Water And Wastewater Treatment Market Size | Share and Trends 2024 to 2034

Water and Wastewater Treatment Market Size and Forecast 2024 to 2034

The global water and wastewater treatment market size accounted for USD 347.9 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD 652.3 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2024 to 2034. 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.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Market Key Takeaways

• In 2023, Asia Pacific led the worldwide market with a 35.35% sales share.
• In 2023, By equipment, the membrane separation segments dominated with 34.73% of worldwide revenue. 
• By process, the tertiary segments in contribute around 43.79% of global revenue in 2023.
• In 2023, By applications, the industrial segments dominated the market and accounted for 66.1% of total revenue. 

Asia Pacific Water and Wastewater Treatment Market Size and Growth 2024 to 2034

The Asia Pacific water and wastewater treatment market size was estimated at USD 115.9 billion in 2023 and is predicted to be worth around USD 282.8 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 8.6% from 2024 to 2034.

Asia Pacific dominated the water and wastewater market in 2023. The rising concerns over water scarcity and environmental pollution are observed to act as major supporting factors for the market to expand in Asian countries. Growing urbanization, insufficient infrastructure, and rising health risks are other factors to promote the market’s growth in the upcoming years. Countries such as China and India have already started advanced wastewater treatments that clearly promote the integration of advanced technologies in such services. Additionally, countries with high populations in Asian areas are required to add additional water treatment capacity to upgrade the currently employed ones. On the other hand, the booming industrial segments in the Asian area create another potential for the market to grow.

Growth Factor

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.

• Water and wastewater treatment system suppliers could have considerable growth prospects due to the increasing demand for energy-efficient and innovative water treatment systems.
• The growing need for a practical strategy for the appropriate disposal of industrial wastewater is the primary cause of the rising demand for wastewater treatment.
• The growing urban population, in particular, continues to be a key driver of industrial development.
• Growing industrialization, population growth, and urbanization have all raised the need for wastewater treatment.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Key Market Drivers

Growing pulp and paper industry

• To remove particles and particulate matter and reduce effluent toxicity, the pulp and paper industry uses water and wastewater treatment technologies such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange, UV disinfection, membrane filtering, biological treatment, and others. For instance, the Canadian government claims that the pulp and paper sector is expanding. In 2021, the Minister of Natural Resources announced an investment of around US$3.8 million through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) in Red Leaf Pulp, a company located in Kelowna. Additionally, Invest India estimates that the paper and paperboard industry in India would develop at a rate of 6-7% annually. India uses 15 kilograms of paper per person annually. The expanding pulp and paper sector will need additional water and wastewater treatment technology to handle waste streams, which will spur industrial expansion over the course of the projected period.

Key Market Challenges

• Numerous end users, especially small-scale enterprises, are discouraged from employing water treatment chemicals due to the fluctuating price of raw materials. Only because of stringent government regulations that also apply to small sector participants are manufacturers embracing wastewater chemicals. The market growth for chemicals used in water and wastewater treatment is predicted to be adversely affected by this aspect. Over the course of the projected period, it is anticipated that adverse reactions to wastewater treatment chemicals, such as allergies, mouth sores, eczema, and rashes, would restrain market expansion. Additionally, not all pathogens and contaminants are eliminated from the water since certain pollutants are still present in the water and difficult to remove. This aspect is anticipated to limit the market expansion of chemicals used in wastewater treatment.

Key Market Opportunities

Increasing population and globalization

• More than two-thirds of the world's population is projected to reside in cities by 2050. Rapid urbanization fosters economic growth, but it also raises the demand for freshwater resources. More urban garbage will probably pollute water with a variety of contaminants, including plastics, chemicals from personal care items, and nutrients and pathogens from human excrement. The need for water and wastewater technology is anticipated to increase as a result in the upcoming years.

Equipment Insights

In 2023, the membrane separation market category dominated with 34.73% 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.

Global Biotechnology Market Revenue, By Equipment, 2022-2023 (USD Billion)

Process Insights

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 2034. 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 2034, 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.

Global Biotechnology Market Revenue, By Process, 2022-2023 (USD Billion)

Application Insights

The industrial segment held the dominating share of 66.10% 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.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Market Companies

• Suez Environnement S.A. (France)
• Veolia Environnement SA. (France)
• Xylem, Inc. (U.S.)
• DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (U.S.)
• 3M Company, Inc. (U.S.)
• Pentair plc (U.K.)
• United Utilities Group PLC (U.K.)
• Kingspan Group Plc  (U.K.)
• The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.)
• BASF SE (Germany)
• Kurita Water Industries Ltd. (Japan)
• Bio-Microbics, Inc. (U.S.)
• Calgon Carbon Corporation (U.S.)
• Trojan Technologies Inc. (Canada)
• Kemira Oyj (Finland)
• Thermax Limited (India)
• Wog Technologies (India)
• Golder Associates, Inc. (Canada)
•  SWA Water Technologies PTY LTD. (Australia)
• Burns & McDonnell (U.S.)
• Adroit Associates Private Limited (India)
• Sauber Environmental Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (India)
• SPEC Limited (India), Ecolab, Inc. (U.S.)
• GFL Environmental Inc. (U.S.)
• Clean TeQ Water Limited (Australia)

Recent Developments

• In November 2021, the chemicals and process technology business Kemira increased its capacity for manufacturing in the United Kingdom. The business said that at its U.K. facilities, it will increase annual production of ferric-based water treatment chemicals by more than 100,000 tonnes.
• In July 2020, Mexico-based Poliqumicos, S.A. de C.V. (Poliqumicos), a manufacturer of specialty chemicals for pulp, paper, oil and gas, chemical processing, etc., was bought by Solenis. Manufacturer and distributor of specialist chemical solutions for water-intensive industries, Poliqumicos. Solenis' sales in the Mexican market have increased as a result of the acquisition of Poliqumicos, as have its production capacities there.

Segments Covered in the Report

By Equipment

• Membrane Separation
• Biological
• Disinfection
• Sludge Treatment
• Others

By Process

• Primary
• Secondary
• Tertiary

By Application

• Municipal
• Industrial

By Geography

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)