Algaecides Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, & Forecast Segmented By Type (Copper Sulfate, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, Chelated Copper, Peroxyacetic Acid & Hydrogen Dioxide, Dyes & Colorants, Others), By Mode of Action (Non-Selective, Selective), By Application (Surface Water Treatment, Aquaculture, Sport & Recreational Centers, Agriculture, Others), By Form (Liquid, Dry), By Distribution Channel (Direct, Indirect), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.99 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.57%
Fastest Growing Segment	Liquid
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 4.38 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Algaecides Market will grow from USD 2.99 Billion in 2025 to USD 4.38 Billion by 2031 at a 6.57% CAGR. Algaecides are specialized chemical or biological agents formulated to eliminate or control the proliferation of algae in various aquatic environments, ranging from swimming pools and industrial cooling towers to agricultural reservoirs. The primary drivers supporting the market's expansion include the escalating global demand for treated water in municipal and industrial sectors, necessitated by rapid urbanization and the critical need to maintain infrastructure efficiency. Furthermore, the robust growth of the commercial aquaculture industry acts as a distinct structural driver, as intensive fish farming requires rigorous water quality management to prevent yield losses caused by harmful algal blooms.

However, the market faces a significant challenge stemming from increasingly stringent environmental regulations regarding the toxicity of traditional copper-based formulations, which creates barriers to product approval and application in ecologically sensitive regions. Despite these regulatory headwinds, demand in key application sectors remains resilient. According to the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, in November 2025, 55% of surveyed companies reported an increase in the volume of service calls, highlighting sustained consumption of maintenance chemicals within the recreational water treatment segment.

Key Market Drivers

The rising prevalence of harmful algal blooms (HABs), intensified by global warming and pollution, serves as a primary catalyst for the algaecides market. As rising temperatures and nutrient runoff accelerate the frequency of toxic cyanobacterial outbreaks in freshwater reservoirs and coastal zones, utility providers are compelled to adopt advanced chemical treatments to safeguard public health and ecosystem stability. This ecological pressure is driving substantial financial commitments toward mitigation infrastructure and treatment protocols. For instance, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, July 2024, water agencies in the Bay Area announced a projected $11 billion investment to upgrade wastewater facilities specifically aimed at reducing the nutrient loads that trigger these harmful algal events. Such large-scale remediations directly correlate with an increased reliance on algaecidal solutions to manage immediate toxicity levels while long-term structural upgrades are implemented.

Concurrently, the escalating global demand for potable water and municipal water treatment acts as a robust driver for market growth. Rapid urbanization and the expansion of metropolitan infrastructures necessitate rigorous maintenance of water quality standards, requiring continuous suppression of algal bio-fouling in treatment plants, pipelines, and storage reservoirs. To address these expanding requirements, governments and industry bodies are mobilizing historic levels of capital. According to Water UK, December 2024, regulators approved a record £104 billion investment package for water and sewage infrastructure enhancements across England and Wales for the 2025–2030 period. This modernization wave is mirrored in North America, where, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in October 2024, the administration allocated $3.6 billion specifically to upgrade water infrastructure and ensure community safety. These investments underscore a universal shift toward prioritizing water security, ensuring a sustained procurement channel for algaecide formulations.

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Key Market Challenges

The Global Algaecides Market is significantly impeded by stringent environmental regulations regarding the toxicity of traditional copper-based formulations. These heightened regulatory standards, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions, have introduced complex compliance barriers that extend product approval timelines and escalate research and development costs. As manufacturers attempt to navigate these rigorous toxicity thresholds, they must allocate substantial resources toward reformulation and environmental impact studies rather than market expansion. This dynamic restricts the immediate availability of effective algaecidal solutions and discourages investment in established product lines, directly stifling revenue growth in key geographic segments.

The operational strain resulting from these elevated compliance requirements is evident in recent industry data. According to the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates, in October 2025, only one-third of surveyed specialty chemical facilities reported operating under the strict regulatory standards necessary to meet current market requirements, creating a notable supply constraint. This gap in compliance readiness demonstrates how regulatory pressures are actively limiting production capacity and slowing the market's ability to respond to the global demand for water treatment solutions.

Key Market Trends

The integration of IoT and smart water management technologies is fundamentally transforming the Global Algaecides Market by enabling precise, data-driven chemical dosing. Utilities and industrial operators are increasingly deploying real-time sensors and AI-powered analytics to continuously monitor water quality parameters, allowing for the automated release of algaecidal agents only when specific biological thresholds are breached. This transition from schedule-based to demand-based application significantly optimizes resource efficiency and minimizes chemical waste. For instance, according to Solenis, April 2025, in the '2024 Sustainability Report', the company's digital and data-driven ValueAdvantage partner program, which leverages advanced monitoring to optimize chemical treatment protocols, delivered $257 million in value to customers in 2024.

