INTRODUCTION
STUDY GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
This study attempts to illustrate the complexity of U.S. specialty chemicals used in the water treatment industry and the dynamic nature of this market. This study will address the influence of government regulations, current technology and the economic factors that shape this marketplace. It also provides the facts, figures and statistics required to evaluate stable aspects of the market, as well as the current trends and future projections of the industry.
REASON FOR DOING THE STUDY
Water treatment has changed considerably in the last 50 years, and new advances and developments continue to shape the market. As the human population continues to grow exponentially, the need for clean water will grow with it. And as the population grows, providing clean water will become an increasingly difficult problem. So, although the water treatment chemicals industry is considered to be a mature market, it is also one that needs to adapt and expand and it will increase in importance as the availability of water decreases. When one considers the rapidly expanding populations in Africa, South America, and Asia, as well as the pollutants plaguing the former Eastern block in Europe, knowledge of potential remedies for contaminated water sources becomes increasingly important. Knowing how to solve these problems could also prove to be very valuable to the savvy investor.
This revised BCC technical/marketing study provides an in-depth analysis that forecasts and tracks significant changes in the specialty chemicals used in the water treatment industry. This industry is ever changing as chemicals come in or go out of favor, when there is a change in government regulation, or even mechanical changes that require a response by the chemical industry. The risks and rewards involved in these changes determine the difference between success and failure of the individual chemicals used in this industry and additionally influence the development of new chemical treatments.
CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY AND FOR WHOM
This study aims to provide those interested in investment, acquisition or expansion in the water treatment industry with the detailed information necessary to make informed decisions.
This report consolidates a range of legislative, industrial, and technical information into a comprehensive study. This study should aid personnel in the research and development of water treatment chemicals, the suppliers of these chemicals, and people interested in discovering and exploiting current or projected market sub-niches. In addition, those who simply want to stay abreast of the field will find this study worthwhile.
SCOPE AND FORMAT
Water treatment touches nearly every individual or industry in one way or another as the water treatment industry seeks to bring impure water up to potable standards or better. As this extremely large industry continues to expand, the distinctions between commodity and specialty chemicals, and mechanical and other treatment methods, are sometimes blurred.
This report concentrates on the most competitive, high-growth segment of the water treatment industry. Using information gathered from diverse sources, this report has been organized into a cohesive unit that includes an overview of the industry with relevant information on the environmental and regulatory constraints and actions that greatly control this industry. This report addresses the structure of the industry and its competitive aspects, as well as specialty water treatment chemicals by function and market application. Abstracted patents represent many of the research and development trends in the industry. Not all of these patents become commercialized. However, they do illustrate areas of company activity and alternative technologies under development.
To simplify and focus on the most promising and relevant technologies, this study concentrates its analysis on existing technology and recent advances. Five-year projections for market activity and value are provided. Industry structure, the pricing trends, research and development, environmental influences, competition between different technologies, and companies involved are also included.
METHODOLOGY
Research for this report began with an in-depth analysis of technical and business literature, as well as a review of the history of technology. The methodologies employed in this study include extensive library research and information from BCC internal files, as well as contact with representatives from the leading water-treatment chemicals companies. This report also includes an on-line data search of databases that cover all existing literature and an evaluation of government statistics, company activities, state-of-the-art technology, and patents. Since it revises, expands, and updates an older BCC report, the report contains some historical and background information from the older report. This information conforms to the newer BCC format and the more focused objectives of this report.
Values reflect U.S. sales of specialty water treatment chemicals for the market applications covered in this report. Projections for the 2002 to 2007 time period are given in 2001 constant dollars and represent real growth. Historical values are presented for the given year, with focus on the given year. Overseas activity is also mentioned, which puts the U.S. market into global context. Where precise information was not available, a consensus was made, using a formulation of reasonable assumptions and estimates based on a baseline obtained from historical data.
INFORMATION SOURCES
The information sources for this study include extensive online research, patent literature, worldwide technical journals and magazines, and principals in the industry.
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