Procurement Market Intelligence Report
Water Treatment Chemicals
Sourcing Guide & Market Intelligence
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Water Treatment Chemicals Global Overview
Definition
Summary
Chemical manufacturers and wholesalers provide water treatment chemicals to a wide range of buyers, including water distributors, paper and pulp producers, printing companies, and agribusiness firms. Products in this market include algaecides, antiscalants, descalers, boiler feed chemicals, odor control chemicals, water softening compounds, demulsifiers, and water fluoridation chemicals. These items are used to treat water in swimming pools and industrial facility wastewater, as well as groundwater in aquifers and surface water in streams, ponds, marshes, and lakes.
This Report Includes:
- Algaecides
- Antiscalants
- Descalers
- Boiler Feed Chemicals
- Odor Control Chemicals
Not in this Report:
- Water Treatment Equipment
- Water Treatment Solutions
Global Water Treatment Chemicals Procurement Trends
Discover the top international trends affecting procurement in the global Water Treatment Chemicals market.
Warning Trends
Tariffs could negatively impact the cleaning equipment and supplies sector
- The Trump Administration’s reciprocal tariffs, which apply general tariff rate increases to most leading US trade partners, are set to take effect on August 7, after the administration finalized the rates on August 1.
- According to CleanLink, increases in tariffs are expected to impact the cleaning equipment and supplies industry by raising the cost of manufacturing and, thus, the price of products. The tariff increase could also spark supply-chain disruptions, which could further put upward pressure on pricing if goods are in limited supply.
- China, a major exporter to the United States of many products in the cleaning equipment and supplies industry, faces a base tariff of 54.0%. Likewise, Germany, a major exporter of chemicals and cleaning products, and the rest of the European Union face a 15.0% tariff, which will raise the cost of imported cleaning supplies and manufacturers' operating costs, putting upward pressure on market prices.
- Canada and Mexico, major sources for a variety of cleaning equipment and supplies, will now face 35.0% and 25.0% tariff rates, respectively, for exports to the United States. These tariffs will make it more difficult for Mexican and Canadian suppliers to compete in the US market, driving up domestic prices and pressuring supply chains.
Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market - Suppliers by Region
| Country/Region | Number of Suppliers |
|---|---|
| #1 China | 1,975 |
| #2 Europe | 1,240 |
| #3 India | 1,020 |
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Geography Drilldown - US, Canada & Europe
Average Cost of Water Treatment Chemicals
United States
2026 Market Pricing$250.00 to $X,XXX.XX
per tonCanada
Europe
Average Price
Prices in the Water Treatment Chemicals market range from $250.00 to $X,XXX.XX, depending on Chemical Type, Volume and Purpose of Chemical and Chemical Form. For example, lower prices are associated with Aluminum sulfate ($250 to $2,250 per ton), Lime ($250 to $2,250 per ton) and Chlorine ($250 to $2,000 per ton), whereas higher prices are associated with Activated carbon ($500 to $3,000 per ton) and Potassium permanganate ($500 to $3,000 per ton).
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Water Treatment Chemicals Category Price Trends
Pricing trends are indicated by the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during a set period of time. For the Water Treatment Chemicals market, prices in the US have declined -0.6% from 2022 to 2025. and --0.7% in Europe.
United States (2022-2025)
Canada (2016-2019)
Compound Annual Growth Rate
Europe (2022-2025)
Compound Annual Growth Rate
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Price trend forecasts are available to subscribers, along with price driver projections and forward-looking cost structure data.
Cost Analysis - Total Cost of Ownership for Water Treatment Chemicals
Total cost of ownership is Medium in the Water Treatment Chemicals market. The average cost of ownership differs depending on the contract but generally includes costs negotiated before the contract begins, costs billed during the contract period and unforeseen costs. For example, unforeseen costs in the form of Spoilage may raise the total cost of ownership unexpectedly.
