By Type (Flocculants, Coagulants, Corrosion Inhibitors, pH Adjusters & Softeners, and Others), By End Use, and By Region -Market Forecast, 2025 - 2034
The global water treatment chemicals market size was valued at USD 34.53 billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.88% during 2025 to 2034. Key factors driving demand for water treatment chemicals include rapid industrialization and urbanization, increasing water scarcity, and stringent environmental regulations.

To Understand More About this Research:Request a Free Sample Report
Water treatment chemicals adjust pH, remove contaminants, and disinfect. These chemicals include a broad range of substances. Water treatment plant operators use these substances in filtration or sedimentation to clump suspended particles together. These chemicals eliminate pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, to ensure safe drinking water or process water. The growing demand for safe and freshwater for residential applications has increased the requirement for water treatment chemicals. Different chemicals are used during water treatment. These chemicals include flocculants, corrosion inhibitors, coagulants, biocides & disinfectants, and deforming agents, among others.
These chemicals remove minerals, solids, algae, and other microbes during the treatment process. Growing urbanization and economic development have increased the demand for clean water treatment chemicals across the globe. Rising environmental regulations, scarcity of freshwater resources, and growth in industrial water consumption have increased the adoption of water treatment chemicals. The different kinds of corrosion inhibitors include precipitation-inducing inhibitors, passivity inhibitors, cathodic inhibitors, organic inhibitors, and volatile corrosion inhibitors.
Growth Drivers
Economic growth in developing countries, rising industrialization, and declining water reserves have resulted in greater demand for water treatment chemicals. Industries such as oil and gas, power generation, mining, and paper and pulp, are heavily adoptiong water treatment chemicals. The growing population and increasing focus on river cleaning programs, especially in emerging nations such as India is propelling the demand for water treatment chemicals. The growing diseases due to poor water quality is also encouraging municipalities to use these chemicals. Moreover, technological advancements and initiatives & regulations introduced by governments have strengthened the water treatment chemical market.
The government and private organizations are imposing stringent regulations on the water treatment chemicals market. The evolving regulatory landscape across the world is attributed to increasing environmental concerns and public health priorities. Further, there is an increasing focus on industrial compliance. The regulations and standards vary as per the water applications and regions. The following table includes key regulations and standards influencing the industry:
|
Region/Country |
Regulatory Authority/Law |
Key Points |
Impact on Water Treatment Chemicals Market |
|
U.S. |
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Effluent Guidelines |
Sets limits on the discharge of industrial wastewater under the Clean Water Act |
Fuels the demand for advanced water treatment chemicals to adhere to discharge standards |
|
EPA – PFAS Regulations |
Puts limits on PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) in drinking water |
Accelerates the development of PFAS removal chemicals and technologies |
|
|
European Union (EU) |
EU Water Framework Directive |
Aims for “good water status” in surface and groundwater |
Promotion of sustainable water treatment practices |
|
REACH Regulation |
Requires registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals |
Ensures compliance with safety and environmental standards |
|
|
France |
PFAS Legislation |
Ban on the manufacturing, imports, and sale of PFAS-containing products starting in 2026 |
Drives demand for PFAS-free water treatment chemicals |
|
India |
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) – BIS IS 10500:2012 |
Quality standards on drinking water defining permissible chemical limits |
Provides guidance on the selection of safe and effective water treatment chemicals |
|
CPCB – Effluent Discharge Standards (Water Act 1974) |
Regulates industrial effluent discharge |
Requires the use of compliant treatment chemicals in industrial applications |
|
|
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) |
Implement and monitor water quality and water treatment chemical use |
Enforces adherence at the regional and state levels |
|
|
Chemicals (Management & Safety) Rules |
Align with international chemical safety standards (similar to EU REACH) |
Promotes registration of water treatment chemicals and safer chemical use |
Manufacturers focus on innovating and developing efficient and eco-friendly water treatment chemicals to comply with these stringent regulatory standards. Further, the regulatory landscape varies across regions, necessitating customized approaches to market strategies and compliance in different jurisdictions. Thus, upsurging demand for sustainable and compliant water treatment chemicals across various sectors propel the industry expansion.

