MARKET INSIGHTS
The global water and wastewater pumps market was valued at USD 7.76 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 10.53 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5.22%. Water and wastewater pumps are essential components of modern infrastructure that facilitate the movement, distribution, and management of water and wastewater in various sectors. High demand for energy-efficient & advanced wastewater treatment technologies, and increasing focus on water reuse and recycling, are projected to drive the water and wastewater pumps market during the forecast period. Ongoing economic growth in countries such as China and India is expected to outpace the growth of the target market in the developed economies of North America & Western Europe and the developing countries of Latin America.
Global population growth, especially in urban areas, has increased the demand for reliable water supply and wastewater management systems. As cities expand, they require efficient pumping infrastructure to deliver water to households and businesses while collecting and treating wastewater, supporting the water and wastewater pumps market growth. Further, the growth of the construction industry and increased investments in the wastewater industry have contributed to the growth of the North American water and wastewater pumps market. The region's demand for pumps is expected to be motivated by industrialization and the demand for water and wastewater. High government expenditure to develop water and sanitation infrastructure in the U.S. and Canada is expected to add to the growing demand for water & wastewater pumps during the forecast period. Both industrial and residential sectors in the region are anticipated to witness the fastest growth for pumps during the forecast period. Also, the water and wastewater pumps market in the region has immense potential with evolving technical developments along with the existing infrastructure and demand for energy-efficient pumps.
MARKET TRENDS & OPPORTUNITIES
High Focus on Seawater Desalination
Desalination is an effective way to obtain freshwater for human consumption and other purposes. Many regions facing freshwater scarcity are close to the sea, making desalination a viable solution to meet their water needs. The key goal for the future of desalination is to increase the capacity of desalination plants while minimizing their environmental impact. As water scarcity persists and the demand for freshwater rises, desalination plays a crucial role in ensuring access to clean water for millions of people around the world. The water and wastewater pumps market plays a crucial role in the desalination process, enabling the conversion of seawater into freshwater by removing salt and impurities. The desalination process typically involves two primary methods: reverse osmosis (RO) and multi-stage flash distillation (MSF) or multi-effect distillation (MED). Pumps are essential components in both methods, helping to facilitate the various stages of desalination. Overall, water & wastewater pumps are integral components in desalination plants, ensuring efficient water movement, energy transfer, and water distribution throughout the entire desalination process.
Aging Infrastructure of Water Treatment Plants
The aging water infrastructure of water treatment plants is a significant driver that has a direct impact on the water and wastewater pumps market. Water treatment plants are essential components of the water supply and wastewater management systems, responsible for ensuring the provision of safe drinking water and effective wastewater treatment. The need to address maintenance challenges, improve energy efficiency, adapt to evolving water treatment practices, and comply with regulations drives the demand for new and advanced pump technologies. Upgrading pump systems in aging water treatment plants is essential to ensure the delivery of safe and clean water to communities while optimizing water management practices for a sustainable future.
INDUSTRY RESTRAINTS
High Operational Costs
The high operational cost in the water and wastewater pumps market presents a significant challenge for water utilities and industries involved in water management. Pumps are energy-intensive devices, and their continuous operation contributes to high electricity bills. Implementing energy-efficient pump technologies, such as variable speed drives and energy recovery systems, can help reduce energy consumption and operational costs. In addition, regular maintenance and occasional repairs are essential to keep pumps running smoothly. However, unexpected breakdowns and the need for emergency repairs can lead to increased operational costs. Implementing preventive maintenance programs and investing in high-quality, reliable pump systems can help minimize maintenance expenses.
SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS
INSIGHTS BY TYPE
The global water and wastewater pumps market is majorly dominated by the demand for centrifugal pumps. The centrifugal pump segment holds a prominent and critical position in the water and wastewater pump market. High-pressure multistage centrifugal pumps are mainly used in steam boilers in the power generation sector. These pumps are highly applicable for handling a wide range of water and wastewater applications such as distribution of portable water to residents, and water supply for various municipalities across various cities. However, for handling fluids with solids and other abrasives, positive displacement pumps are highly preferred in the market.
INSIGHTS BY APPLICATION
The global water and wastewater pumps market by application type was dominated by the clean water segment in 2022. The clean water pump segment includes a diverse range of pump types, each designed to cater to specific applications and pumping requirements in clean water systems. Centrifugal pumps are widely used in clean water applications due to their high efficiency, versatility, and ease of maintenance. However, wastewater pumps play a vital role in transporting and treating wastewater from various sources, ensuring the safe disposal or reuse of water while protecting the environment and public health.
INSIGHT BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL
The direct distribution channel is expected to dominate the water and wastewater pumps market. Certain vendors in the market adopt a dual approach by utilizing both direct and indirect sales channels simultaneously, while others have transitioned exclusively to an indirect sales model to enhance their business operations. However, establishing, executing, and expanding an indirect sales channel poses significant challenges and costs for businesses. In the present market landscape, both direct and indirect sales strategies coexist and carry equivalent significance on their own. Thus, a direct sales channel permits consumers to directly purchase goods from manufacturers. In the water and wastewater pumps market, numerous vendors also offer their products directly through their official websites.
GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
APAC held the largest global water and wastewater pumps market share in 2022, accounting for more than 38%. Strong economic growth, the establishment of new businesses, company expansions, and increased industrial activities are mainly driving the demand for water and wastewater pumps in the region. Infrastructural development, replacement, and launch of wastewater treatment schemes are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. In mature markets such as APAC and Europe, the growth is mainly driven by product innovations introduced by the key players.
In Europe, the water and wastewater pumps market is mainly driven by the rising demand for efficient & advanced pump technology. Entry barriers for market players are high in Europe due to competition based on the aggressive pricing of products. This, in turn, creates a challenge for players to maintain a good market reputation. The European market offers many opportunities for water & wastewater pump exporters. The Netherlands, the UK, and France are examples of countries that are one of the major exporters in the European region.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
The global water and wastewater pumps market is highly fragmented with many top organizations operating in the market. Some of the prominent players in the market are Franklin Electric, Kirloskar Brothers, KSB, Sulzer, Weir, WILO, and Xylem. The ability to use product portfolios, solutions, and services to meet customer needs is a competitive strength in the water and wastewater pumps market. The market approach is to create value for the customers throughout the life cycle of their investments in flow control management. Vendors in the market continue to explore and develop potential new offerings in conjunction with the customers. Vendors are also creating value by optimizing the selection of pumps for the customer’s specific application and providing technical expertise on product and service capabilities. After the pump is constructed and delivered to the customer’s site, vendors continue to create value through their aftermarket capabilities by optimizing the performance of the pump over its operational life.
The water and wastewater pumps market has a high number of large companies operating on a global scale and there are also several smaller, newer entrants in some of our emerging markets. Competition among our closest competitors is generally driven by delivery times, application knowledge, experience, expertise, price, breadth of product offerings, contractual terms, previous installation history, and reputation for quality. Some of our largest industry competitors include - Sulzer Pumps, Ebara, SPX FLOW, and others.