Sludge Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

The global sludge treatment chemicals market is estimated to be valued at around USD 9,561.7 million in 2023 and is further projected to reach USD 14,456.8 million by 2033. Sales in the market are anticipated to witness a considerable CAGR of 4.6% between 2023 and 2033.

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 remains a key driving factor in the sludge treatment chemicals sector.

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 leading growth due to the industrial sector's rapid expansion and rising focus on waste treatment. The market is expected to account for about 28 to 32% of the global water and wastewater treatment chemicals demand.

Attributes Details
Sludge Treatment Chemicals Market CAGR (2023 to 2033) 4.6%
Sludge Treatment Chemicals Market Size (2023) USD 9,561.7 million
Sludge Treatment Chemicals Market Size (2033) USD 14,456.8 million

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2018 to 2022 Sludge Treatment Chemicals Industry Outlook Compared to 2023 to 2033 Forecast

As per Future Market Insights (FMI), the sales in the sludge treatment chemicals business increased at around 5.0% year-over-year growth between 2018 and 2022. 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 expand 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 perform functions by coagulating and flocculating with high molecular weight improves 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 market. The increasing number of industries in emerging economies of Asia and the Middle East resulted in improved sludge production across the industrial sector.

The waste produced is not 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 sector.

Hence, several governments have established various standards for the treated sewage sludge (including pathogen limits and land application rates) that is 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 business is expected to reach a valuation of USD 14,456.8 Million by 2033, with sales predicted to nearly double by the assessment period.

What are the Key Opportunities in the Sludge Treatment Chemicals Industry?

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 also trigger the demand in the sludge treatment chemicals sector.

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 leading opportunity areas for sludge treatment chemicals. As per the UN-Water, around 2,300 million people live in water-stressed countries and 1,420 million people live in countries/regions of high water vulnerability.

Nikhil Kaitwade
Nikhil Kaitwade

Principal Consultant

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What are the Factors Limiting the Sales in Sludge Treatment Chemicals Industry?

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 is likely to be hampered.

The use of a membrane bioreactor eliminates the cost of tertiary treatment. Also, increased awareness and concern towards climate change and sustainable products change the preference for water treatment technologies with lower chemical consumption, limiting the growth in the market.

Country-wise Insights

Countries Market Share (2023)
United States 16.1%
Germany 6.5%
Japan 3.5%
Australia 0.9%

What is the Demand Outlook for the United States Sludge Treatment Chemicals Industry?

The sludge treatment chemicals sector in the United States is influenced by growing investment in waste treatment, rapid industrialization, and development in the manufacturing sector in the United States. Overall sales of sludge treatment chemicals in the United States 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 propel the growth in the sludge treatment chemicals industry. Furthermore, the establishment of waste treatment generated from houses and commercial places in the United States is anticipated to bolster the demand.

How Big Is the Opportunity in the India Sludge Treatment Chemicals Business?

As per the study, the development in the manufacturing sector and increased spending on municipal waste treatment are the factors driving the demand in the market. An increase in investments by overseas players in the industrial sector in India is also expected to boost sales.

To reduce waste discharge, stringent regulations in the country by the government boost the adoption of sludge treatment chemicals in the market. On the back of these factors, the demand for sludge treatment chemicals is estimated to surge at 4.7% CAGR over the forecast period.

Further, the rising application of sludge treatment chemicals in the oil & gas and paper industry is driving the adoption in India. As a lot of paper waste is produced in India from the paper & pulp industry, the need for eco-friendly and sustainable chemicals is expected to surge, fueling the market growth.

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Category-wise Outlook

Segment Product Type
Top Sub-segment Flocculants
Market Share (2023) 61.4%Industrial
Segment Application
Top Sub-segment Industrial
Market Share (2023) 45.8%

Which is the Most Preferred Product in the Sludge Treatment Chemicals Industry?

Based on product type, the flocculant segment is expected to dominate the global market accounting for about 61.4% of the market share. Flocculants are added to increase the efficiency of the clarification, filtration, and centrifugation process.

Growing demand for wastewater treatment from diverse sectors including food & beverage, oil & gas, chemicals, and others are bolstering the demand for flocculants. Moreover, growth in wastewater treatment releases from domestic streams is also boosting the sales of flocculants.

Which is the Leading Application in Sludge Treatment Chemicals Market?

In terms of application, the industrial sector segment is segmented in paper & pulp, food & beverage, oil & gas, metal processing industry, chemical & fertilizer industry, and automotive among others. The industrial sector is expected to account for 45.8% of the global sludge treatment chemicals market.

