World demand for water disinfection products is projected to increase 5.5 percent per year to $7.7 billion in 2016.
There is continued concern about disinfection byproducts (DBPs), outbreaks of waterborne illness continue to occur even in developed countries as pathogens such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia are resistant to chlorine, heightened security and anti-terrorism measures have led to increased regulatory costs, and standards for water quality and wastewater treatment around the world are tightening — including pressure to treat wastewater so that it is suitable for reuse or resupply of source waters.
The net result of these factors has been a switch from elemental chlorine in favor of higher value chemicals and advanced treatment technologies. Sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorite generators, UV water treatment systems, and ozone water treatment systems will be the main beneficiaries of these changes. In addition to environmental advantages, growth in the use of equipment will be spurred by technological improvements and reduced costs, both of which have made these alternatives more attractive options.
The most dramatic changes in product mix are occurring in the municipal market. This trend is led by the US, which is pushing to replace chlorine gas. Around the world, municipal water treatment systems are reviewing their disinfection choices to determine the best technology. Industrial users favor high-end chemicals and nonchemical disinfection techniques.