The global water and wastewater treatment market size was estimated at USD 328.74 billion in 2023 and is expected to hit around USD 576.43 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032.
Wastewater and water treatment is the procedure of enhancing the quality of wastewater and transforming it into an effluent that can be either recycled or returned to nature with little impact on the environment.
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The U.S. water and wastewater treatment market size was valued at USD 60.29 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach around USD 108.89 billion by 2032, poised to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2024 to 2032.
North America dominated water and wastewater treatment in 2023. North America's population continues to grow, particularly in urban areas, leading to increased demand for clean water and effective wastewater management. Rapid urbanization exacerbates challenges related to water scarcity, pollution, and inadequate infrastructure, driving the need for comprehensive water and wastewater treatment solutions. The presence of diverse industries, including manufacturing, energy production, and agriculture, in North America results in significant wastewater generation and pollution. Strict environmental regulations require industries to treat their wastewater before discharge, spurring demand for advanced treatment technologies and services.
One major element driving the market expansion of wastewater treatment chemicals is the growing worry about the depletion of freshwater resources. In order to prevent and resolve such issues and improve the reusability of wastewater in the process, governments of many nations throughout the world are putting tight laws and regulations into place. A number of governments are also actively interested in enhancing municipal water infrastructure in both urban and rural locations. The demand for water & wastewater treatment chemicals is anticipated to increase during the forecast period as a result of such advancements in industrial and domestic/municipal water treatment. Rapid industrialization is also contributing to rising groundwater pollution, particularly in developing nations. Because of this, governments in many nations are launching programs to use wastewater effectively, which is predicted to increase demand for chemicals used in wastewater treatment. Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on a number of businesses and nations. Lockdown has been implemented all over the world, which has halted the manufacture of electronic components and limited the market's growth for chemicals used in water and wastewater treatment. The delivery of raw materials needed to manufacture electrical components has also been delayed. Regulations governing the import and export of chemicals and raw materials have an impact on the supply chain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The paucity of raw materials, therefore, has an influence on the manufacture of chemicals for water treatment, which also has an effect on the market expansion.
Additionally, it was expected that until the second quarter of 2022, production halts brought on by staff illnesses and mandated firm closures would restrain the market's expansion for water treatment chemicals. Additionally, it was anticipated that as a result of the decline in production, manufacturing, oil & gas, and other activities, the market for water treatment chemicals would grow more slowly by 2020. With a market share of 33.05% in terms of revenue, Asia Pacific excluding Japan led all other regions in 2022 for water and wastewater treatment chemicals, followed by North America and Europe, respectively.
| Report Coverage | Details |
| Market Size in 2023 | USD 328.74 Billion |
| Market Size by 2032 | USD 576.43 Billion |
| Growth Rate from 2024 to 2032 | CAGR of 6.4% |
| Base Year | 2023 |
| Forecast Period | 2024 to 2032 |
| Segments Covered | By Equipment, By Process, and By Application |
| Regions Covered | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa |
Key Market Drivers
Growing pulp and paper industry
Key Market Challenges
Key Market Opportunities
Increasing population and globalization
In 2023, the membrane separation market category dominated with 34.7% of worldwide revenue. Membrane separation is a physical treatment method that removes certain components from the solution by forcing high-pressure feed water through a semi-permeable membrane. Membrane separation is superior to alternative techniques in a variety of ways, including a small operational space and excellent filtration effectiveness. After the first treatment, the residual pollutants are typically removed using a secondary technique known as biological treatment. Strict laws are designed to use environmentally friendly methods to reduce water pollution in the industry and municipal sectors. The need for biological treatment equipment is anticipated to rise in developed markets including the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Japan.
The biological segment is observed to be the fastest growing at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period. Biological treatment methods are versatile and can target a wide range of contaminants found in water and wastewater, including organic compounds, nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus), and certain toxic substances. This versatility allows biological treatment systems to address diverse water quality challenges encountered in different industrial, municipal, and environmental settings.
Many environmental regulations and discharge standards require the removal of organic pollutants and nutrients from wastewater before discharge into receiving water bodies. Biological treatment systems are well-suited to meet these regulatory requirements, as they can achieve high levels of pollutant removal and ensure compliance with water quality standards.
The market was dominated by the tertiary treatment process category in 2023, accounting for about 43.79% of global revenue, and is anticipated to grow at the quickest CAGR of 5.2% from 2024 to 2032. Prior to reuse or environmental release, effluent quality is improved by tertiary treatment. In order to make water suitable for reuse, this method eliminates the inorganic chemicals, viruses, germs, and parasites that remain after subsequent treatment procedures. For the purpose of removing heavy sediments and floating objects from effluent, the first treatment is utilized. Water and pollutants are separated from wastewater by passing it through a number of tanks and filters. During the projected period, it is anticipated that low operating costs and strong market visibility will be extremely important in expanding the main treatment's application area.
From 2024 to 2032, the secondary treatment process category is anticipated to grow at the second-fastest CAGR of 5.7%. Utilizing trickling filters, bio-towers, rotating biological contactors, and activated sludge systems, secondary treatment is primarily used to remove soluble organic waste and compounds, such as phosphorus and nitrogen. Aerobic or anaerobic biological processes can be employed in subsequent therapy. A membrane bioreactor is a cutting-edge treatment system that combines membrane filtration with traditional biological treatment methods like the activated sludge process to remove suspended and organic particles more effectively and efficiently. Using microfiltration or ultrafiltration membranes, solid-liquid filtration is accomplished.
The industrial segment held the dominating share of 66.1% in 2023. Industrial activities generate a variety of pollutants and contaminants that must be treated before being discharged into the environment to comply with environmental regulations. Regulatory bodies impose strict standards for wastewater discharge, requiring industries to invest in effective water and wastewater treatment technologies to meet compliance requirements. Advances in water and wastewater treatment technologies have made it increasingly feasible for industries to treat their wastewater on-site or recycle water for reuse in their processes. Innovative solutions, such as membrane filtration, biological treatment systems, and advanced oxidation processes, offer efficient and cost-effective methods for treating complex industrial wastewater streams.
Segments Covered in the Report
By Equipment
By Process
By Application
By Geography
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