Wet Scrubber Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Packed Bed, Venturi, Spray), By End-use (Power Generation, Chemical, Cement), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027

Report Overview

The global wet scrubber market size was valued at USD 979.2 million in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% from 2020 to 2027. The growth of the market can be attributed to the sustained growth in the number of coal and gas-fired power plants, coupled with stringent regulations on air pollution control. Wet scrubber is an effective air pollution control device. It eliminates particulate matter and harmful gases from industrial exhausts. The device works by introducing the polluted gas stream with a scrubbing liquid, mostly water, where the polluting matter is collected. It is then treated by a series of cleansing processes to reduce the particulate matter below permissible limits.

The U.S. is one of the prominent countries in North America that is active in monitoring and controlling air pollution. Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Environment Protection Agency has set standards for the quality of air and it implements numerous financial and technical programs to safeguard and control the air pollution, which, in turn, is projected to have a positive impact on the growth of the wet scrubber industry in the country over the forecast period.

Demand for clean air is witnessing an exponential increase every year with rising pollution levels, coupled with growing respiratory issues in urban areas. This is expected to significantly contribute to the growth of the wet scrubber industry. Furthermore, many governments have introduced stringent regulations on air pollution control, which is expected to propel the demand for wet scrubbers over the forecast period.

Air is among the most vital elements for human life and all activities are dependent on it. However, the industrialization era in the last century has substantially contributed to air pollution, especially in urban industrial areas. Unregulated emission of chemicals into the air has rendered some industrial towns and suburbs unfit for human habitation. Therefore, the growing need to control air pollution is expected to benefit the market growth over the forecast period.

Wet scrubbers are capable to handle gases as well as air particulates. This has propelled their demand where controlling air pollution is of major concern. Wet scrubber eliminates pollutant gases by absorbing or dissolving them into a liquid, which also aids in the elimination of explosion and fire hazards as compared to other air pollution control methods since many dry gases are inflammable.

Wet Scrubber Market Trends

Wet scrubber is an industrial air pollution control device which is used to eliminate harmful substances from industrial exhaust gases releasing into the environment. Wet scrubber find its application in a wide range of industries including power generation, chemical, cement, refinery & petrochemicals, and pulp & paper.

Wet scrubbers are primarily used for gaseous emissions (e.g., volatile organic compounds, water soluble inorganic contaminants, and acid gases); however, they can also be used to remove particulate matter pollutants. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, wet scrubbers used for gaseous stream pollutant control are often referred to as absorbers and have removal efficiencies of more than 90% depending on the pollutant absorbed.

Air pollution from coal-fired power plants causes serious concern to human health as these power plants emit a large number of hazardous pollutants. These air pollutants can have serious health effects such as damage to the brain, skin, eyes, and breathing passages along with heart and lung diseases. As a result, majority of national governments have mandated the use of flue gas desulfurization systems in supercritical coal-fired power plants. This, in turn, is expected to lead to a surge in the demand for wet scrubbers in the power generation industry over the forecast period.

In 2019, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) considered the use of exhaust gas scrubbers in order to reduce sulfur emissions in ship vessels, thus ensuring compliance with MARPOL Annex VI, which regulates the emission of main air pollutants, such as NOx and SOx, contained in ships. This is expected to lead to an increased demand for close loop or hybrid wet scrubbers in the marine industry, thereby stimulating market growth over the forecast period.

Wet scrubbers can effectively remove particulate matter and some gases, however, their use in some facilities is limited because of relatively high capital and maintenance costs and high-pressure drop. In addition, wet scrubbers can become easily clogged with the accumulated particulate matter (PM) if the air is being treated for high pollutant concentrations. PM can accumulate in the packing material and can block or restrict the airflow, thereby increasing the overall maintenance and repair costs.

Wet scrubbers are a preferred choice for controlling air pollution caused due to acidic gases in a wide range of industries, however, rising adoption of dry scrubbers on account of their low space requirements, no need for water, and a significant number of applications of dry sludge in the agriculture industry is expected to pose a threat to the manufacturers of wet scrubbers over the coming years.

Product Insights

Based on product, packed bed scrubber led the market and accounted for 44.5% share of the global revenue in 2019. Packed bed scrubber removes organic fumes, gases, vapors, volatile organic compounds, and hazardous air pollutants in particulate form. Packed bed scrubbers are majorly used in chemical, coke and ferroalloy, aluminum, steel mills, asphalt plants, and acid plants.

The venturi scrubber product segment is anticipated to register the fastest growth rate of 8.0% over the forecast period as it is used to collect both gaseous and particulate pollutants. However, it is highly effective in removing gaseous pollutants than particulate matter. Venturi scrubbers are majorly used in power generation, mining, cement, chemical, food, paper, steel, and pharmaceutical industries.

