India Water Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook to 2028

India Water Treatment Chemicals Market Overview

The India water treatment chemicals market is valued at USD 622 million, driven primarily by the rising demand for clean water across urban and rural areas. The water treatment industry is propelled by government initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide piped water to households, and by the increasing requirement for effective water management systems in industrial sectors.

Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Ahmedabad are dominant in the market. These cities have large industrial sectorstextiles, food processing, and petrochemicalswhere water treatment is a critical requirement. The growth in these regions is also influenced by water scarcity issues and government regulations mandating stricter controls on water usage and effluent discharge.

The Indian government has committed substantial resources towards cleaning the Ganga River under the National Mission for Clean Ganga. As of 2024, the NMCG has allocated INR 20,000 crores to enhance sewage treatment capacity, targeting the treatment of over 3 billion liters of wastewater per day by 2025. This has led to a surge in demand for water treatment chemicals, particularly in the municipal wastewater treatment sector.

India Water Treatment Chemicals Market Segmentation

By Product Type: The market is segmented by product type into coagulants & flocculants, biocides & disinfectants, corrosion & scale inhibitors, and p H adjusters & softeners. Coagulants & flocculants have emerged as the dominant segment due to their extensive use in both industrial and municipal water treatment. These chemicals are critical for solid-liquid separation processes, especially in industries like textiles, paper, and food & beverages, where large volumes of wastewater are generated.

By End-Use Industry: The market is segmented by end-use industry into municipal water treatment, power generation, oil & gas, food & beverage, and textiles & paper. The municipal water treatment sector dominates due to the rising demand for safe drinking water and effective wastewater management. Government-backed initiatives for clean water supply and enhanced sanitation facilities across urban and rural regions are further boosting the need for water treatment chemicals.

India Water Treatment Chemicals Market Competitive Landscape

The market is moderately consolidated, with key players holding market shares due to their wide product offerings and strong distribution networks. The market is dominated by both domestic companies and global firms operating through subsidiaries or joint ventures.

Company Name

Established Year

Headquarters

No. of Employees

Revenue (INR Bn)

Product Portfolio

Geographic Reach

Key Clients

Ion Exchange India Ltd.

1964

Mumbai, India

Thermax Limited

1980

Pune, India

GE Water & Process Technologies

2002

New York, USA

SUEZ Water Technologies

2000

Paris, France

Pentair Plc

1966

London, UK

India Water Treatment Chemicals Market Analysis

Market Growth Drivers

Government Push for Clean Drinking Water Initiatives: The Indian government has increased its investment in water treatment as part of its clean water initiatives, including the Jal Jeevan Mission. The mission aims to provide piped water to every rural household by 2024. The government has allocated over INR 3.6 trillion for water supply schemes, creating opportunities for the water treatment chemicals market to cater to both municipal and rural projects aimed at water purification and ensuring potable water standards.

Rise in Demand for Desalination Projects: India is increasingly turning to desalination to meet its growing water demands, especially in coastal areas. Tamil Nadu has already planned desalination plants capable of treating 1.2 billion liters of seawater per day by 2026. The high volume of saline water treatment increases the demand for specialized water treatment chemicals such as antiscalants and corrosion inhibitors, further boosting the market.

Increased Focus on Industrial Wastewater Reuse: Due to tightening wastewater discharge regulations and increasing freshwater scarcity, industries are focusing on wastewater recycling. Large-scale industries such as textiles and oil & gas are leading in adopting zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) technologies, driving the need for advanced water treatment chemicals. For instance, industrial sectors are expected to treat and recycle 50 billion cubic meters of water annually by 2025, which will drive the consumption of chemicals such as flocculants, coagulants, and biocides for wastewater treatment.

Market Challenges

High Costs of Specialized Chemicals: The cost of advanced water treatment chemicals, particularly for niche applications such as reverse osmosis and desalination, remains prohibitive for small and medium-sized industries. For instance, specialized chemicals like membrane cleaners can cost INR 4,500 per kilogram, making their adoption challenging for smaller players who require cost-effective solutions. This cost sensitivity is limiting the market expansion, particularly among cost-conscious industries.

Complex Regulatory Environment: The regulatory framework governing the water treatment sector in India is complex, with multiple agencies involved, including the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Regulatory compliance is cumbersome, especially for smaller enterprises, which often lack the resources to meet stringent water quality and discharge norms.

India Water Treatment Chemicals Market Future Outlook

Over the next five years, the India water treatment chemicals industry is expected to witness growth. Key drivers include government initiatives for clean water access, increasing environmental regulations, and rising investments in industrial water treatment infrastructure. With increasing water scarcity, industries are focusing more on water reuse and recycling, which is expected to create substantial demand for specialized water treatment chemicals.

Future Market Opportunities

Expansion of Industrial Water Reuse: By 2029, industrial water reuse is expected to grow exponentially, with industries like textiles and pharmaceuticals aiming to recycle 70 billion liters of water annually. This will drive the demand for advanced treatment chemicals such as biocides, coagulants, and antiscalants that are critical for maintaining water quality in closed-loop systems.

Introduction of Smart Water Treatment Technologies: The market will see the integration of Io T-based smart water treatment technologies by 2028, with an estimated 30,000 smart water management devices being deployed. These systems will require innovative chemical formulations to ensure precise dosing and optimization of water quality across various industries and municipal projects.
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