Water Treatment Chemicals Market For Geothermal Power Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Scale Control, Corrosion Control), By Application (Production & Reinjection Wells, Flash Process), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Market Size & Trends

The global water treatment chemicals market for geothermal power size was estimated at USD 8.84 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2024 to 2030. The growth of this market can be attributed to the rise in global demand for clean and renewable energy sources. According to IRENA, the global geothermal electricity capacity was 13,196 MW in 2018 and has reached 14,846 MW in the year 2023.

The growth in utilization of scale control agents can be attributed to their ability to increase efficiency of power generation. Geothermal power plants are environmentally friendly, as they do not burn fuel to generate electricity and release 97% less sulfur compounds and 99% less carbon dioxide than similar-sized fossil fuel plants. Power plant water is often salty and contains impurities, hence it needs to be filtered before it goes to the heat exchanger. If left untreated, the mineral-rich brine can cause scaling issues. Water treatment chemicals can help prevent the presence of salts and metals in discharged water, which can contaminate rivers and lakes.

The water treatment chemical market for geothermal power is necessary, as geothermal water contains many scale and corrosion forming chemical components such as silica, calcium, potassium, sulfate, hydrogen sulfate, fluoride magnesium, and chloride. The plants water contains variable concentrations of gases, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen, as well as smaller quantities of ammonia, boron, mercury, and radon. If this water is left untreated, the mineral-rich geothermal water can cause scaling issues. Geothermal water treatment chemicals are necessary to protect geothermal systems from buildup, which can cause blockages and interruptions.

Chemicals used to treat geothermal water plants include, polyphosphates, azoles, phosphonates, polymaleic acid, and polyacrylate. Geothermal power plants use naturally heated water from deep water underground to generate electricity. This has been used to produce clean and renewable energy which is used to meet the global demand for sustainable electricity production.

The manufacturers of water treatment chemicals for geothermal power products often invest in research & development activities to improve the performance of their products, introduce new formulations of these compounds in the market, and enhance their production processes. For instance, companies like Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A., the company, announced the launch of its product line, Geogard, as the latest range of innovation for geothermal applications. The use of these geogard technologies is associated with important benefits for geothermal operators.

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The water treatment chemicals market for geothermal power is fragmented with the presence of many manufacturers. Water treatment chemicals market for geothermal power comes in various products, such as scale control, and corrosion control.

Companies with a wide or global presence have distribution channels across the world for supplying their products for use in different applications. Water treatment chemicals used in geothermal power applications are provided mainly through business-to-business (B2B) sales channels as these chemicals are mainly used in bulk volume.

Leading market players, such as Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A., Solenis, Ecolab, Kurita Europe GmbH, and Buckman, have wide distribution networks, owing to their global presence. Hence, they are involved in the direct distribution of water treatment chemicals for geothermal power such as Applied Chemicals Switzerland which was appointed as the distributor for Solenis products and services in Switzerland.

Product Insights

The scale control segment dominated the water treatment chemicals market for geothermal power in 2023 and accounted for a revenue share of 63.4%. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the potential risk of mineral deposition and scaling, resulting in a rising demand for scale control in geothermal power plants.

Corrosion control products is essential for maintaining the integrity and efficiency of geothermal power plants. Geothermal fluids, often containing dissolved gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and various salts, create a highly corrosive environment that can degrade metal surfaces of pipes, heat exchangers, and other plant components. This degradation can lead to leaks, system failures, and costly maintenance, thereby reducing the efficiency and lifespan of geothermal power plants.

Application Insights

The flash process segment dominated the water treatment chemicals market for geothermal power in 2023 and accounted for a revenue share of 46.6%. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the surging number of geothermal power projects based on flash process worldwide owing their economic benefits.

The dry stream process helps geothermal operators maintain plant efficiency by preventing scaling and corrosion while minimizing wastewater disposal challenges through water recovery and volume reduction. It is a key application of water treatment chemicals in the market. Geothermal plants can measure silica and other scaling ions in real-time with sensors like ScaleSense to optimize the treatment process. The boosting cooling tower cycles and minimizing blowdown using membrane systems like XtremeRO or FlexEDR. This reduces the amount of wastewater that needs further treatment.

Regional Insights

The market in North America is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period, due to an increase in the number of geothermal power plants and a rise in the production of geothermal energy in the region.

U.S. Water Treatment Chemicals Market For Geothermal Power Trends

The U.S. market is projected to grow during the forecast period, due to the increasing number of geothermal energy projects in the region. This has resulted in the increasing demand for water treatment chemicals for geothermal power to prevent scaling and corrosion.

Asia Pacific Water Treatment Chemicals Market For Geothermal Power Trends

Asia Pacific dominated the market by accounting for a revenue share of 36.8% of the market in 2023. The growth of the market in this region can be attributed to the rise in demand for water treatment chemicals in geothermal power plants in countries such as Indonesia, Japan, Philippines.

China water treatment chemicals market for geothermal power is expected to grow over the forecast period, due to a rise in the number of geothermal projects in the country. This is boosting the demand for water treatment chemicals as a preventative method in geothermal projects to protect the geothermal plants from scaling and corrosion.