Spray scrubber or spray tower scrubber is the simplest type of wet scrubber. It is used to remove inorganic fumes, hazardous air pollutants in particulate form, vapors, volatile organic compounds, and gases. Spray scrubbers are majorly used in metal processing plants, cement plants, fertilizer plants, chemical, and petrochemical plants.

The others segment includes cyclonic spray tower scrubber, dynamic scrubber, tray tower scrubber, and orifice scrubber. Pollutants collection efficiency of cyclonic spray tower is about 95% for particles larger than 5 µm, but its capital cost, operational cost, and maintenance cost is high owing to its complex design.

End-use Insights

The power generation segment led the market and accounted for 23.2% share of the global revenue in 2019 as power plants are the largest source of sulfur dioxide, acid gases, and mercury. Dependence on fossil fuels and the rise in demand for energy are expected to boost the growth of the power generation segment, which, in turn, is projected to have a positive impact on the wet scrubber industry during the forecast period.

Wet scrubber witnessed large scale adoption in chemical applications, especially in Asia Pacific and Europe. The growing production of chemicals in the world, particularly in India and China, is expected to significantly contribute to the growth of air pollution in the region, thereby leading to the increasing adoption of wet scrubbers in the region.

The use of wet scrubber in the cement industry removes hazardous gases, fumes, and chemicals in the air. The cement industry is one of the prominent industries in the market. It is expected to witness considerable growth over the forecast period owing to the rise in infrastructural development, government initiatives, and increasing building and construction of cement structures.

Wet scrubbers are also used in numerous end-use industries, including refinery and petrochemicals, pulp and paper, metal and mining, textile, and manufacturing. Process demand, government initiatives, employee welfare policies, and health awareness all together favor the market growth.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific accounted for the highest market share of 34.5% in terms of revenue in 2019. The growth of the wet scrubber market in the region is attributed to the growing awareness regarding the health risks associated with air pollution, coupled with rapid industrialization and urbanization in the region. Substantia growth of the petrochemical, power generation, and chemical industries, particularly in India and China, is estimated to drive the market over the forecast period.

The China wet scrubber market is anticipated to be driven by the growing investments in chemical, petrochemical, and cement industries. Factors such as rising population, ongoing urbanization, and the government’s efforts to enhance the country’s infrastructure are expected to favor the growth of the power generation sector, thereby driving the demand for wet scrubbers in the coming years.

North America constituted the third-largest revenue share of the global wet scrubber market in 2019. Air pollution is high in various parts of North America; however, it has improved slightly on account of the progress in technologies and environmental regulations. Air quality policies such as the U.S. Clean Air Act by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and comprehensive emission reduction strategies by Environment Canada is expected to create new avenues for wet scrubber manufacturers over the forecast period.

The Central and South American wet scrubber market is expected to witness a strong growth over the forecast period owing to the presence of key market players along with favorable political industrial policies. Government campaigns such as “Beat Air Pollution” have created awareness regarding air pollution. In addition, national governments of Colombia, Uruguay, Honduras, and Mexico have pledged to find clean air solutions and bring air quality to safe levels by 2030. Furthermore, EPA’s planned activities for contaminated sites, compliance, and enforcement of forestry, mining, and fishery sectors, and the implementation of environmental policies are expected to create new avenues for the manufacturers of wet scrubbers in the region over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market participants compete based on various parameters, including product performance, technical competence, price, quality, and corporate reputation. New product launches, mergers & acquisitions, and licensing agreements are some of the strategies implemented by the participants to gain market share and strengthen their position in the market. The market players are engaged in rigorous research & development to design and develop wet scrubbers that facilitate advanced and superior functioning for various applications. R&D facilities contribute significantly to the growth of the air pollution control market. It compels the manufacturers to grab the opportunities and extend their product and geographic offerings in the market. Some of the prominent players in the wet scrubber market include:

• Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.

• Alfa Laval

• CECO

• DuPont

• Evoqua

• Fuji Electric

• GEA

• Wärtsilä

• Hamon Research-Cottrell

• HZI

• KCH

• Nederman Mikropul

• Tri-Mer

• Verantis

• Yara Marine

Wet Scrubber Market Report Scope

Global Wet Scrubber Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2016 to 2027. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global wet scrubber market report on the basis of product, end-use, and region.

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Packed Bed Scrubber

  • Venturi Scrubber

  • Spray Scrubber

  • Others

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Power Generation

  • Chemical

  • Cement

  • Refinery and Petrochemicals

  • Pulp & Paper

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • U.K.

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

    • Australia

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • UAE

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa