Report Overview

An increasing demand for chemically treated water in various industries and growing urban areas and population across the country are projected to propel the expansion of the Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market during the forecast period between 2023 and 2029.

Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market - Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2029

Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market size was estimated at USD 441 million in 2022. During the forecast period between 2023 and 2029, the size of Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.18% reaching a value of USD 532 million by 2029. Major growth drivers for the Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market include a growing need for water treatment chemicals among consumers. Also, the Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market experiences notable expansion due to the substantial demand for purified water in various industries such as oil & gas, power plants, mining, pulp & paper, and chemical processing. Government-imposed stringent water quality regulations are a crucial driver, ensuring compliance and adherence to specified standards for water treatment chemicals. The growing population and urbanization contribute to an increased demand for water, necessitating efficient treatment processes. The expansion of industries, including manufacturing, mining, and energy, intensifies the demand for water treatment chemicals to maintain high-quality water for various processes. Simultaneously, environmental concerns are propelling the adoption of advanced and eco-friendly water treatment solutions. Additionally, significant investments in water infrastructure projects, both public and private, play a pivotal role in shaping the Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market. The country's challenges related to water scarcity and drought conditions further underscore the importance of effective water treatment to maximize available resources.

Water Treatment Chemicals – Overview

Water treatment constitutes any process aimed at enhancing water quality to meet specific user requirements. Common chemicals used for water treatment include coagulants, flocculants, disinfectants, pH adjusters, and corrosion inhibitors. While water has the capacity to dissolve a wide range of substances, certain materials remain insoluble. Inorganic particles like clay, fine sand, dust, and rust contribute to water cloudiness by elevating the concentration of total suspended solids (TSS). Coagulants and flocculants help in the removal of suspended particles by causing them to clump together, facilitating easier filtration. Disinfectants, such as chlorine or ozone, are essential for destroying harmful microorganisms and preventing waterborne diseases. pH adjusters maintain the water's acidity or alkalinity within acceptable limits, ensuring it is not corrosive or scaling. Corrosion inhibitors protect pipes and infrastructure from degradation caused by aggressive water chemistry. The ultimate applications encompass drinking, irrigation, river flow maintenance, water recreation, or other purposes, including environmentally safe disposal. The methodologies employed for water treatment to decrease TSS to levels acceptable for end users vary based on geographical factors, intended applications, and the initial TSS concentration.

Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market

Growth Drivers

Increasing Demand for Chemically Treated Water in Various Industries

The increasing gap between water supply and demand underscores the importance of efficient water recycling, achievable through the application of water treatment chemicals. The demand for fresh and clean water has experienced significant growth in Australia, primarily driven by increased industrial activities. The treatment of water waste, employing both chemical and physical purification methods, incurs varying operating costs. For instance, processes like coagulation, flocculation, and disinfection prove to be more cost-effective than UV and RO treatment, particularly in large-scale water treatment plants. Notably, companies like MAK Water in Australia are offering a range of products, including gross pollutant traps (GPT) and oil/water separators (OWS), tailored for applications such as trade waste, desalination, water recycling, and water harvesting, aiming to achieve optimal market penetration. Additionally, factors like the exploration and development of new oil fields are anticipated to further bolster market growth in the forecast period.

Restraints

Availability of Alternative Water Treatment Technologies

The primary focus of R&D centers for leading water treatment companies in Australia lies in membrane research, with a recent emphasis on nano-engineered composite membranes as an innovative addition to membrane technology. In the realm of industrial water treatment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Small System Compliance Technology (SSCT) have identified Reverse Osmosis (RO) as the most effective technology available. RO demonstrates the capability to eliminate up to 99% of dissolved pollutants from water. Notably, in compliance with new EPA standards, UV disinfection is favored over chlorine-based biocides due to its utilization of a physical mechanism for rapidly inactivating potentially harmful microorganisms. The adoption of such alternative technologies could impact the growth of Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market.

Impact of COVID-19 on Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market

COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market. It led to disruptions due to resource shortages, a lack of human resources, and various constraints that impeded industry expansion. Despite these challenges, the market exhibited signs of recovery in 2021 and is expected to undergo substantial growth during the forecast period. Short-term factors driving market growth include increasing ground and surface water pollution, rising demand from power and industrial applications, and government initiatives for reliable wastewater management. Also, the market found new opportunities through a shift toward green chemicals, aligning with a growing focus on environmentally friendly solutions.

Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market

Segmental Coverage

Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market – By Product Type

Based on product type, the Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market is divided into Biocides & Disinfectants, Coagulants & Flocculants, Corrosion & Scale Inhibitors, Defoamers & Defoaming Agents, and pH Conditioners/Adjusters segments. The corrosion & scale inhibitors segment holds the highest share in the Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market by product type. Corrosion inhibitors play a vital role in addressing corrosion issues in boilers, preventing the formation of oxides caused by oxygen reacting with metallic parts. These inhibitors create a protective layer over exposed boiler components, reducing energy and maintenance costs. Various types of corrosion inhibitors, such as condensate line inhibitors, DEHA, polyamine, morpholine, cyclohexylamine, and carbon dioxide inhibitors, are utilized in water boilers. In cooling water treatments, these inhibitors are essential to prevent critical system failures. The oil and gas industry heavily relies on corrosion inhibitors to maintain equipment integrity and prevent failures in wells, pipelines, tanks, and compressors. Additionally, the demand for corrosion inhibitors is fueled by the need to combat scale formation caused by calcium and magnesium chemicals in water. The recovery of the oil and gas industry is expected to contribute to the growth of the market.

Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market – By Source

Based on source, the Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market is bifurcated into Synthetic and Bio-based segments.

Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market – By End User

On the basis of end user, the Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market is divided into Residential, Commercial, and Industrial segments. The residential segment holds the highest share in the Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market by end user. The increasing demand for processed drinking water, driven by water scarcity, population growth, and rising water needs, fuels the growth of Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market. Municipal wastewater, encompassing drainage from households and industrial sources, requires treatment to prevent environmental harm and disease spread. Diverse treatment technologies, including preliminary, primary & secondary treatment, biological nutrient removal, and energy generation, play crucial roles. Australia's National Water Grid Fund, a USD 2.5 billion 10-year initiative, supports water infrastructure investments, with an annual spending of approximately USD 6 billion. Despite being the driest inhabited continent, Australia faces high water consumption due to a population surge. Municipal water utilities, serving 94% of the population, contribute significantly to the market, driven by the country's unique water challenges and ongoing infrastructure investments.

Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in the Australia Water Treatment Chemicals Market include Albemarle Corporation, Aquasol, Buckman, Coogee, Dow, Ecolab, IWTS Group Pty Ltd, Ixom, and Kemira Oyj. To further enhance their market share, these companies employ various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, license agreements, and new product launches.

Scope of the Report

By Product Type

• Biocides & Disinfectants  

• Coagulants & Flocculants  

• Corrosion & Scale Inhibitors  

• Defoamers & Defoaming Agents  

• pH Conditioners/Adjusters  

By Source

• Synthetic

• Bio-based

By End User

• Industrial

• Commercial

• Residential