Europe Water Treatment Chemicals Market For Geothermal Power Trends

The European market is expected to grow owing to rising demand for these chemicals, water treatment chemicals for geothermal power are primarily used to prevent scaling and corrosion in geothermal power plants.

Germany water treatment chemicals market for geothermal power is witnessing significant product demand. Europe is looking for alternative sources of power which is clean and renewable energy. Increasing demand for electricity, geothermal plants were identified to fulfil this demand for clean and renewable energy.

Central & South America Water Treatment Chemicals Market For Geothermal Power Trends

The market is expected to grow in the region. This growth is attributed to the rising number of geothermal projects and growing investment in geothermal projects. This has led to a rise in demand for water treatment chemicals, which are used to prevent scaling and corrosion in geothermal projects.

Brazil water treatment chemicals market for geothermal power is growing, due to the increasing government initiatives in the country for clean and renewable energy sources. The Brazilian government has launched a vision for renewable energy by 2050, enabling Brazil to be 100% dependent on renewable energy giving an opportunity for rise in renewable energy sources such as geothermal power which are used to generate electricity.

Middle East & Africa Water Treatment Chemicals Market For Geothermal Power Trends

The market is expected to witness growth over the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to a rise in demand for water treatment chemicals for geothermal power plants. The number of geothermal projects in the region is on the rise, leading to increased demand for these chemicals to treat impurities, corrosion, and scaling formation in the water.

South Africa water treatment chemicals market for geothermal power is expected to witness growth during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to a rise in investments in geothermal projects in Africa and southern Africa, which, in turn, has led to a rise in the demand for water treatment chemicals, which are used to prevent scaling and corrosion in geothermal projects

Key Water Treatment Chemicals Market For Geothermal Power Company Insights

Some of the key players operating in the market include Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A., Kurita Europe GmbH, and among others.

• Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A. is a global chemical group specializing in performance additives and solutions for water treatment & solutions lubricants, oil & gas, plastics, and flame retardants. It has a wide range of products that meet the demands of consumers such as personal care. The company operates through 20 manufacturing plants, five in Asia Pacific, nine in EMEA, and six in the Americas. Furthermore, it has sales/distribution subsidiaries in Belgium, Singapore, Japan, Poland, and Brazil.

• The Kurita Group, including Kurita Europe GmbH, is a major supplier of water treatment equipment, chemicals, and services. The company offers technologies and expertise to help reduce operating costs, improve plant availability, and enhance the safety of the plant and its employees. Kurita provides expert advice, customized solutions, and water & process treatment services. It has a presence in over 30 countries and encounters various working environments, business customs & trading practices.

Roemex Limited, Solenis, Ecolab and Buckman among others, are some of the emerging market participants in the market.

• Solenis is one of the prominent producers and suppliers of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries. The company provides its solutions to chemical processing, industrial water, mining & mineral processing, biorefining, oil & gas, power generation, pulp, tissue & towel, packaging paper & board, specialty & wood adhesive, and printing & writing paper industries. The company also offers water solutions for various units such as boiler water, influents & effluents, boiler solutions, and recovery water. It has 69 manufacturing facilities worldwide along with operations spanning 130 countries and 6 continents.

• Ecolab provides hygiene, energy, and water technologies & services worldwide. The company caters its services to various industries such as building & facility, chemical processing, commercial laundries, energy exploration & production, food & beverage processing, food service, healthcare & life sciences, hospitality & life services, pulp & paper, and power generation. The company also provides water treatment services through its subsidiary, Nalco Water. The water treatment service includes boiler water treatment, cooling water treatment, wastewater treatment, and water reuse & recycling.

Recent Developments

• In April 2023, Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A. announced its plans to contribute toward Kenya’s geothermal industrial development. The company is one of the 14 Italian companies working together to support Kenya’s geothermal industrial development through the United Nations Industrial Development Organization - Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO ITPO). The project aimed to help Kenya develop green energy and harness its potential in the geothermal field. The company is expected to assist in geothermal expansion and ensure scale-free and efficient geothermal operations with its geogard scale and corrosion inhibitors.

• In June 2023, Baker Hughes Company made a strategic investment with Baseload Capital, a specialized investment entity that funds the deployment of geothermal heat and power. This investment lays the groundwork for funding high-potential opportunities for development and operation while simultaneously propelling next-generation geothermal technologies from the pilot stage to the commercial scale. This alliance further strengthens Baker Hughes' position in the global geothermal market for technology provision and collaboration as the company continues to expand into new frontiers in renewable energy. The collaboration with Baseload Capital demonstrates Baker Hughes' commitment to innovation and growth in the evolving energy transition landscape.

Water Treatment Chemicals Market For Geothermal Power Report Scope

Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market For Geothermal Power Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global water treatment chemicals market for geothermal power report based on product, application, and region:

• Product Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Thousands, 2018 - 2030)

  • Scale Control

  • Corrosion Control

• Application Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Thousands, 2018 - 2030)

  • Production & Reinjection Wells

  • Flash Process

  • Binary Process

  • Dry Steam Process

  • Cooling Water Systems

  • Turbine Systems

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Thousands, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Turkey

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

    • Indonesia

    • Philippines

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa