A long-term increase in the demand for water and wastewater treatment chemicals is expected over the next 10-15 years. This is largely owing to new regulations for maximum limits of pollutants which are being passed being passed globally.

Between 2013 and 2018, the global water and wastewater treatment chemicals market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of around 4.5%. According to a new report titled Global Water & Wastewater Treatment Chemicals Market Forecast & Opportunities 2018, this is the result of growing usage of water in end user industries and stringent water treatment regulations across the globe. In addition improvements of health and sanitation standards in emerging markets are also major drivers for the growth in the market – the inadequate water supplies to approximately 2.5 billion people, largely from Asia and Africa, is gradually being addressed with the establishment of water treatment facilities.

The growth of membrane chemicals like antiscalants, antifoulants and other cleaning chemicals has been fuelled by growing desalination trends in water scarce regions such as the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Meanwhile biodegradable and nanotechnology based chemicals have increased the usage of high performance water treatment chemicals, particularly in the developed markets of North America and Europe.