The market is primarily segmented on the basis of type, end use, and region.
|
By Type |
By End Use |
By Region |
|
|
|
Know more about this report: request for sample pages
Based on type, the market is segmented into flocculants, coagulants, corrosion inhibitors, pH adjusters & softeners, and others. The coagulants segment held the largest revenue share in 2024, due to its ability in removing suspended solids, organic matter, and pollutants from contaminated water sourcesis. Coagulants are added to the solution to accomplish charge neutralization. Governments strict regulations and water quality standards further contributed to the segment's dominance.

The end use industry segment has been divided into municipal, industrial, and others. The industrial segment dominated the global market in 2024 due to water treatment needs in industries such as chemical, food and beverages, mining, power, and paper and pulp, among others. The increasing industrialization in developing countries and the introduction of stringent safety regulations further supported the segment's growth. High wastewater generation from industrial sectors, scarcity of clean water, and technological advancements in the development of efficient treatment processes, contributed to segment's major revenue share.
Asia Pacific dominated the global water treatment chemicals market in 2024. The industrial growth in countries such as China, India, and Japan and the growing population drove this region's growth. Increasing urbanization, expansion of international players in this region, and technological advancements are some of the other factors attributed to the region's dominance. Rising environmental concerns and stringent regulations regarding the treatment of water in developing countries of this regin offered a lucrative opportunities for the market.
The market in North America is growing at a rapid CAGR. This is attributed to the stringent environmental regulations, urbanization and population growth, and aging infrastructure. The high awarness about water-borne disease in the region is also leading to adoption of water treatment chemicals. The presence of high numbers of swimming pools and traning centers in the region are further propellin the demand for water treatment chemicals. Moreover, high government spending on people's health in the region is leading to the demand for water cure chemicals.

The leading players in the water treatment chemicals market include Akzo Nobel N.V., Aries Chemical, Inc. Baker Hughes Company, BASF SE, BAUMINAS Group, Buckman, Cortec Corporation, Dorf Ketal Chemicals, Dow, Ecolab, Evoqua Water Technologies LLC, Feralco AB, Geo Specialty Chemicals, Inc., Green Water Treatment Solutions, Italmatch Chemical S.p.A, Kemira, Kurita Europe GmbH, LANXESS, Lonza, SNF CHINA FLOCCULANT CO., LTD., Solenis, Somicon ME FZC, and Suez S.A. These players are expanding their presence across various geographies and entering new markets in developing regions to expand their customer base and strengthen their presence in the market. The companies are also introducing new innovative products in the market to cater to the growing consumer demands.
April 2024, Thermax announced the opening of its new manufacturing facility in Pune for water and wastewater treatment solutions.
|
Report Attributes |
Details |
|
Market size value in 2024 |
USD 34.53 billion |
| Market size value in 2025 | USD 35.80 billion |
|
Revenue forecast in 2034 |
USD 50.43 billion |
|
CAGR |
3.88% from 2025 - 2034 |
|
Base year |
2024 |
|
Historical data |
2020 - 2023 |
|
Forecast period |
2025 - 2034 |
|
Quantitative units |
Revenue in USD Billion and CAGR from 2025 to 2034 |
|
Segments covered |
|
|
Regional scope |
|
|
Key Companies |
Akzo Nobel N.V., Aries Chemical, Inc. Baker Hughes Company, BASF SE, BAUMINAS Group, Buckman, Cortec Corporation, Dorf Ketal Chemicals, Dow, Ecolab, Evoqua Water Technologies LLC, Feralco AB, Geo Specialty Chemicals, Inc., Green Water Treatment Solutions, Italmatch Chemical S.p.A, Kemira, Kurita Europe GmbH, LANXESS, Lonza, SNF CHINA FLOCCULANT CO., LTD., Solenis, Somicon ME FZC, and Suez S.A. |
• The global market size was valued at USD 34.53 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 50.43 billion by 2034.
• The global market is projected to register a CAGR of 3.88% during the forecast period.
• Asia Pacific dominated the market in 2024
• A few of the key players in the market are Akzo Nobel N.V., Aries Chemical, Inc. Baker Hughes Company, BASF SE, BAUMINAS Group, Buckman, Cortec Corporation, Dorf Ketal Chemicals, Dow, Ecolab, Evoqua Water Technologies LLC, Feralco AB, Geo Specialty Chemicals, Inc., Green Water Treatment Solutions, Italmatch Chemical S.p.A, Kemira, Kurita Europe GmbH, LANXESS, Lonza, SNF CHINA FLOCCULANT CO., LTD., Solenis, Somicon ME FZC, and Suez S.A.
• The coagulants segment dominated the market revenue share in 2024.