U.S. Industrial Wastewater Treatment Market to Reach USD 13.22 Billion by 2033, Growing at a CAGR of 3.8% – openPR.com

Report on the U.S. Industrial Wastewater Treatment Market and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Market Overview and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The U.S. Industrial Wastewater Treatment Market is integral to advancing several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The market’s growth reflects a systemic shift towards sustainable industrial practices and environmental stewardship.

• Market Valuation (2024): US$ 9.53 billion
• Projected Market Valuation (2033): US$ 13.22 billion
• Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): 3.8%

This expansion is driven by the adoption of advanced technologies that enable industries to comply with environmental regulations, recycle water, and improve operational efficiency, thereby supporting the transition to a circular economy and reinforcing sustainable industrial infrastructure.

Market Drivers and Contribution to SDGs

The market’s growth is propelled by several factors that directly support the achievement of global sustainability targets.

• Stringent Environmental Regulations: Increasing regulatory pressures on industrial discharge directly support SDG 6 by ensuring cleaner water bodies and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by protecting marine ecosystems from industrial pollutants.
• Corporate Sustainability and Water Reuse: A rising focus on corporate sustainability goals is driving investment in water recycling and reuse technologies, which is a core tenet of SDG 12.
• Water Scarcity Concerns: Growing water scarcity compels industries to adopt closed-loop and zero-liquid-discharge systems, a critical adaptation for achieving water security under SDG 6.
• Industrial Expansion: The growth of sectors like chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and power generation necessitates efficient wastewater treatment, aligning industrial growth (SDG 9) with environmental responsibility.
• Technological Innovation: Advancements in filtration, oxidation, and digital monitoring systems represent progress in sustainable industrial innovation as outlined in SDG 9.

Technological Advancements Supporting SDG 9 and SDG 12

Innovation is a cornerstone of the market, enabling more efficient and sustainable industrial processes.

• Development of high-efficiency membranes with improved fouling resistance.
• Adoption of real-time monitoring, IoT sensors, and automated control systems to enhance operational efficiency and reduce resource consumption.
• Expansion of modular and containerized wastewater treatment units for rapid and cost-effective deployment.
• Increased integration of energy-efficient systems, such as anaerobic digestion, to recover energy from wastewater, contributing to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

Key Developments and Strategic Initiatives

United States

• Strategic partnerships are being formed to develop AI-powered real-time monitoring systems, aiming to improve operational efficiency and reduce chemical consumption, directly supporting SDG 9 and SDG 12.
• New advanced filtration systems are being launched to help industrial clients meet tightening environmental regulations, contributing to SDG 6.
• There is a growing adoption of digital water treatment platforms that combine IoT and predictive analytics to optimize treatment cycles and lower operating costs.

Japan

• The Japanese market is projected to grow significantly, driven by demand for advanced membrane technologies that promote water reuse (SDG 6).
• Major firms are increasing investment in smart wastewater solutions, integrating AI and IoT to meet stricter effluent standards.
• Industrial customers are adopting modular and chemical-efficient systems as part of circular water programs, particularly in the electronics and manufacturing sectors (SDG 12).

Regional Insights and SDG Implementation

• North America: Strong market driven by strict environmental regulations (SDG 6) and high industrial water consumption, necessitating efficient management.
• Europe: A mature market supported by advanced water management policies and a strong focus on circular economy practices (SDG 12).
• Asia-Pacific: The fastest-growing region due to rapid industrial expansion and tightening wastewater norms, highlighting the need to balance economic growth (SDG 8) with environmental protection.
• Latin America & Middle East & Africa: Growing demand is linked to rising industrial activities and the critical need for water management solutions due to water scarcity (SDG 6).

Market Segmentation Analysis

By Equipment Type

• Ultrafiltration and Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems: Lead the market due to their efficiency in removing contaminants, enabling water reuse and supporting SDG 6.
• Vacuum Evaporation Units: Growing rapidly for high-purity and zero-liquid-discharge applications, aligning with SDG 12.

By Method

• Filtration: Dominates as the primary method for purification.
• Biological Treatment: Expanding as an eco-friendly option for wastewater management.

By Chemical Type

• Coagulants & Flocculants: Widely used for separating suspended solids to meet discharge standards.
• Scale & Corrosion Inhibitors: Essential for maintaining the longevity and efficiency of infrastructure (SDG 9).

By End-User

• Power Generation and Oil & Gas: Lead in adoption due to high water consumption and strict operational requirements.
• Chemical and Food & Beverage: Utilize advanced systems to ensure product purity and regulatory compliance, contributing to responsible production (SDG 12).

