Water Treatment Chemicals Market Size & Forecast Report - 2025 to 2030

The global water treatment chemicals market size was valued at over USD 38 billion in 2024 and expected to grow at a significant CAGR of around 4% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2030. The growing demand for safe and fresh water for industrial and residential applications is a major factor to drive the market growth. The growing population around the world is expected to increase the demand for freshwater which is further anticipated to fuel the market growth. Moreover, the increasing demand for freshwater from various end-use industries such as power generation and other industrial applications is expected to boost the market growth. In addition, the rising shift towards green chemicals is expected to provide new opportunities for market growth in the near future years.

Market Snapshot:

Industry Trends Shaping the Water Treatment Chemicals Market Growth:

The global water treatment chemicals market is witnessing strong growth driven by increasing demand for clean and safe water across municipal, industrial, and agricultural sectors. One key trend is the growing adoption of advanced oxidation processes, membrane technologies, and specialty chemicals such as coagulants, flocculants, biocides, and scale inhibitors. These chemicals help in efficiently removing contaminants, controlling microbial growth, and ensuring compliance with stringent environmental and safety regulations. The market is also being shaped by rising awareness about water scarcity, pollution control, and sustainable water management practices, pushing industries to invest in more effective and eco-friendly treatment solutions.

Another significant trend is the shift toward environmentally sustainable and multifunctional water treatment chemicals. Manufacturers are increasingly developing low-toxicity, biodegradable, and chlorine-free formulations to minimize environmental impact while maintaining high performance. Digital monitoring and automation of chemical dosing in treatment plants are also gaining traction, enabling optimized chemical usage, reduced operational costs, and improved water quality. Furthermore, the expanding industrial base in emerging economies, coupled with government initiatives for water infrastructure modernization, is boosting the demand for innovative and reliable water treatment chemical solutions globally.

Water Treatment Chemicals Market Key Drivers:

• Increasing Water Pollution and Scarcity: The growing concerns over water pollution and scarcity drive the demand for water treatment chemicals. Industrial activities, urbanization, agricultural practices, and population growth contribute to the contamination of water sources with pollutants and the depletion of freshwater resources. Water treatment chemicals play a vital role in purifying and treating water to make it safe for various applications, including drinking water, industrial processes, and wastewater treatment.
• Stringent Environmental Regulations: Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide impose stringent regulations on water quality and wastewater discharge. These regulations aim to protect public health, preserve ecosystems, and promote sustainable water management practices. Water treatment chemicals help industries and municipalities comply with these regulations by removing contaminants, reducing pollutants, and treating wastewater before discharge. The need to meet regulatory standards drives the demand for water treatment chemicals.
• Growing Industrialization and Urbanization: Rapid industrialization and urbanization lead to increased water consumption and wastewater generation. Industries such as power generation, oil and gas, chemical manufacturing, and food and beverage processing require water treatment chemicals to treat and recycle water used in their operations. Urban areas also require effective water treatment to meet the demands of the growing population. The expansion of industrial and urban sectors contributes to the demand for water treatment chemicals.
• Increasing Awareness of Waterborne Diseases: The awareness of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, typhoid, and gastrointestinal illnesses, is driving the demand for water treatment chemicals. Proper treatment of water through disinfection and microbial control measures is crucial to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. Water treatment chemicals, including disinfectants like chlorine and UV stabilizers, help eliminate pathogens and ensure the safety of drinking water and recreational water sources.
• Technological Advancements in Water Treatment Processes: Technological advancements in water treatment processes, such as membrane filtration, advanced oxidation, and ion exchange, create opportunities for the use of specialized water treatment chemicals. These chemicals aid in optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of advanced treatment techniques, improving water quality, and addressing emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals and microplastics. The adoption of advanced water treatment technologies drives the demand for corresponding water treatment chemicals.
• Growing Demand for Clean and Potable Water: The increasing demand for clean and potable water across various sectors, including residential, commercial, and industrial, fuels the need for water treatment chemicals. Population growth, urbanization, and changing lifestyles contribute to higher water consumption rates. Water treatment chemicals help remove impurities, disinfect water, and make it suitable for different applications, addressing the demand for safe and reliable water sources.
• Expansion of Desalination Projects: Desalination is gaining importance as a viable solution to address water scarcity, particularly in coastal regions. Desalination processes require water treatment chemicals to remove impurities, control scaling, and prevent membrane fouling. With the expansion of desalination projects globally, the demand for water treatment chemicals specific to desalination processes is expected to increase.
• Focus on Water Reuse and Recycling: Water reuse and recycling initiatives are gaining traction as a sustainable approach to address water scarcity and reduce the strain on freshwater resources. Water treatment chemicals play a crucial role in treating and disinfecting recycled water, enabling its safe reuse in various applications, such as irrigation, industrial processes, and groundwater recharge. The emphasis on water reuse and recycling drives the demand for water treatment chemicals.

Future Opportunities Reshaping the Water Treatment Chemicals Market’s Evolution:

The global water treatment chemicals market offers significant opportunities driven by the growing global demand for safe and clean water across municipal, industrial, and agricultural sectors. With increasing urbanization, industrialization, and water pollution, there is a strong need for advanced water treatment solutions that can efficiently remove contaminants, prevent scaling, and control microbial growth. Industries such as power generation, food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, and textiles are increasingly investing in specialized chemicals like coagulants, flocculants, corrosion inhibitors, and biocides to ensure operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. This creates substantial growth potential for manufacturers offering high-performance and customized chemical solutions tailored to specific water treatment applications.

Another major opportunity lies in the development and adoption of eco-friendly and sustainable chemicals. Governments and regulatory bodies are promoting environmentally safe water treatment practices, creating demand for chlorine-free, low-toxicity, and biodegradable chemical formulations. Additionally, the rise of smart water management systems and digital dosing technologies enables more precise chemical usage, operational cost reduction, and improved water quality monitoring. Emerging regions in Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America, where water infrastructure is being upgraded and industrial water demand is rising, also present lucrative opportunities for market expansion, particularly for companies offering innovative and scalable chemical solutions.

Market Segments Insights:

The global water treatment chemicals market is bifurcated into product type, end-use, and geography. On the basis of product, the market is further segmented into coagulants & flocculants, biocide & disinfectants, pH adjuster & softener, and others. The coagulants and flocculants segment dominated the global market in 2024 and estimated to hold the largest revenue share of over one-third of the market share. The biocide and disinfectant segment is accounted as the second-largest segment to hold the largest market share in 2024.

On the basis of end-use, the market is segmented into Industrial, Municipal, and Others. The industrial segment dominated the global water treatment chemicals market in 2024 and accounted to hold the largest market share of over half of the market. The power generation segment is one of the prominent sector that contributed to the segment growth. The power generation sector is one of the leading sectors to generate industrial wastewater. The rising environmental concern due to this wastewater is expected to increase the demand for water treatment chemicals in the industrial sector which is expected to boost the segment growth.

The water treatment chemicals comprehensive study offers an in-depth analysis of industry trends, market size, competitive analysis, and market forecast – 2025 to 2030. Research Corridor report provides detailed premium insight into the global market and reveals the potential revenue streams, commercial prospects, market drivers, challenges, opportunities, issues, and events affecting the industry. In addition, the report has a dedicated section covering market forecasts and analysis for leading geographies, profiles of major companies operating in the market and expert opinion obtained from interviews with industry executives and experts from prominent companies.

Water Treatment Chemicals Market Key Segmentation:

By Product Type:

• Coagulants & Flocculants
• Biocide & Disinfectant
• Defoamer & Defoaming Agent
• pH Adjuster & Softener
• Scale & Corrosion Inhibitor
• Others

By End-Use:

• Industrial
• Municipal
• Others

By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa

Geographic Coverage: North America Holds the Largest Revenue Share of Water Treatment Chemicals Market

Geographically, the water treatment chemicals market report comprises dedicated sections centering on the regional market revenue and trends. The market has been segmented on the basis of geographic regions into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). The RoW segment consists of Latin America and the Middle East & Africa. The market has been extensively analyzed on the basis of various regional factors such as demographics, gross domestic product (GDP), inflation rate, acceptance, and others. The market estimates have also been provided for the historical years along with forecasts for the period from 2025 – 2030.

Competitive Assessment

Some of the major market players operating in the global water treatment chemicals market are BASF SE (Germany), Ecolab Inc. (US), Solenis LLC (US), Akzo Nobel N.V. (Netherlands), and Kemira OYJ (Finland). Companies are exploring markets through expansion, new investment, the introduction of new services, and collaboration as their preferred strategies. Players are exploring new geography through expansion and acquisition to gain a competitive advantage through joint synergy.

Key Companies:

• BASF SE (Germany)
• Ecolab Inc. (US)
• Solenis LLC (US)
• Akzo Nobel N.V. (Netherlands)
• Kemira OYJ (Finland)
• Baker Hughes (US)
• Lonza (Switzerland)
• The Dow Chemical Company (US)
• Snf Floerger (France)
• Suez S.A. (France)

Key Questions Answered by Water Treatment Chemicals Market Report

• Global water treatment chemicals market forecasts from 2025-2030
• Regional water treatment chemicals market forecasts from 2025-2030 covering Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America
• Country-level forecasts from 2025-2030 covering 15 major countries from the aforementioned regions
• Water treatment chemicals submarket forecasts from 2025-2030 covering the market by product type, by end-use, and geography
• Various industry models such as SWOT analysis, Value Chain Analysis pertaining to the market
• Analysis of the key factors driving and restraining the growth of the global, regional, and country-level markets from 2025-2030
• Competitive Landscape and market positioning of top 10 players operating in the market