The scarcity of potable water left the human race with few options, including water recycling and seawater desalination, allowing the global water desalination market to reach US$ 16.4 billion in 2017. The market is expected to reach US$ 37.6 billion in 2026, with a 9.5% growth rate, owing to several industrial behemoths planning to enter the water desalination business. The market is quite mature in the Middle East, Africa, southern Europe, and some parts of the Caribbean Islands. However, the market has huge potential in the developing and highly populated regions of Asia Pacific and the continuously developing countries of Latin America. More than 1,700 desalination plants are producing fresh water each day, and more are waiting to get commissioned. Reducing resources of fresh water, adverse environmental changes, and a growing population all together constitute a catalyst for the water desalination market's growth throughout and beyond the forecast period from 2018 to 2026.
Market Synopsis
In the Future, Reverse Osmosis Technology Will Filter Out Fresh Water
Thermal desalination techniques such as vapor compression, multi-effect desalination, and multi-stage flash desalination dominated the early part of the water desalination market. Membrane filtration involved considerable membrane costs, and the overall process was not affordable. In the past few years, significant developments in manufacturing techniques and the introduction of advanced materials have helped reduce the cost of R.O. membranes. The overall desalination market made a massive comeback as a result of R.O. technology. The technology is projected to remain dominant in the coming years as it is more efficient and requires less energy compared to thermal desalination methods. Thermal desalination methods are expected to get some leverage from the introduction of renewable energy. However, the technologies will lose their share to reverse osmosis, making the R.O. segment a lucrative one to invest in in the future.
Oceans to the Rescue as the Chief Source for Water Desalination
Water desalination plants use a variety of water sources, depending on their availability. Canada is one of the few countries that has an abundance of freshwater sources. However, most of the countries have vast coastlines with direct access to seawater. This has contributed to the seawater segment leading the segment with an overall market share of more than 70%, and it is expected to continue leading in the coming years. Continuous development in desalination techniques and overconsumption of fresh water are projected to help brackish water and wastewater regain some lost market share. As an inexpensive source, almost endless availability and easy accessibility are projected to keep seawater on top of the podium as the prime source for desalination.
The Middle East's high concentration of desalination plants aided its rise to global leadership.
The presence of countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, among others, depends heavily on seawater desalination to quench their thirst for fresh water. With nearly 55% of the world's water desalination plants located in this region, Middle East Asia leads and directs the global desalination market. The combined desalination capacity of all three countries above is over 20 million m3 of water per day, which is almost double the global capacity. Spain, in the Europe region, holds the majority of the share and is the fourth-largest country in terms of desalination capacity. Europe is home to several leading desalination companies and offers prospects for the market to grow. However, Asia Pacific is predicted to be the fastest-growing region on account of notable economic development and a high population. China and India are projected to double their desalination capacity in the next five years, offering tremendous growth opportunities for the companies to mark their presence in Asia-Pacific. Australia is another country to watch, with a desalination capacity of more than 1.8 million m3 of water per day and growing. Similarly, Latin America and the African continent pose great growth potential for the global desalination market in the coming years.
Segmentation
Companies Making Their Way from Intense Competition Towards Prospects
Remarkable opportunities are waiting for water desalination plant companies across the globe. However, these companies have to go through stiff competition to bag such opportunities. The market is characterized by a number of companies that are pioneers in setting up renewable energy and water treatment plants. Several European companies have a successful track record of establishing plants in the Middle East and Asia. These companies are further in search of new prospects as several countries are willing to set up desalination plants for fresh water. A few of the heavyweights in the water desalination market covered in this research study include Suez SA, Befesa S.A., Valoriza Agua S.L., Acciona S.A., Veolia Environnement S.A., Doosan Group, Fisia Italimpianti SpA, Degrémont, Acciona S.A., Hyflux Ltd., Biwater International Limited, TEDAGUA, Wetico Ltd., Cadagua, Aqualia, and Mitsubishi Corporation, among others.
Key questions answered in this report include:
What are the latest trends in the water desalination market and potential opportunities for the players?
How will government initiatives and the growing demand for potable water affect the global as well as regional desalination markets?
Which is the largest and fastest-growing segment in terms of technology used for desalination and water sources for feed water?
Which is the most attractive geographical region or country for the overall water desalination market?
How is global warming affecting the demand for freshwater, and how will water desalination help to overcome associated issues?
What are the market sizes and trends in developing regions such as Asia Pacific, Africa, and Latin America?
Frequently Asked Questions:
The market for Water Desalination Market is expected to reach US$ 37.6 Bn in 2026.
The Water Desalination Market is expected to see significant CAGR growth over the coming years, at 9.5%
The report is forecasted from 2018-2026.
The base year of this report is 2017.
Suez SA, Befesa S.A., Valoriza Agua S.L., Acciona S.A., Veolia Environnement S.A., Doosan Group, Fisia Italimpianti SpA, Degrémont, Acciona S.A., Hyflux Ltd., Biwater International Limited, TEDAGUA, Wetico Ltd., Cadagua, Aqualia are some of the major players in the global market.
