Industrial Water Reuse and Recycling Market: A Strategic Report on Sustainable Growth and Global Impact

Executive Summary

The global Industrial Water Reuse and Recycling market, valued at US$17.47 billion in 2024, is projected to expand to US$37.19 billion by 2032, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.9%. This growth is intrinsically linked to the global pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning water security, responsible industrialization, and environmental stewardship. The market’s expansion signifies a critical shift towards sustainable industrial practices, driven by increasing water scarcity, stringent environmental regulations, and the economic benefits of resource conservation.

Direct Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The industrial water recycling sector is a fundamental enabler for achieving several key SDGs. Its operations and technological advancements provide tangible solutions to global challenges.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The market directly addresses Target 6.3 by improving water quality through the treatment of industrial wastewater and Target 6.4 by substantially increasing water-use efficiency across various sectors. By reducing reliance on freshwater sources, it ensures more sustainable withdrawals and availability for all.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The adoption of advanced treatment technologies like reverse osmosis, membrane filtration, and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems represents significant progress under Target 9.4, which calls for upgrading infrastructure and retrofitting industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Industrial water reuse is a core tenet of circular economy models and sustainable production patterns. It directly supports Target 12.2, which aims for the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources, minimizing the environmental impact of industrial operations.

Market Segmentation Analysis

By Technology

Technological innovation is central to the market’s capacity to meet sustainability targets. Key segments include:

• Membrane Filtration Technologies
• Chemical Treatments
• Biological Treatments
• Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Systems
• Others

By Equipment

• Filtration
• Machinery
• Tanks
• Others

By Capacity

• Less than 25,000L
• 25,001 to 50,000 L
• 50,001 L to 100,000 L
• More than 100,001 L

By End-User

The implementation of water recycling technologies is critical across various industrial sectors to reduce their ecological footprint.

• Power
• Oil & Gas
• Chemicals
• Food & Beverage
• Other Industries

Key Industry Developments and Sustainability Milestones

Recent activities within the market underscore the industry’s commitment to advancing sustainable water management and contributing to the SDGs.

1. Investment in Sustainable Infrastructure (SDG 9): In March 2025, a $199 million continuation fund was raised by Pike Street Capital to expand Impel’s industrial fluid management services. This investment facilitates the geographic expansion of water treatment and wastewater services, building out critical infrastructure for sustainable industry.
2. Achieving Water-Use Efficiency (SDG 6): As of February 2025, the Lost Tank facility in New Mexico celebrated the recycling of over 50 million barrels of produced water. With an expanded treatment capacity of 180,000 barrels per day, this project exemplifies a significant contribution to increasing water recycling and reducing the water stress associated with industrial activities.
3. Innovation for Resource Recovery (SDG 12): A partnership launched in February 2025 will pilot modular thermal water-recycling units in the Permian Basin. This innovative system not only produces irrigation-grade water from industrial effluent but also holds potential for mineral extraction (e.g., lithium, manganese), demonstrating a move towards a circular economy where waste is valorized.

Competitive Landscape and Regional Outlook

Key Market Participants

Leading corporations are at the forefront of developing and deploying technologies that enable industries to meet their sustainability objectives. Major players include:

• Alfa Laval
• Dow Chemical Company
• Evoqua Water Technologies
• Fluence Corporation Limited
• Hitachi Ltd.
• Kubota Corporation
• Melbourne Water
• Siemens
• SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions
• Veolia Water Technologies

Regional Analysis

The drive for industrial water recycling is a global imperative, with significant market activity and regulatory frameworks promoting its adoption across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa. Each region faces unique water-related challenges, making localized and scalable recycling solutions essential for sustainable development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Industrial Water Reuse and Recycling Market directly addresses and connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on sustainable industrial practices, resource management, and technological innovation. The primary SDGs identified are:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – This is the most central SDG, as the entire article revolves around the treatment and reuse of industrial wastewater to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The article highlights the role of advanced technologies and infrastructure development in making industries more sustainable and resource-efficient.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The practice of water recycling is a core principle of responsible production, aiming to reduce resource depletion and waste generation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the content, several specific targets under the identified SDGs can be pinpointed:

1. Under SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation):
   • Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution… halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
     
     Explanation: The article’s main subject is the “process of treating wastewater from industrial operations and reusing it” to “cut wastewater discharge,” which directly aligns with this target’s goal of increasing recycling and reducing pollution.
   • Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
     
     Explanation: The text explicitly states that a key driver for the market is to “reduce freshwater consumption” and address “rising water scarcity,” which is the core objective of this target.
2. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
     
     Explanation: The article discusses how industries are “adopting advanced treatment technologies such as reverse osmosis and membrane filtration” and mentions investments like a “$199 million continuation fund” to “build-outs, and geographically expand reach in water treatment and wastewater services.” This reflects the upgrading of industrial processes and infrastructure for sustainability.
3. Under SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production):
   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
     
     Explanation: The practice of industrial water recycling is a direct method for achieving the efficient use of a critical natural resource—water. The article states that this practice helps in “conserving resources.”
   • Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
     
     Explanation: The article’s focus on recycling and reusing industrial water to “minimize environmental impact” and “cut wastewater discharge” is a clear example of reducing waste generation through reuse, as specified in this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Market Growth and Investment: The market’s growth from “US$17.47 billion in 2024” to a projected “US$37.19 billion by 2032” serves as an indicator for the increasing adoption of water recycling technologies (relevant to Targets 6.3, 6.4, and 9.4). The mention of a “$199 million continuation fund” is a specific indicator of financial commitment to expanding this infrastructure.
• Volume of Recycled Water: The article provides a concrete metric of progress with the example of the Lost Tank facility “recycling over 50 million barrels of produced water since launching in 2022.” This is a direct indicator for Target 12.5.
• Treatment Capacity: The increase in treatment capacity from “60,000” to “180,000 barrels/day” at a single facility is a clear indicator of scaling up wastewater treatment operations, which is crucial for achieving Target 6.3.
• Adoption of Advanced Technology: The mention of specific technologies like “reverse osmosis,” “membrane filtration,” and new “modular low-pressure thermal water-recycling units” indicates progress in adopting environmentally sound technologies, as per Target 9.4.

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: openpr.com