UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market By Type (Coagulants & Flocculants, Corrosion Inhibitors, Scale Inhibitors, Biocides & Disinfectants, Chelating Agents, Others), By End User (Industrial, Commercial, Residential), By Application (Water Desalination, Raw Water Treatment, Boiler Water Treatment, Cooling Water Treatment, Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market was valued at USD 253.43 Million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 284.23 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 2.13% during the forecast period. UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market is anticipated to grow significantly due to the burgeoning demand for fresh water for drinking as well as residential purposes, increasing adoption of water treatment chemicals in the industrial sector, supportive government policy, and rising demand for the desalination plant. According to the World Health Organization, 663 million people lack access to improved drinking water worldwide while 1.8 billion people use contaminated drinking water. The UAE is situated in a desert region with extremely limited availability of freshwater resources such as lakes, glaciers, and rivers. Due to low annual rainfall and limited natural water sources, the region experiences significant water scarcity challenges.

Therefore, water treatment plants play a crucial role in treating and recycling available water resources, including wastewater and seawater, and meet the growing freshwater demand for household and drinking purposes. Over the past few decades, the UAE has experienced rapid population growth and urbanization due to increasing population and migration. The increasing population positions an additional burden on water resources and makes water treatment chemicals a necessity for treating and recycling water. Hence, the region has rising demand for water treatment chemicals in UAE to ensure a sustainable supply for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use.

Key Market Drivers

Increasing Demand from End-User industries 

The increasing demand from end-user industries in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a significant driver for the demand for water treatment chemicals. In past decades, the UAE has undergone substantial industrial growth in sectors such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, power generation, manufacturing, and food and beverage. The UAE lies among those countries that have the world’s highest per capita consumption of bottled water 285 liters per year. The industries mentioned above need large quantities of water for their production processes, machinery cooling systems, and various other operational needs. In Water treatment chemicals play an essential role in treating and recycle the water to ensure that the product meets with specific quality requirements of each industry. Different end-user industries in the UAE are subject to stringent water quality standards and regulatory requirements. Hence to comply with these regulations, it is crucial to ensure the health and safety of employees, protect the environment, and meet international standards for product quality. In such situations, water treatment chemicals play a vital role in maintaining water quality and meeting regulatory requirements by addressing issues such as pH control, disinfection, scale and corrosion prevention, and wastewater treatment. Additionally, the rising emphasis on water reuse in industrial and municipal applications, exemplified by Abu Dhabi’s treatment of approximately 600 million m³ of wastewater annually, contributes to growing chemical consumption. Of this, around 352 million m³ is reused for landscaping and district cooling, necessitating reliable and continuous chemical treatment solutions. The growth is primarily fueled by the expanding industrial base, which requires extensive use of chemicals for processes such as boiler feed water treatment, cooling tower maintenance, and wastewater recycling. Water reuse and recycling have become important strategies in the UAE to deal with the scarcity of freshwater. As an outcome, industries in the region are adopting water reuse practices to optimize water consumption and minimize the burden on freshwater sources. Water treatment chemicals are used to treat and disinfect recycled water, removing impurities and contaminants to make it suitable for reuse in various industrial processes. Furthermore, the UAE's thriving tourism and hospitality sector requires large amounts of water to support hotels, resorts, recreational facilities, and other amenities. Hence, to ensure a safe and pleasant experience for tourists and guests, water treatment chemicals help administrators to maintain water quality in pools, spas, cooling systems, and drinking water. These chemicals play a crucial role in maintaining water quality, meeting industry-specific requirements, and supporting the country's economic growth while minimizing the environmental impact. Therefore, the increasing demand from these end-user industries coupled with the UAE's focus on sustainable water management and regulatory compliance is a key driver for the UAE water treatment chemicals market in the projected period.

Growing Demand from Desalination Plants 

The growing demand for desalination plants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a direct impact on the demand for water treatment chemicals in the region. Desalination is a crucial process in the UAE, where there is a shortage of freshwater resources and abundant seawater is converted into freshwater suitable for various uses. As per the UAE government statement, the UAE meets 42 percent of its drinking water needs through desalination, and agriculture accounts for 60 percent of the total freshwater consumption. The desalination process involves the removal of salts, minerals, and impurities from seawater in which effective water treatment chemicals are required. These chemicals are used for pre-treatment, membrane cleaning, disinfection, and post-treatment to ensure the production of high-quality desalinated water. The UAE has a limited supply of freshwater sources, and desalination plants are a major means of meeting the growing water need in the region. The demand for desalinated water is increasing as the population grows, and various industries expand in the region. Industries in the UAE region alone consume around 9 percent of all water consumption in the country. Consequently, the demand for water treatment chemicals used in desalination plants also rises to ensure the efficient and reliable operation of these facilities. Desalinated water must meet strict quality standards and regulatory requirements for human consumption and industrial use. Currently, approximately 42% of the UAE’s drinking water is produced through desalination, with the government continuing to invest in expanding this capacity under strategic initiatives like the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036. This reliance necessitates a consistent and increasing supply of water treatment chemicals, which are critical in every stage of the desalination process including pre-treatment, membrane cleaning, antiscalants, corrosion inhibitors, and post-treatment conditioning. The UAE continues to invest in new desalination plants, with projects in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Umm Al Qaiwain valued at USD 2.08 billion, reports the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. For instance, the recent launch of the Taweelah RO desalination plant, one of the largest in the world, has notably increased demand for high-performance treatment formulations. The Taweelah plant, located in the UAE, has a capacity of 909,000 cubic meters per day, making it the largest reverse osmosis desalination plant in operation. This rise in RO-based plant installations across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and other emirates has resulted in growing consumption of chemicals such as coagulants, biocides, scale inhibitors, and pH adjusters. For addressing issues such as fouling, scaling, biofouling, and disinfection water treatment chemicals play a crucial role in maintaining water quality throughout the desalination process. Compliance with water quality standards drives the demand for appropriate treatment chemicals to ensure the production of safe and reliable drinking water. Regular maintenance and cleaning of desalination plants are necessary to optimize their efficiency and lifespan. Water treatment chemicals are used for membrane cleaning, scale and fouling prevention, and corrosion control within the plant infrastructure. The demand for these chemicals is directly related to the number of desalination plants in operation and their maintenance requirements.

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Key Market Challenges

Lack of Public Awareness and Education

Despite the crucial significance of water treatment chemicals, there persists a lack of public awareness and education. A considerable number of UAE residents remain uninformed about the intricate processes and chemicals required to ensure the availability of clean and safe water. Lack of awareness about water treatment chemicals can lead to misconceptions about water safety. A well-informed public is crucial to ensuring confidence in the quality of drinking water and preventing health-related concerns. Insufficient awareness poses a constraint on public engagement and support for water treatment initiatives. This impedes the collaborative endeavor to enhance water treatment processes, thereby diminishing the impact of infrastructure investments and constraining the growth potential of the water treatment chemicals market.

Fluctuations in Economy

Economic fluctuations often affect industrial production levels. Reduced industrial output can result in lower demand for water treatment chemicals used in industrial processes, such as cooling water treatment and wastewater management. The tourism and commercial sectors are integral to the UAE's economy, exerting significant influence. Economic downturns can result in reduced activity within these sectors, impacting water demand for hotels, restaurants, and other commercial establishments that depend on water treatment chemicals. Moreover, infrastructure projects, such as the construction of water treatment plants and desalination facilities, may experience delays or postponements during periods of economic uncertainty. This can impede the implementation of advanced water treatment technologies.