Demand for this category of chemicals has been predominantly influenced by wastewater and sludge production from food and beverages, chemicals, paper and pulp, and other industries. Growth in the manufacturing sector results in higher demand for sludge treatment chemicals owing to increasing waste stream treatment before discharge regulations in these countries.

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 signed 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.
  • In April 2021, Suez and Dijon Metropole formed a joint venture to create Odivea, a multi-service firm that provides public wastewater services in France.

Key players

  • BASF SE
  • Chembond Chemicals Limited
  • GE Water and Process Technologies
  • Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
  • Ion Exchange
  • Kemira Oyj
  • AkzoNobel N.V.
  • Solenis
  • Thermax Ltd.
  • Veolia Water Technologies
  • Accepta Advanced Environmental Technologies
  • Hubbard-Hall Inc
  • Beckart Environmental
  • Ecolab Incorporated

Key Segments

By Product Type:

  • Flocculant
    • Cationic
    • Anionic
  • Coagulant
    • Organic
    • Inorganic
  • Disinfectant
  • Anti Foulant
  • Anti Foamer
  • Activated Carbon

By Treatment:

  • Primary
  • Tertiary

By Application:

  • Industrial
    • Paper and Pulp
    • Food and Beverage
    • Oil & gas
    • Metal Processing Industry
    • Chemical and Fertilizer
    • Automotive
    • Others
  • Municipal

By Region:

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • East Asia
  • Europe
  • South Asia & Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa (MEA)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the market's CAGR for growth?

Through 2033, the market is projected to develop at a CAGR of 4.6%.

How big is the sludge treatment chemicals market expected to be in 2033?

By 2033, the industry is to have expanded to USD 14,456.8 million.

What is the current market value?

In 2023, the sludge treatment chemicals market to reach a worth of USD 9,561.7 million.

How did the market perform previously?

Between 2018 and 2022, sales in the sludge treatment chemicals market surged at a 5.0% year-on-year rate.

What is the demand outlook for sludge treatment chemicals in the United States?

The United States is expected to account for around 23.2% of the global market.

Table of Content
  • 1. Executive Summary
  • 2. Market Overview
  • 3. Market Background
  • 4. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast, 2023 to 2033
  • 5. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Product Type
    • 5.1. Flocculant
      • 5.1.1. Cationic
      • 5.1.2. Anionic
    • 5.2. Coagulant
      • 5.2.1. Organic
      • 5.2.2. Inorganic
    • 5.3. Disinfectant
    • 5.4. Anti Foulant
    • 5.5. Anti Foamer
    • 5.6. Activated Carbon
  • 6. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Treatment
    • 6.1. Primary
    • 6.2. Tertiary
  • 7. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Application
    • 7.1. Industrial
      • 7.1.1. Paper and Pulp
      • 7.1.2. Food and Beverage
      • 7.1.3. Oil & Gas
      • 7.1.4. Metal Processing Industry
      • 7.1.5. Chemical and Fertilizer
      • 7.1.6. Automotive
      • 7.1.7. Others
    • 7.2. Municipal
  • 8. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Region
    • 8.1. North America
    • 8.2. Latin America
    • 8.3. Western Europe
    • 8.4. Eastern Europe
    • 8.5. South Asia and Pacific
    • 8.6. East Asia
    • 8.7. Middle East and Africa
  • 9. North America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
  • 10. Latin America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
  • 11. Western Europe Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
  • 12. Eastern Europe Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
  • 13. South Asia and Pacific Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
  • 14. East Asia Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
  • 15. Middle East and Africa Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
  • 16. Key Countries Market Analysis
  • 17. Market Structure Analysis
  • 18. Competition Analysis
    • 18.1. BASF SE
    • 18.2. Chembond Chemicals Limited
    • 18.3. GE Water and Process Technologies
    • 18.4. Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
    • 18.5. Ion Exchange
    • 18.6. Kemira Oyj
    • 18.7. AkzoNobel N.V.
    • 18.8. Solenis
    • 18.9. Thermax Ltd.
    • 18.10. Veolia Water Technologies
    • 18.11. Accepta Advanced Environmental Technologies
    • 18.12. Hubbard-Hall Inc
    • 18.13. Beckart Environmental
    • 18.14. Ecolab Incorporated
  • 19. Assumptions & Acronyms Used
  • 20. Research Methodology
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