2.1 US
9.2.2 Canada
9.2.3 Mexico
9.3 Europe
9.3.1 Germany
9.3.2 UK
9.3.3 Italy
9.3.4 France
9.3.5 Spain
9.3.6 Rest of Europe
9.4 Asia Pacific
9.4.1 Japan
9.4.2 China
9.4.3 India
9.4.4 Australia
9.4.5 New Zealand
9.4.6 South Korea
9.4.7 Rest of Asia Pacific
9.5 South America
9.5.1 Argentina
9.5.2 Brazil
9.5.3 Chile
9.5.4 Rest of South America
9.6 Middle East & Africa
9.6.1 Saudi Arabia
9.6.2 UAE
9.6.3 Qatar
9.6.4 South Africa
9.6.5 Rest of Middle East & Africa
10 Key Developments
10.1 Agreements, Partnerships, Collaborations and Joint Ventures
10.2 Acquisitions & Mergers
10.3 New Product Launch
10.4 Expansions
10.5 Other Key Strategies
11 Company Profiling
11.1 Kemira Oyj
11.2 Veolia
11.3 Ecolab
11.4 Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
11.5 Solenis LLC
11.6 BASF SE
11.7 Thermax
11.8 Nouryon
11.9 SNF Floerger
11.10 Dow Chemical Company
11.11 Lonza
11.12 Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A.
11.13 SUEZ SA
11.14 Chembond Chemicals Limited
11.15 Ion Exchange India
List of Tables
1 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Region (2024-2032) ($MN)
2 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Chemical Type (2024-2032) ($MN)
3 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Coagulants (2024-2032) ($MN)
4 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Flocculants (2024-2032) ($MN)
5 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Biocides (2024-2032) ($MN)
6 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Disinfectants (2024-2032) ($MN)
7 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Scale Inhibitors (2024-2032) ($MN)
8 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Corrosion Inhibitors (2024-2032) ($MN)
9 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By pH Adjusters (2024-2032) ($MN)
10 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Water Softeners (2024-2032) ($MN)
11 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Anti-Foaming Agents (2024-2032) ($MN)
12 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Chelating Agents (2024-2032) ($MN)
13 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Source (2024-2032) ($MN)
14 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Synthetic Chemicals (2024-2032) ($MN)
15 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Bio-based Chemicals (2024-2032) ($MN)
16 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Application (2024-2032) ($MN)
17 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Boiler Water Treatment (2024-2032) ($MN)
18 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Cooling Water Treatment (2024-2032) ($MN)
19 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Raw Water Treatment (2024-2032) ($MN)
20 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Process Water Treatment (2024-2032) ($MN)
21 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Wastewater Treatment (2024-2032) ($MN)
22 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Desalination (2024-2032) ($MN)
23 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By End User (2024-2032) ($MN)
24 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Municipal (2024-2032) ($MN)
25 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Industrial (2024-2032) ($MN)
26 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Commercial (2024-2032) ($MN)
27 Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook, By Residential (2024-2032) ($MN)
Note: Tables for North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East & Africa Regions are also represented in the same manner as above.
List of Figures
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
We at ‘Stratistics’ opt for an extensive research approach which involves data mining, data validation, and data analysis. The various research sources include in-house repository, secondary research, competitor’s sources, social media research, client internal data, and primary research.
Our team of analysts prefers the most reliable and authenticated data sources in order to perform the comprehensive literature search. With access to most of the authenticated data bases our team highly considers the best mix of information through various sources to obtain extensive and accurate analysis.
Each report takes an average time of a month and a team of 4 industry analysts. The time may vary depending on the scope and data availability of the desired market report. The various parameters used in the market assessment are standardized in order to enhance the data accuracy.
Data Mining
The data is collected from several authenticated, reliable, paid and unpaid sources and is filtered depending on the scope & objective of the research. Our reports repository acts as an added advantage in this procedure. Data gathering from the raw material suppliers, distributors and the manufacturers is performed on a regular basis, this helps in the comprehensive understanding of the products value chain. Apart from the above mentioned sources the data is also collected from the industry consultants to ensure the objective of the study is in the right direction.
Market trends such as technological advancements, regulatory affairs, market dynamics (Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Challenges) are obtained from scientific journals, market related national & international associations and organizations.
Data Analysis
From the data that is collected depending on the scope & objective of the research the data is subjected for the analysis. The critical steps that we follow for the data analysis include:
- Product Lifecycle Analysis
- Competitor analysis
- Risk analysis
- Porters Analysis
- PESTEL Analysis
- SWOT Analysis
The data engineering is performed by the core industry experts considering both the Marketing Mix Modeling and the Demand Forecasting. The marketing mix modeling makes use of multiple-regression techniques to predict the optimal mix of marketing variables. Regression factor is based on a number of variables and how they relate to an outcome such as sales or profits.
Data Validation
The data validation is performed by the exhaustive primary research from the expert interviews. This includes telephonic interviews, focus groups, face to face interviews, and questionnaires to validate our research from all aspects. The industry experts we approach come from the leading firms, involved in the supply chain ranging from the suppliers, distributors to the manufacturers and consumers so as to ensure an unbiased analysis.
We are in touch with more than 15,000 industry experts with the right mix of consultants, CEO's, presidents, vice presidents, managers, experts from both supply side and demand side, executives and so on.
The data validation involves the primary research from the industry experts belonging to:
- Leading Companies
- Suppliers & Distributors
- Manufacturers
- Consumers
- Industry/Strategic Consultants
Apart from the data validation the primary research also helps in performing the fill gap research, i.e. providing solutions for the unmet needs of the research which helps in enhancing the reports quality.
For more details about research methodology, kindly write to us at info@strategymrc.com
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