Key Market Trends

Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance

The UAE has acknowledged the critical significance of strong regulatory frameworks in ensuring the secure and effective treatment of water. Regulatory compliance acts as a fundamental pillar for the water treatment chemicals market, exerting influence on its dynamics in multiple ways. Regulatory compliance ensures that treated water meets the highest standards of quality and safety. The adherence to regulations prevents contamination and the presence of harmful substances, safeguarding public health and well-being. Regulatory frameworks frequently integrate sustainability principles, fostering the utilization of environmentally friendly and low-impact chemicals. With the government’s heightened focus on environmental sustainability and public health, industries are under increasing pressure to adhere to strict water discharge and reuse standards. Regulatory frameworks enforced by entities such as the Environment Agency , Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Dubai Municipality mandate the treatment of industrial effluents and process water in accordance with stringent UAE and GCC environmental guidelines. This trend has directly influenced the demand for high-performance, certified water treatment chemicals that can ensure safe, efficient, and compliant water treatment process. This fosters the advancement and implementation of water treatment solutions that align with the UAE's dedication to environmental stewardship. Quality assurance practices facilitate the development of cutting-edge chemical formulations that optimize the treatment process, enhance efficiency, and elevate the overall performance of water treatment systems. Quality assurance practices often incorporate traceability mechanisms, allowing for the tracking of chemical ingredients from production to application. This transparency enhances accountability and ensures the integrity of the supply chain. Moreover, quality assurance measures guarantee consistent quality across batches of water treatment chemicals. Maintaining consistency is crucial for achieving predictable and reliable treatment outcomes.

Segmental Insights

Type Insights

Based on Type, Biocides & Disinfectants emerged as the fastest growing segment in the UAE market for Water Treatment Chemicals during the forecast period. This growth is primarily driven by increasing regulatory focus on water hygiene, especially in sectors such as desalination, industrial processing, and municipal water treatment. Biocides and disinfectants are essential for controlling microbial activity, preventing biofouling, and ensuring the safety of treated water requirements that have become more stringent in recent years due to rising public health standards and environmental regulations. The UAE’s expanding desalination capacity and reuse of treated wastewater have further amplified the demand for these chemicals, which play a critical role in maintaining the microbiological integrity of large-scale water systems. Moreover, the post-pandemic emphasis on sanitation has accelerated the adoption of high-performance and environmentally safe biocidal solutions. While coagulants and flocculants continue to lead in terms of volume, biocides and disinfectants are experiencing the highest growth rate, supported by innovation, regulatory compliance requirements, and heightened awareness of waterborne health risks.

Application Insights

Based on Application, Water Desalination emerged as the dominating segment in the UAE market for Water Treatment Chemicals in 2024. This is attributed to the nation’s geographical and climatic constraints. With extremely limited freshwater resources and low annual rainfall, the UAE depends extensively on desalination to meet the water needs of its residential, industrial, and agricultural sectors. In line with its long-term vision, the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 has been established to ensure sustainable and uninterrupted access to water, even during emergencies. Desalination, particularly through thermal technologies such as multiple-effect distillation (MED) and multi-stage flash (MSF), remains the primary method for producing potable water, supported increasingly by reverse osmosis (RO) systems. Today, approximately 70 major desalination plants across the country are responsible for producing the majority of the UAE’s drinking water, accounting for roughly 14% of global desalinated water output. These complex processes require a consistent supply of specialized treatment chemicals including biocides, corrosion inhibitors, and membrane cleaners to maintain operational efficiency and extend plant life cycles. With ongoing investments in expanding desalination capacity and a strong governmental focus on sustainable water reuse and energy-efficient solutions, there is a growing need for advanced, environmentally friendly chemical formulations. This convergence of strategic necessity, technological advancement, and policy-driven infrastructure development firmly positions desalination as the most significant and fastest-growing application area within the UAE water treatment chemicals market.

