Chemicals, Materials & Food


North American Industrial Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals Markets

This research service analyzes the North American chemicals market for industrial water treatment by covering five core segments: coagulants and flocculants, corrosion and scale inhibitors, biocides and disinfectants, defoamers and anti-foaming agents, and pH adjustment chemicals. The key drivers and restraints related to the total market have been detailed in this study, and unit shipments and revenue forecasts have been given for each chemical segment. End industry penetration for each of these segments is also given, while the competitive landscape has been given in detail for each segment.
Published: 18 May 2012

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled North American Industrial Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals Markets provides an in-depth analysis of different product segments. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following segments: coagulants and flocculants, corrosion and scale inhibitors, biocides and disinfectants, defoamers and anti-foaming agents, and pH adjustment chemicals.

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Market Overview

Treatment Chemicals’ Cost effectiveness Keeps them in the Fray in the North American Water and Wastewater Sector

Domestic Manufacturers Need to Exploit their Knowledge of the Local Conditions to Stand out in a Commodity Market

The North American industrial water and wastewater treatment chemicals market has always been a fragmented area, with both global and regional participants vying for space. To stay afloat in this market, participants have gradually evolved from merely supplying chemicals to providing a more integrated solution that includes services and equipment. Despite the emergence of alternative modes of water treatment, chemicals will continue to dominate the landscape due to its cost effectiveness. “The lower cost and higher performance of chemicals place them at par with the best available technology for treating water,” says the analyst of this research. “The present economic conditions in North America are not conducive for industries to invest heavily in equipment or infrastructure. Meanwhile, the increasing stringency of environmental laws and regulations are further intensifying the demand for treatment chemicals. With freshwater resources depleting and governments stressing the need to conserve and reuse water in industrial processes, end users are turning to treatment chemicals.

The market’s potential has attracted numerous participants, escalating competition not only among chemical manufacturers, but also among various value chain participants that sell solutions. Consequently, some segments in the market have become commoditized, placing pressure on companies to reduce prices to meet customer expectations. Considering the price sensitivity of the market at present and depressed demand, low-cost imports from Asia also pose a threat to the local manufacturing base in certain segments. “Companies have to increasingly focus on differentiating themselves through product development and innovation in niche segments rather than compete on price,” notes the analyst. “To maintain their dominance, domestic manufacturers need to leverage their advantages such as product quality, strong R&D capability, broader product line, superior customer service, and long-term partnerships with service companies.”

Market Sectors

Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:

  • Coagulants and flocculants
  • Corrosion and scale inhibitors
  • Biocides and disinfectants
  • Defoamers and anti-foaming agents
  • pH adjustment chemicals

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Features of this Research

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