United Kingdom Air Quality Control Systems Market Overview, 2030

Air quality in the United Kingdom is critical for human health, environmental sustainability, and economic stability, as it is directly influenced by the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere. The Clean Air Act of 1993 plays a central role in controlling air pollution, which primarily originates from transportation, industrial activities, agriculture, and domestic heating. Pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can have severe health implications, including respiratory diseases (asthma, COPD), cardiovascular conditions (heart attacks, strokes), and an increased risk of certain cancers. These pollutants also compromise ecosystems, contributing to acid rain, water eutrophication, and harm to plant and animal life, which affect biodiversity and ecosystem services. While some pollutants, such as black carbon, contribute to global warming, others like ozone and its precursors, NOx and VOCs, directly influence atmospheric chemistry and climate change. Reports from institutions like the Royal College of Physicians and the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) have quantified the public health and economic burdens of air pollution. Poor air quality also incurs economic costs through reduced worker productivity, increased healthcare expenses, and damage to infrastructure. Major cities, such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool, typically experience worse air quality than rural areas, due to higher traffic congestion, industrial emissions, and population density, leading to elevated levels of NOx and particulate matter. This urbanization-related pollution significantly impacts both human health and environmental well-being across the UK.

According to the research report, United Kingdom Air Quality Country System Market Overview, 2030, published by Bonafide Research, the United Kingdom Air Quality Country System market is anticipated to add to more than USD 650 Million by 2025–30. The growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK, bolstered by government incentives and expanding charging infrastructure, aims to cut NOx and particulate matter emissions, especially in urban areas. Green building standards, such as BREEAM, promote energy-efficient construction, minimizing emissions from heating, cooling, and materials, enhancing urban air quality. Though still emerging, carbon capture technologies are being explored for large industrial emitters to capture CO2, indirectly improving air quality by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The UK's commitment to renewable energy, including offshore wind, solar, and tidal power, plays a critical role in decarbonizing the energy sector and curbing pollutants tied to fossil fuel-based electricity generation. In cities like London, the implementation of the Congestion Charge, Low Emission Zone (LEZ), and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has significantly reduced the use of older, more polluting vehicles, leading to lower NOx and particulate matter concentrations. Similarly, Birmingham and Manchester have introduced Clean Air Zones (CAZs), with noticeable improvements in air quality. Public awareness campaigns have fostered shifts toward cleaner transportation and reduced domestic burning. Smart city technologies focusing on traffic flow optimization, active travel, and efficient energy management will further curb emissions in urban areas. Advances in battery technology, charging infrastructure, and sustainable aviation fuels are set to accelerate the transition to cleaner transportation across multiple sectors, promising further air quality enhancements.

Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) are employed in the UK primarily for removing particulate matter from power plants, waste incineration facilities, and some industrial processes. The market focuses on increasing efficiency and adapting to diverse particle sizes and compositions. Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) technologies are essential for reducing sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, mainly from coal-fired power stations though their prevalence is decreasing with the UK's shift away from coa). The focus is on optimizing existing wet scrubbing systems and exploring dry methods for broader industrial application. Scrubbers (Wet & Dry) are used across various UK industries, including chemical processing and waste treatment, to remove acid gases and particulate matter. The market emphasizes efficient designs and minimizing liquid waste from wet scrubbers. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) is a key technology for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from power plants, industrial boilers, and increasingly in diesel vehicles, driven by stringent emission standards. The market demands durable and effective catalysts. Fabric Filters (Baghouses) are widely used in industries like cement, steel, and biomass power generation in the UK for high-efficiency removal of fine particulate matter. The market requires robust filter materials suitable for harsh operating conditions. Catalytic Converters are a mature technology heavily used in petrol and diesel vehicles in the UK to control carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides, driven by European emission standards. The market is expected to evolve with the increasing adoption of electric vehicles. Thermal Oxidizers are used in industries such as chemical manufacturing and printing in the UK to control volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), with regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs) favored for energy efficiency.

The application of air quality control technologies in the UK is critical across various sectors. Power generation, while transitioning away from coal, still requires robust solutions like ESPs, FGD, and SCR for existing thermal plants to minimize particulate matter, SO2, and NOx emissions. The cement industry in the UK relies heavily on baghouses for controlling dust emissions from kilns and scrubbers for managing acid gases released during production. The automotive sector, though facing a shift towards electrification, currently utilizes catalytic converters extensively in internal combustion engine vehicles to reduce harmful exhaust emissions, with a growing focus on particulate filters for diesel vehicles. The chemical & petrochemical industry in the UK employs a range of technologies, including scrubbers and thermal oxidizers, to manage diverse gaseous pollutants and volatile organic compounds generated during chemical processes. Metal processing & mining operations utilize fabric filters and ESPs to capture dust and particulate matter produced from various metallurgical and extraction activities. The pharmaceuticals sector in the UK demands high-efficiency filtration systems, including HEPA filters, and VOC control technologies to maintain stringent air purity standards in manufacturing environments. Other sectors, such as food processing and pulp & paper, implement specific air quality control measures tailored to their unique emissions, addressing concerns like dust, odors, and process-specific air contaminants.

The indoor air quality segment focuses on creating healthy and comfortable environments within buildings. This includes a range of products such as advanced HVAC filtration systems that remove particulate matter, allergens, and gaseous pollutants; stand-alone air purifiers utilizing technologies like HEPA filtration, activated carbon, and UV-C light; and air quality monitors that track levels of various indoor contaminants, including VOCs, humidity, and carbon dioxide. Demand in this segment is increasing across residential, commercial, and public sectors due to growing awareness of the health impacts of indoor air pollution, stricter building regulations, and a focus on well-being and productivity in workplaces. The ambient air quality segment addresses pollution in the outdoor environment. This market encompasses extensive networks of air quality monitoring stations that measure concentrations of key pollutants like PM2.5, NOx, SO2, and ozone in urban, rural, and industrial areas across the UK. Industrial emission control technologies are a crucial part of this segment, including ESPs, FGD, SCR, and baghouses used to reduce emissions from power plants, factories, and waste treatment facilities. Additionally, this segment includes technologies aimed at reducing emissions from transportation, although the long-term focus is increasingly on the transition to electric vehicles. Urban planning initiatives, such as green infrastructure and low emission zones, also contribute to improving ambient air quality.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Air Quality Control System Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Technology
• Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP)
• Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD)
• Scrubbers (Wet & Dry)
• Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)
• Fabric Filters (Baghouses)
• Catalytic Converters
• Thermal Oxidizers
• Others (Mercury Control Systems, Hybrid Systems)

By Application
• Power Generation
• Cement Industry
• Automotive
• Chemical & Petrochemical
• Metal Processing & Mining
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others (Food processing, Pulp & Paper)

By Product type
• Indoor
• Ambient

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to agriculture industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.