Wastewater Treatment Equipment Manufacturers Need to Explore Niche Markets

According to strategic research conducted by Frost & Sullivan, the U.S. wastewater treatment equipment market offers opportunities in niche market segments and in emerging markets waiting to be explored.

Frost & Sullivan's study, U.S. Wastewater Treatment Equipment Markets, offers a detailed analysis of five equipment-based segments in the wastewater treatment equipment industry: Clarification, aeration, disinfection, sludge handling and mixing equipment. In the aeration market, because of the need to obtain more efficient aeration and to increase energy savings, traditional methods such as mechanical aeration are being replaced with diffused aeration. Sludge handling equipment manufacturers have seen a shift in treatment methods as the EPA seeks to eliminate incineration of sludge in favor of land application.

The increase in fees to treat industrial wastewater has been a primary incentive for industrial end users to treat, at least partially, their own wastewater. The industrial market is a potentially large, untapped segment of the wastewater treatment equipment industry, that could be an opportunity for growth. However, industrial markets need to be approached differently than municipal markets, not only in terms of sales, marketing, and distribution strategies, but also the products themselves need to be retrofitted slightly to meet industrial needs.

It is not only the needs of end-users that have changed. To cope with the increasingly competitive market many participants have engaged in structural changes to better accommodate market dynamics. Companies such as U.S. Filter and Infilco Degremont have led the way in a wave of mergers and acquisitions. It is the ultimate goal of these companies to be able to offer any product or service in the water and wastewater industry, whether it is in turn-key systems, process engineering or even operation of public and private facilities.

Frost & Sullivan's study provides a picture of the dynamics of the segments in the industry. The study offers detailed segmentation, each of which includes revenue figures, market shares, technology and market trends, competitive issues and strategies.

For additional information, visit Frost & Sullivan's web site: www.frost.com

Edited by Pam Ahlberg