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Regional Insights

Based on Region, Abu Dhabi emerged as the dominant region in the UAE market for Water Treatment Chemicals in 2024. This is due to its substantial industrial base and strategic focus on large-scale desalination projects. As the capital and largest emirate by area, Abu Dhabi is home to extensive oil and gas operations, power generation facilities, and heavy industries all of which require vast quantities of treated water for processes such as cooling, boiler feed, and wastewater management. The emirate also hosts some of the most advanced and high-capacity desalination plants in the region, including the Taweelah reverse osmosis facility, which significantly contributes to its high demand for specialized water treatment chemicals. Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have developed a cutting-edge cationic covalent organic framework (COF) capable of effectively detecting and removing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a persistent and hazardous contaminant from drinking water. The breakthrough, detailed in Nature Communications under the title Cationic Covalent Organic Framework for the Fluorescent Sensing and Cooperative Adsorption of Perfluorooctanoic Acid, presents a significantly faster and more efficient alternative to current technologies. This innovation holds the potential to revolutionize water purification processes and substantially enhance global water quality. Furthermore, Abu Dhabi’s government has prioritized water security and sustainability through ambitious initiatives like the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, encouraging investments in cutting-edge water treatment technologies and infrastructure. This combination of industrial demand, infrastructural scale, and forward-looking policies positions Abu Dhabi as the leading regional market for water treatment chemicals in the UAE.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, two bidding consortiums, one led by Metito and the other by Emirates Utilities Development Company (EUCD), a subsidiary of Etihad Water & Electricity (Etihad WE) submitted proposals for the development and operation of a major wastewater treatment plant in Ras Al-Khaimah, a northern emirate of the UAE. The Rakwa wastewater infrastructure project involves the construction of a treatment facility with an initial capacity of 60,000 cubic metres per day, with the potential to expand to 150,000 cubic metres per day. Bids for the project were officially submitted to Ras Al-Khaimah’s Public Services Department and Investment & Development Office.
• In February 2025, Metito Utilities, a global leader in sustainable water solutions, signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), SACE, and ACEA S.p.A. to lead the development of key water infrastructure projects across Africa, the UAE, and other underserved regions.
• In December 2024, Metito implemented a significant restructuring initiative by separating its core business segments into three distinct group entities: Metito Utilities, Metipro, and Metichem. This strategic move aligns with the company’s broader growth objectives, focusing on operational efficiency and accelerated expansion. Metito Utilities, which has traditionally functioned as an independent entity, will maintain its focus on investing in, developing, and managing long-term water and wastewater concession projects.
• In September 2024, SUEZ, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), Siemens, and Middle East and Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly participate in the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, a five-year global competition aimed at developing innovative, sustainable, and affordable desalination technologies for emerging markets. Under this agreement, TAQA’s power and water division will collaborate with SUEZ and Siemens to form an international team focused on designing and demonstrating a next-generation desalination solution that reduces energy consumption and enhances cost-efficiency, with the goal of making desalinated water more accessible and environmentally sustainable worldwide.

Key Market Players

• Green Water Treatment Solutions LTD.
• SVS Global FZ LLC
• Taj Al Mulook General Trading LLC
• Ibn Al Haj Chemicals LLC
• Al Khowahir Chemicals Material Trading LLC
• Fluidz UAE LLC
• Eflochem Chemicals Blending Co
• REDA Industrial Materials FZE UAE
• BASF FZE
• Culligan Middle East FZE

Report Scope:

In this report, the UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market, By Type:
• Coagulants & Flocculants
• Corrosion Inhibitors
• Scale Inhibitors
• Biocides & Disinfectants
• Chelating Agents
• Others
• UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market, By Application:
• Water Desalination
• Raw Water Treatment
• Boiler Water Treatment
• Cooling Water Treatment
• Others

·       UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market, By End-User:

• Industrial
• Commercial
• Residential

·         UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market, By Region:

• Dubai
• Abu Dhabi
• Sharjah
• Rest of UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market.

Available Customizations:

UAE Water Treatment Chemicals Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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