Global Water Utility Industry Report
Close to 9 million people worldwide are suffering from problems linked to the lack of safe drinking water. Global demand for clean water continues to rise along with the world’s population, and as water sources decline, industrialization and water pollution continue to pose a significant risk, pushing demand for water treatment up, reports Global Industry Analysts.
As a solution, various water recycling and treatment processes such as desalination and wastewater treatments are being used to improve the quality of drinking water, reports TechSci Research. Demand for water treatment chemicals is also increasing in India, China, Brazil, and Russia.
Globally, governments continue to tighten legislative parameters concerning environmental norms forcing industries and municipal corporations to adopt effective water treatment solutions.
Water Utilities Infrastructure & Treatment Chemicals
The Americas represent 40% of the overall global water utility industry in terms of value. The water utility sector involves the collection, treatment, and distribution of water to residential, industrial and agricultural consumers.
In emerging countries, the coming years will bring wider access to water supply and sanitation while in developed countries, there will be increasing demand for the upkeep and repair of the existing water infrastructure.
The world drinking and wastewater treatment chemicals market is expected to reach almost $27 billion by 2017, reports Global Industry Analysts. Market growth will be fuelled by rising world population, regulations surrounding industrial wastewater, lack of water due to resource mismanagement and growing water infrastructure in emerging markets. The adoption of policies to encourage environmental awareness will influence industrial and consumer behaviors. Specialty chemicals will be in greater demand due to the introduction of regulations concerning sludge and wastewater treatment. These chemicals are high performing and reduce toxicity levels, thereby limiting negative impact on the environment.
In the industrial domain, reuse of water and demand for ultrapure water will fuel specialty industrial water treatment chemical demand. The biocides and disinfecting chemicals market segment is expected to record the strongest growth at a yearly rate of almost 5% between 2009 and 2017. Leading companies currently operating in this market include Solvay, BASF, Kurita Water Industries, Qemi International, Calgon Carbon, Buckman Laboratories International, E. I. du Pont de Nemours, Ashland, Organo, BWA Water Additives, Norit, The Dow Chemical Company and Nalco.
Regional Water Utilities Market Share
Close to 300 million rural inhabitants go without access to safe drinking water in China, reports TechSci Research. Water purifier demand continues to rise in the face of growing water pollution, industrialization, and water-borne diseases. Due to the presence of pollution, pathogens and metals in drinking water, the Chinese water purifier market is expected to maintain close to 25% yearly growth over the next five-year period, having already doubled over the past three years. Chinese consumers are buying water purifiers due to greater awareness, which combined with poor water quality and low market penetration, will see the market go from strength to strength.