Negotiated Before
Transportation
Set Up Fees
Billed During
Consumables
Handling
Unforeseen
Spoilage
Buyer Power in Procurement Negotiations
In 2026, buyer power amounts to -1.5 in the United States. Buyer power is most positively impacted by Recent Developments. It is most negatively impacted by Product Specialization. Subscribers can access details on eight other factors that impact buyer power. Learn more
United States
Canada
Europe
Buyer power forecasts: your glimpse into the future
Develop strategies for the upcoming year and identify unforeseen opportunities for buying now
- Actionable "Buy Now" and "Buy Later" insights
- Near-real-time updates to current and forecast Buyer Power Scores
- Methodology and weightings for Buyer Power Score Components
Supply Chain Risk
The average level of supply chain risk is assessed as High, which has a negative impact on buyer power. The level of supply chain risk is affected by industry volatility, barriers to entry, competition, import penetration, regulation and industry financial risk. Buyers in this market can mitigate procurement and supply chain management risks by monitoring risk levels for individual first and second tier suppliers:
1st
Tier Suppliers
- Inorganic Chemical Manufacturers
- Industrial Machinery Wholesalers
- Electric Power Transmission Suppliers
- Petroleum Manufacturers
2nd
Tier Suppliers
- Mineral & Phosphate Miners
- Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturers
- Coal & Natural Gas Providers
- Oil & Gas Extraction Firms
Biggest Water Treatment Chemicals Suppliers in the US by Revenue
The largest Water Treatment Chemicals vendors by revenue in the US are Enviri Corporation, USALCO LLC and Univar Inc. Subscribers can sort and filter by market share concentration, profit level and other factors. Learn more
| Supplier | Operational Size | Headquarters | Number of Employees | Market Share (%) | Market Share Performance (3yr trend) | Total Revenue ($ million) | Profit Level (%) | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solenis International LLC | Global | Wilmington, DE | 1,001-10,000 | 10-15 | ||||
| Dow Inc. | Global | MIDLAND, MI | >10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| Brenntag AG | Global | Essen, DE | >10,001 | 5-10 | ||||
| Olin Corporation | Global | CLAYTON, MO | 1,001-10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| Veolia Environnement | Global | Aubervilliers, FR | >10,001 | < 5 | ||||
| Ecolab Inc. | Global | SAINT PAUL, MN | >10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Univar Inc. | Global | DOWNERS GROVE, IL | 1,001-10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Veralto Corporation | Global | WALTHAM | >10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Lubrizol Corp | Global | Wickliffe, OH | 1,001-10,000 | < 5 | ||||
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Subscribers can access vendor information on Canadian and European suppliers, too. We also offer custom research services to help with vendor sourcing anywhere in the world.
Profit Analysis
The average profit margin across vendors in the Water Treatment Chemicals market is 5.9% and steady. Profit levels shift depending on suppliers' spend on wages, purchases and overhead. The highest cost component for vendors is Overhead. The cost trend for this component is stagnating, when considering movement between 2025 and 2026. To understand cost forecasts for 2027 and uncover the implications on profit, start your subscription. Learn more
Vendor & Supply Chain Analysis
Average vendor risk has been moderate during the past three years due to ongoing input supply chain issues. To alleviate potential these risks, operators should ensure that they have a steady supply of inputs from multiple sources.
Higher tariffs on chemical inputs have increased the potential for supply chain disruptions and created new complexities for global chemical trade operations. Suppliers in need of new machinery in their manufacturing plants and warehouses face lower supply chain risk since material handling equipment is sourced infrequently, but are still subject to import tariffs placed on various types of material handling equipment.
Market share concentration among suppliers is medium, whereby the top four suppliers account for between 30.0% and 45.0% of total market revenue. The medium level of market share concentration discourages price competition among top vendors.
The United States is a net importer of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine, meaning it imports more than it exports, benefitting US buyers due to increased price competition and wider available chemicals. However, buyers face tariff risks when importing from foreign countries, and may need to assess international manufacturers' quality standards and production capacities, with considerations like the expected lead times for delivery, quality and safety certifications, and the compatibility of the manufactured goods with US standards.
Supplier Information
Solenis International LLC
Solenis International LLC is a private company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include water treatment chemicals. Founded in 2014, the company is currently headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, United States of America with an estimated 5500 employees. Subscribe to learn more
Brenntag AG
Brenntag AG is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include pesticides, diesel exhaust fluid (def), water treatment chemicals and industrial absorbents. Founded in 1874, the company is currently headquartered in Essen, Germany with an estimated employee Subscribe to learn more
Dow Inc.