Concurrently, the rising adoption of bio-based and biodegradable formulations is reshaping product portfolios as the industry pivots away from persistent chemistries. Manufacturers are aggressively reformulating their algaecide lines to utilize renewable feedstocks, addressing both stringent environmental toxicity standards and the growing consumer preference for eco-friendly water treatment solutions. This strategic shift limits the accumulation of harmful residues in aquatic ecosystems while maintaining high efficacy against resistant algal strains. Reflecting this sector-wide transition, according to Kemira, February 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024', 52% of the company’s used raw materials are now sourced from renewable or recycled origins, underscoring the rapid industrial move toward sustainable product lifecycles.

Segmental Insights

Market research indicates that the Liquid segment is the fastest-growing category in the Global Algaecides Market. This expansion is primarily driven by the operational advantages of liquid formulations, particularly their ease of handling and immediate dispersibility. Unlike granular options, liquid algaecides require no dissolution phase, providing rapid treatment for expansive water bodies. Their fluid state also enables seamless integration with automated dosing pumps, which are essential for maintaining precise concentration levels in industrial and aquaculture applications. Consequently, these practical benefits are spurring widespread adoption to ensure consistent water quality management.

Regional Insights

Based on comprehensive market analysis, Asia Pacific stands as the leading region in the Global Algaecides Market. This dominance is primarily driven by the region's expansive aquaculture industry, particularly in major economies like China and India, where maintaining optimal water quality for fish and shrimp farming is critical. Furthermore, rapid industrialization and urbanization have escalated the demand for effective surface water and wastewater treatment solutions to control algal blooms. The agricultural sector also contributes significantly to this demand, utilizing algaecides to prevent obstructions in irrigation systems and ensure consistent crop productivity.

Recent Developments

• In November 2024, King Technology launched FROG Pool Solutions, a new line of dry, concentrated specialty chemicals designed to simplify water treatment for pool owners. The product suite included specific algaecide formulations such as a curative treatment for active outbreaks and a 90-day preventative barrier against green, yellow, and black algae. The company highlighted that these prefilled pods were engineered to eliminate the mess and leakage often associated with traditional liquid algaecides. This product launch represented a shift towards more user-friendly, low-maintenance delivery systems in the market, aiming to keep pool water crystal clear while reducing the frequency of chemical dosing required by consumers.
• In July 2024, SePRO Corporation announced a strategic majority investment from Stanley Capital Partners, with additional participation from Goldman Sachs Alternatives. This collaboration was established to accelerate the company’s growth and innovation in the water management and environmental restoration sectors. The investment aimed to enhance the company’s ability to develop and deploy advanced solutions for managing invasive weeds and algae in aquatic environments. The President of SePRO noted that this partnership would provide the resources necessary to expand their portfolio of problem-solving products and technical support, further strengthening their position in the global market for water quality restoration and aquatic protection.
• In April 2024, BlueGreen Water Technologies achieved a significant milestone in the Global Algaecides Market by verifying the removal of approximately 13,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent through its harmful algal bloom remediation. This breakthrough was accomplished at the Mantua Reservoir in Utah using the company’s Net Blue technology, which utilized a floating, time-releasing algaecide formulation. The project, conducted in partnership with local city authorities, demonstrated the dual benefit of restoring aquatic ecosystem health while quantifying atmospheric carbon removal. This development highlighted the potential for algaecide applications to contribute to climate action goals while effectively managing toxic cyanobacteria outbreaks in freshwater resources.
• In April 2024, ProTeam introduced a new product to the algaecide market known as Severest Algae, a copper-blend formulation designed to treat resistant algae strains in swimming pools. This product was developed to function effectively in both chlorine and bromine-sanitized environments, utilizing a triple-chelated formula to prevent surface staining while continuously combating algal growth for days after application. The company positioned this launch to address the needs of pool operators during peak summer months, emphasizing that the treatment allowed for immediate swimming and intensified its performance as water temperatures rose, thereby providing a robust solution for maintaining water clarity.

Key Market Players

• BASF SE
• Lonza AG
• SePRO Corporation
• BioSafe Systems, LLC
• N. Jonas & Company, Inc.
• UPL Ltd.
• Phoenix Products Co.
• Weifang Maochen Chemical Co., Ltd.
• Airmax Corporation
• Oreq Corporation

By Type	By Mode of Action	By Application	By Form	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Copper Sulfate Quaternary Ammonium Compounds Chelated Copper Peroxyacetic Acid & Hydrogen Dioxide Dyes & Colorants Others	Non-Selective Selective	Surface Water Treatment Aquaculture Sport & Recreational Centers Agriculture Others	Liquid Dry	Direct Indirect	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Algaecides Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Algaecides Market, By Type:

• Copper Sulfate
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
• Chelated Copper
• Peroxyacetic Acid & Hydrogen Dioxide
• Dyes & Colorants
• Others

• Algaecides Market, By Mode of Action:

• Non-Selective
• Selective

• Algaecides Market, By Application:

• Surface Water Treatment
• Aquaculture
• Sport & Recreational Centers
• Agriculture
• Others

• Algaecides Market, By Form:

• Liquid
• Dry

• Algaecides Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Direct
• Indirect

• Algaecides Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE