The problem of water resources is becoming more and more serious due to population growth, the increase of per capita water consumption and the imbalance of rainfall caused by climate change. The promotion of hydraulic fracturing technology used in industrial application and shale gas development has led to more shortage of water resources. Market participants recently said that in order to solve the difficulties of water resources, the accelerated application and promotion of reverse osmosis membrane, the strong demand of developing markets and the more stringent environmental protection requirements of various countries are driving the rapid growth of the global market demand for water treatment chemicals. Among them, the demand growth of water treatment chemicals, services and equipment in the field of industrial applications is particularly strong.
IHS chemical company's recent analysis confirmed this. According to its report, from 2010 to 2015, the global consumption of water treatment chemicals will increase at an average annual rate of 3.2%, and the market scale will reach about 124 billion US dollars. Among them, the average annual growth rate of demand and demand in the Chinese market is about 6.1%, that in South America is expected to be 5%, that in North America is about 2.9%, and that in Europe is about 2,2%.
Water cycle stimulates demand in Arid Areas
Industrial facilities are a high growth end market for reverse osmosis membrane and other water resource recycling processes. Hamidi, BWA's vice president of marketing, said: "we are currently seeing more use of reverse osmosis membrane technology in industrial applications for water pretreatment to recycle boiler water and cooling water. In addition, reverse osmosis membrane technology is also being used in new drinking water plants. Countries around the world (especially in arid areas) The increasing utilization of seawater desalination has stimulated the rapid growth of reverse osmosis membrane demand. The recycling of water resources has been very popular in arid areas such as the Middle East, the southwest of the United States and some parts of China. Wherever there is water shortage, industrial installations will recycle water resources. "
The increasingly stringent environmental regulations in some countries and regions are another stimulus. The factory is required to realize zero discharge, the industrial water system is closed and cannot discharge sewage to the local water treatment system, which has stimulated the market demand for membrane products.
Leading force of China's demand growth
Although urban sewage treatment customers still pay attention to cost saving, the rapid construction of infrastructure in developing countries such as China and Brazil is helping the market demand for water treatment chemicals grow. Like other special chemical industries, China is becoming the leading force in the water treatment chemical market. It is predicted that by 2015, the market demand for water treatment chemicals in China will reach 2.2 billion US dollars. Taking the application of industrial water treatment as an example, its total market value is 4 ~ 6 times of the demand output value of chemicals; By 2016, China's water treatment market will become the second largest market in the world except the United States.
Matthias harusa, vice president of BASF water treatment solutions business department, said that at present, the application of reverse osmosis membrane in China's water treatment industry is in the stage of rapid development, and many municipal infrastructure transformation and upgrading and industrial capacity expansion projects require the use of the most advanced process technology. In addition, China's industrial sector also pays more and more attention to water treatment technology, and the requirements for water resources management are more stringent. Water treatment also involves industrial water scaling or bacterial corrosion. Strengthening chemical water treatment is also the protection of industrial assets. Therefore, the market demand growth potential of water treatment chemicals and permanent treatment systems in China is very large.
Another important driver is the Chinese government's efforts to achieve cleaner industrial production and cleaner water discharge. China will further strengthen the construction of urban sewage infrastructure, which will also provide market opportunities for water treatment chemical manufacturers.
According to statistics, China's rural areas produce more than 9 billion tons of domestic sewage every year, but the centralized sewage treatment rate is only 4.9%. With the Chinese government's increasing attention to the water supply and drainage of rural areas and small and medium-sized cities and towns, its sewage treatment market will present huge business opportunities.
Dividends of shale revolution in North America
Water intensive hydraulic fracturing technology is stimulating water treatment chemical manufacturers to expand the energy market in North America.
At present, the largest market of water treatment, the energy field in North America has become an important field for economic growth and investment accumulation. This area has been consuming a lot of water resources, especially power plants. In recent years, with the great success of the shale revolution represented by hydraulic fracturing technology, the demand for water treatment chemicals in the oil and gas field has increased strongly. The emerging market of post fracturing water treatment will bring rolling dividends to water treatment chemical manufacturers. In 2010, the total value of water treatment market in North America's oil and gas industry was about US $2.5 billion. It is expected that the water treatment market in North America's oil and gas industry will grow by 10% ~ 20% before 2025.
In addition, the rise of natural gas as a power source also brings opportunities for water treatment chemical manufacturers. In North America, a large number of coal-fired power generation has shifted to natural gas power generation, which means that a large number of new natural gas power plant projects will require more water treatment chemicals.
