Abstract
Consolidation Intensifies Competition in Water Treatment Chemicals Market
The water treatment chemicals market is highly matured and penetrated. This fragmented market is characterized by highly demanding customers, who are predominantly global giants that pressurize suppliers into offering low prices, innovative products and more services. They also look for 'preferred supplier relationships' with merchants that can cater to all their global needs. This, apart from adding to the competitive atmosphere, also challenges smaller suppliers that lack the means to obtain such contracts. They cave in to pressure, leading to large-scale mergers and acquisitions. With consolidation, the basic chemicals market becomes intensely competitive with manufacturers pursuing a small customer base, thus decreasing the profit margins.
This Frost & Sullivan research service examines the U.S. market for water treatment chemicals by various sectors: corrosion and scale-inhibiting chemicals; biocides and disinfectants; coagulants and flocculants; activated carbon; antifoaming agents and defoamers; pH adjustors, water softeners, and other inorganic commodities. The comprehensive coverage is likely to help clients position themselves favorably in the changing market landscape which is shifting from the transactional mode of supplying chemicals to the services model wherein product offerings are bundled with services.
Stringent Environmental Regulations Stimulate Market for Water Treatment Chemicals
"Constantly amended regulations with stricter discharge specifications and growing environmental consciousness among the public are driving the demand for green products," says the analyst. These regulations direct industries and commercial institutions to build efficient effluent treatment plants. The program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which sets standards for pollution control, is based on several statutes. The Clean Water Act regulates industrial wastewater treatment and the Safe Drinking Water Act ensures standards of purity by requiring public water systems to conform to health-related norms.
The increasing awareness of environmental issues among the public has also contributed to concerns over water quality, and encourages the growth of eco-friendly water treatment products. This, in conjunction with the advent of outsourcing water management and treatment solutions, is compelling suppliers to remodel themselves according to the oft-amended environmental regulations and provide quick solutions.
Customer Convenience Instrumental in Driving Higher Margins
The small client base for water-treating chemicals composed of formulators and water treatment companies is focusing on global expansion. Operating in a mature market with a high penetration level, coupled with the ongoing trend of consolidation, manufacturers are compelled to cater to customer convenience by offering flexible pricing plans and inventive service in order to maintain profitability. The customer, meanwhile, requires a dependable supplier constantly geared with a range of technologies, services, equipment, and manpower to suit his specific needs, and is capable of quick response.
"Offering on-site services support is likely to be instrumental in increasing customer retention. Response time can be reduced by offering round-the-clock monitoring of water systems and identifying process efficiencies such as water remediation," states the analyst.
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