Profile of Key Industry Players and Their Role in Advancing SDGs

Leading corporations in this sector are pivotal in developing and deploying technologies that help industries worldwide achieve their sustainability objectives.

1. Veolia: A global leader in environmental services, providing critical industrial wastewater management and advanced recycling solutions that directly support SDG 6 and SDG 12.
2. SUEZ: A major global water and wastewater management company delivering large-scale treatment technologies essential for sustainable municipal and industrial infrastructure (SDG 9).
3. Ecolab Inc.: A global leader in water treatment and industrial process solutions, focusing on advanced water purification and digital optimization platforms.
4. Dow: A global materials leader with a strong portfolio of specialty chemicals used for water clarification and membrane-based treatment.
5. Evoqua Water Technologies LLC: A major provider of water treatment systems and services for industrial and municipal applications.
6. Kemira: A leading producer of water treatment chemicals and coagulants vital for municipal and industrial water purification.
7. SNF: One of the world’s largest producers of polyacrylamide and flocculants, supplying essential polymers for water treatment across multiple sectors.
8. Solenis: A global provider of high-performance water treatment chemicals for industrial operations.
9. Feralco AB: A European leader in water treatment coagulants, supplying advanced chemicals to municipalities and industries.
10. IXOM: A leading chemical and water treatment solutions provider in the Asia-Pacific region.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The entire article is centered on industrial wastewater treatment, which is fundamental to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water. It discusses technologies and processes designed to “remove contaminants from wastewater generated by industries to ensure safe discharge, reuse, and environmental compliance,” directly contributing to improving water quality globally.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The article highlights the role of technological innovation in making industrial processes more sustainable. It details the “adoption of advanced technologies, such as membrane bioreactors, reverse osmosis, advanced oxidation processes, and real-time monitoring systems” to modernize industrial infrastructure. This focus on upgrading industry for “operational efficiency and environmental stewardship” aligns with building resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable industrialization.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The text emphasizes the shift towards sustainable industrial operations, including the “increasing need for water recycling and reuse” and the adoption of “zero-liquid-discharge and closed-loop treatment systems.” These practices are key components of ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns by reducing waste generation and promoting a circular economy, as evidenced by the mention of “circular water programs.”

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

1. Target 6.3: Improve water quality, wastewater treatment, and safe reuse

   This target aims to improve water quality by reducing pollution, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse. The article directly addresses this through its focus on the industrial wastewater treatment market, which exists to “remove contaminants,” ensure “safe discharge,” and meet the “increasing need for water recycling and reuse.” The mention of “zero-liquid-discharge” systems is a clear example of pursuing this target.

2. Target 9.4: Upgrade all industries for sustainability

   This target calls for upgrading infrastructure and retrofitting industries to make them sustainable by increasing resource-use efficiency and adopting clean and environmentally sound technologies. The article supports this by describing the industry’s “shift toward sustainable operations” and the “adoption of advanced technologies” like “AI-powered real-time process monitoring systems,” “advanced filtration systems,” and “digital water treatment platforms” to optimize processes and reduce environmental impact.

3. Target 12.4: Responsible management of chemicals and waste

   This target focuses on achieving the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes. The article’s discussion of using “advanced oxidation processes to treat complex and hard-to-degrade industrial pollutants” and employing “Coagulants & Flocculants… for separating suspended solids” directly relates to managing and treating industrial waste (wastewater) to prevent environmental contamination.

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

• Indicators for Target 6.3

  While the official indicator (proportion of treated wastewater) is not stated, the article provides strong proxy indicators. The growth of the U.S. Industrial Wastewater Treatment Market, “projected to reach US$ 13.22 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.8%,” directly implies an increase in the capacity and volume of treated industrial wastewater. Furthermore, the rising adoption of “water reuse and circular water programs” serves as a qualitative indicator of increased water recycling.

• Indicators for Target 9.4

  The article implies several indicators for the adoption of clean technologies. These include the “growing adoption of digital water treatment platforms,” the development and deployment of “AI-powered real-time process monitoring systems,” and the market growth of specific equipment like “Ultrafiltration systems,” “RO systems,” and “Vacuum Evaporation units.” The investment by major companies like Xylem and Evoqua in these advanced systems is a concrete measure of progress.

• Indicators for Target 12.4

  Progress towards the sound management of chemical waste can be measured by the market demand and use of specific treatment solutions mentioned in the article. The market for “Coagulants & Flocculants,” “Disinfectants & Biocidal products,” and the “growing use of advanced oxidation processes” are indicators of the extent to which industries are actively treating and managing hazardous pollutants in their wastewater before discharge.

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: openpr.com