Dow Inc. is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing, information and professional, scientific and technical services sectors. The company's offerings include detergent, plasticizers, preservatives, waterproofing coatings, methanol. Founded in 1897, the company is currently headquartered in... Subscribe to learn more
Olin Corporation
Olin Corporation is a global manufacturer and distributor of chemical products and ammunition. It organizes its business into three segments: the Chlor Alkali Products and Vinyls segment, which produces chlorine and caustic soda, ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride monomer, methyl chloride, methylene chloride,... Subscribe to learn more
Ecolab Inc.
Ecolab Inc. is a public company operating globally in the construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade and administration, business support and waste management services sectors. The company's offerings include detergent, water treatment chemicals, janitorial supplies, degreasers, disinfectants. Founded in... Subscribe to learn more
Enviri Corporation
Enviri Corporation is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include water treatment chemicals. Founded in 1853, the company is currently headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America with an estimated employee count of over 10,000.... Subscribe to learn more
Lubrizol Corp
Lubrizol Corp is a private company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include commercial cpvc pipes and water treatment chemicals. Founded in 1928, the company is currently headquartered in Wickliffe, Ohio, United States of America with an estimated 8800 employees. Subscribe to learn more
Univar Inc.
Univar Inc. is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include pesticides, detergent, drilling fluids, water treatment chemicals, industrial absorbents. Founded in 1924, the company is currently headquartered in DOWNERS GROVE, Illinois, United States of America... Subscribe to learn more
USALCO LLC
USALCO LLC is a private company operating internationally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include water treatment chemicals. Founded in 1980, the company is currently headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America with an estimated 750 employees. Subscribe to learn more
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Procurement Management KPIs for the Water Treatment Chemicals Market
Managing vendor performance throughout the contract period is easier when tracking specific key performance indicators (KPIs). For example, buyers should monitor Customer Complaints and Delivery In Full On Time Rate. Buyers may experience better performance throughout their contracts if they establish service level agreements (SLAs) based on Compliance and other factors.
| KPI | Level of Importance (1-5) | Measurements | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Complaints |
|
Total complaints per year Average complaints per delivery |
The number of customer complaints can be used as an indicator of quality for water treatment chemicals and services. Buyers should review complaints received by the supplier and determine what their acceptable level of complaints is before seeking new vendors. |
| Delivery In Full On Time Rate |
|
Days between order and shipping date Days between order date and delivery |
Buyers need to consider both the time it takes between placing the order and when the order leaves the vendor, as well as the delivery date to gauge the productivity of their fulfillment operations. Buyers should consider the size of their order and the type of the product being order in order to set their expectations appropriately. |
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Questions to Ask During Procurement Negotiations
How can I gain leverage during negotiations?
Shipping
Could you provide a list of your distribution facilities locations, domestically, and internationally?
Is shipping being affected by the coronavirus outbreak? What type of delays should be expected?
Supply Chain Risk
Over the past three years, what percentage of your revenue has been dedicated to raw input materials? How has that changed?
How have fluctuations in input prices affected the prices of your products during the past three years?
Regulation
How do you manage regulatory change? Do you have regulation advisers or methods to track regulation?
How have changing regulations influenced your pricing now and how will the changes affect prices over the life our proposed agreement?
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Water Treatment Chemicals RFP Guidelines
What should my RFP include?
Organizational Overview
Buyers should describe their organizational structure.
Buyers should state how they intend to use the chemicals and for what purpose or application they are procuring the products.
Statement Of Need
Buyers should state whether they require specialized products and should fully explain their specifications.
Buyers should indicate their preferred container type (e.g., gallons and barrels) and the estimated quantity required for each shipment.
Project Budget
Buyers should state the maximum budget for the contract.
Buyers should dictate how and when price increases must be communicated.
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We display average pricing information, trends and market data.
Our Reports include:
- Opportunity assessment
- Market dynamics
- Recent developments
- Positive and warning trends
- Buyer power levers
- Price environment and market pricing
- Geographic wage rates
- Global market updates
- Total cost of ownership
- Cost structure benchmarks and analysis
- Supply chain and vendors
- Global supplier breakdown
- Market share concentration
- Regulation and business requirements
- Vendor management and KPIs
- Sourcing strategy guidance
