Abstract
Health and Safety Concerns Drives a Chemical Free Disinfection Trend
The trend towards chemical free treatment of water will continue. The
reduction of the use of chlorine and its by products, specifically
Trihalomethanes (THM's), which have been linked to reproductive health
problems is a main driver for many municipal drinking water plants to switch
to ozone or UV disinfection. Health and cost benefits have generated public
interest in UV technology as an alternative to chlorine. At the same time,
recent advances have allowed manufacturers to develop equipment capable of
meeting the stringent requirements of regulators. The combination of these two
issues is fueling significant growth in the UV industry. As an extremely
powerful oxidizing agent, ozone completely destroys microorganisms, and is the
single most effective disinfectant against Cryptosporidium oocysts. In
addition, these advanced water treatment technologies eliminate the need to
store disinfection agents such as chlorine on site, thus reducing potential
hazards associated with chlorine handling and storage. These factors combine
to facilitate the shift from chemical disinfection to safer alternatives.
Need to Upgrade or Replace Existing Plants Encourage Sales of New Equipment
Many current treatment facilities are outfitted with old and outdated
disinfection equipment. As regulations are tightened and flow rates are
increased, expansion or retrofit of the facilities will be needed in order to
meet the increased demand, which in turn will result in an increase in demand
for new equipment, including disinfection. It is expected that the majority of
the treatment plants will have upgraded their systems towards the end of the
forecast period, causing a slight decrease of this driver.
Increasing Competition Demands Sustainable Pricing and Innovative Strategies
As opportunities slow down in a maturing market, competition is increasing
based on prices and innovative business strategies including meeting specific
technological requirements and the ability to undertake outsourcing projects.
Price is of critical importance in this market as industries still have the
greater bargaining power to dictate technological and service options to
equipment suppliers.
View Cart
