The global market of sludge treatment chemicals is estimated to be valued at around US$ 9,220.5 Million in 2022 and is further projected to reach US$ 14,456.8 Million by 2032. Sales in the sludge treatment chemicals market are anticipated to witness a considerable CAGR of 4.6% between 2022 and 2032.
Increasing consumption of flocculants, coagulants, disinfectants, anti foulant, and others for treating industrial and municipal waste is expected to push sales over the forecast period. Growth in the manufacturing sector across India, Brazil, and ASEAN countries will remain a key driving factor in the sludge treatment chemicals market.
Regionally, North America is predicted to remain a prominent market, accounting for a key share of the market. However, South Asia is expected to witness the fastest growth due to the industrial sector’s rapid expansion and rising focus on waste treatment. The sludge treatment chemicals market is expected to account for about 28 to 32% of the global water and wastewater treatment chemicals demand.
2015 to 2021 Sludge Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook Compared to 2022 to 2032 Forecast
As per Future Market Insights (FMI), the sales in the sludge treatment chemicals market increased at around 5.0% year-over-year growth between 2015 and 2021. Growth in the market is predicted to surge with increasing applications of sludge treatment chemicals in industrial and municipal sectors.
Demand for waste treatment chemicals is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% over the forecast period. The growing adoption of industrial sludge chemicals is one of the key factors boosting sales in the market. About 40% of the sludge produced globally comes from industrial sludge.
Growing focus on water conservation activities by municipal corporations, industrial bodies, and other government & environmental associations is driving the demand. Further, the use of diverse multifunctional chemicals such as copolymers of AETAC, which can perform functions by coagulating and flocculating with high molecular weight will improve the growth.
Moreover, the need for eco-friendly formulations in industrial sectors to reduce the wastage of toxic chemicals is aiding the growth of the sludge treatment chemicals market. The increasing number of industries in emerging economies of Asia and the Middle East will result in improved sludge production across the industrial sector.
The waste produced could not be directly dumped in water bodies or on land. Due to the stringent government regulations, companies are striving to decrease the toxicity in the industrial sludge thus boosting the demand in the sludge treatment chemicals market.
Hence, several governments have established various standards for the treated sewage sludge (including pathogen limits and land application rates) that could be applied to agricultural soils. It has also been made mandatory for the commercial sector to inculcate sustainable development as a part of the corporate plan.
For instance, in Japan surcharges are applied to industries and municipal water treatment plants if the wastewater contains 200 mg/L or 300 mg/L of BOD or COD respectively. Furthermore, the paper and pulp industry in the USA alone produced 8.1 million gallons of sludge per day and 9.7 million gallons of sludge per day in the European Union. While the food and beverage industry produced 5.5 million gallons of sludge per day in the USA and 5.8 million gallons of sludge in Europe.
On the back of these aforementioned factors, the demand in the sludge treatment chemicals market is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 14,456.8 Million by 2032, with sales predicted to nearly double by the assessment period (2022 to 2032).
What are the Key Opportunities in the Sludge Treatment Chemicals Market?
Need to Minimize Waste Generation and Adoption of Waste Water Treatment Chemicals to Fuel Growth
Demand for industrial waste treatment chemicals is witnessing a significant growth outlook, especially in developing countries due to growing development in the industrial sector. Growing investments in the manufacturing sector and an increase in foreign direct investment will also trigger the demand in the sludge treatment chemicals market.
Moreover, increasingly stringent regulations by regional authorities to minimize waste generation is pushing the adoption of wastewater treatment chemicals. The amount of fresh water available on the earth’s surface is limited and 60% of the open fresh water is unevenly distributed across some countries.
As a result, numerous countries in the Middle East and Asia Pacific are facing water scarcity problems. Such economies are the key areas with the utmost need for methods to reuse and recycle wastewater hence the highest opportunity areas for sludge treatment chemicals. As per the UN-Water, around 2.3 billion people live in water-stressed countries and 1.42 billion people live in countries/regions of high water vulnerability.
What are the Factors Limiting the Sales in Sludge Treatment Chemicals Market?
The non-chemical methods such as filters and membranes are expected to grow at a faster rate than the use of chemicals, especially for municipal sludge treatment plants. As this technology is more hygienic and creates less pollution, the demand in the market might be hampered.
The use of a membrane bioreactor can eliminate the cost of tertiary treatment. Also, increased awareness and concern towards climate change and sustainable products may change preference for water treatment technologies with lower chemical consumption, limiting the growth in the sludge treatment chemicals market.
Country-wise Insights
What is the Demand Outlook for the USA Sludge Treatment Chemicals Market?
Increased Investment to Reduce Waste Treatment will Bolster Sales in the Sludge Treatment Chemicals Market
The sludge treatment chemicals market in the USA is influenced by growing investment in waste treatment, rapid industrialization, and development in the manufacturing sector in the USA Overall sales of sludge treatment chemicals in the USA are predicted to account for about 23.2% of the global market.
The substantial presence of diverse industries including pulp and paper, food and beverages, oil & gas, automotive, and others will propel the growth in the sludge treatment chemicals market. Furthermore, the establishment of waste treatment generated from houses and commercial places in the USA is anticipated to bolster the demand.
Competitive Landscape
The global sludge treatment chemicals market players are focusing on mergers and acquisition activities leading to industry consolidation. Most of the activities are undertaken by the key players in North America and Europe.
The industry is anticipated to be a fairly consolidated market and also experiencing the entry of new players. In 2015, approximately 20 new companies related to sludge treatment chemicals were registered across the Asia Pacific.
In 2019, Kemira Oyj sign a collaboration agreement for the treatment of sludge and water in Europe. The purpose of this partnership is to combine Valmet’s analyzer and measuring technology skills with Kemira’s excellent chemistry and intelligent performance optimization expertise in industrial and municipal water treatment.
