Water Softener Market by End-user, Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027

Global Water Softener Market Forecast 2023-2027

The Global Water Softener Market Size is estimated to grow by USD 879.16 million between 2022 and 2027, accelerating at a CAGR of 8.5%. Growing consumer awareness about water-softening products and the benefits of water-softener systems is a primary factor driving the market growth. Soft water is free of minerals that cause water hardness, making it easier for soaps and detergents to dissolve and reducing the need for cleaning products by over 50%. It also prevents skin and hair irritation and clogging of pipes and appliances, prolonging their lifespan. Water softeners are extremely effective products for household appliances.  

However, water from salt-based softeners contains high levels of sodium and needs further treatment before being used for cooking or drinking. Nonetheless, it can be used for daily tasks like bathing, running appliances, and washing utensils. Due to the depletion and degradation of freshwater sources, water softeners are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in POE systems. As a result, sales of water softeners are expected to rise during the forecast period.

What will be the Water Softener Market Size During the Forecast Period?

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Market Segmentation

This market report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (residential and commercial), product (salt-based and salt-free), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). It also includes an in-depth analysis of drivers, trends, and challenges.

End-User Analysis

The market share growth by the residential segment will be significant during the forecast period. The rapid growth in urbanization, government funding for housing projects, low-interest rates on housing loans, and the growing popularity of high-rise residential buildings are expected to boost the global residential construction market during the forecast period. According to The World Bank Group, 2021, the global urban population increased from 56% in 2019 to 57.11% in 2021. Such a rise in urbanization will increase the demand for residential buildings in urban areas. Such factors will increase segment growth during the forecast period.

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The residential segment was valued at USD 1.07 billion in 2017 and continued to grow by 2021. The use of water softeners reduces the time taken to clean a home, decreases the need for harsh chemicals used to remove scale buildup, and ensures appliances run efficiently. They use a technology that naturally conditions water and minimizes scaling. It helps to reduce existing and prevent new scale formation, thereby protecting plumbing works, dishes, and home appliances. Such benefits offered by water softeners are likely to increase their demand among residential consumers during the forecast period. 

Product Analysis

Based on the product, the salt-based segment is dominating the market. Salt-based systems are popular for providing soft water and are expected to attract more customers. However, these systems have environmental concerns due to water wastage during regeneration and high installation costs. They are recommended for homeowners with extreme water hardness levels. Some consumers in North America prefer salt-free systems. Salt-based systems remove essential nutrients like calcium and magnesium and replace them with sodium, which can pose health risks, particularly for people with high blood pressure and kidney or heart issues. Some US states have banned salt-based systems due to the high sodium content and water wastage, impacting the environment.

Geographical Analysis

North America is estimated to contribute 33% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio’s analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period.

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The region has a stable growth rate, with most US states having hard water due to limestone surfaces. While the municipal water supply is not treated for hardness, consumers in North America are increasingly opting for advanced and automatic systems. This trend is driven by factors such as growing consumer awareness, increasing expenditure on discretionary products, promotions by marketers, and rising homeownership among Millennials. These factors are expected to increase the adoption in North America during the forecast period.

Market Dynamics and Customer Landscape

The market is driven by various factors and trends. Firstly, the increasing awareness of environmental apprehensions and health concerns related to hard water, containing high levels of calcium and magnesium, is driving the demand for water softeners. Industries such as chemical factories and the chemical industry require efficient water treatment systems to mitigate scale buildup in equipment, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing maintenance costs. Additionally, the rising popularity of dishwashers and washing machines in residential sectors increases the need for these solutions to prevent scale buildup and improve appliance lifespan. 

Moreover, advancements in technology, such as the development of Salt-free water softening systems and partnerships with innovative companies like Nirvana Water Sciences, are driving market growth. These systems offer sustainable alternatives to traditional salt-based methods, catering to environmental concerns and strict regulations. The trend towards mergers and acquisitions in the manufacturing sector further strengthens the market, leading to the introduction of added functionalities and improved efficiency in water softening systems. Overall, the Water Softener market is expected to witness significant expansion as populations grow, environmental awareness increases, and industries prioritize the adoption of sustainable products and technologies.

Our researchers analyzed the data with 2022 as the base year and the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.

Key Market Drivers

The Water Softener market is driven by several key factors. Firstly, there is a notable increase in savings on energy and cost, as well as an improvement in the life cycle of water-dependent home appliances. Water softening systems play a crucial role in extending the lifespan of appliances such as water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers by preventing the buildup of limescale. This buildup can cause blockages and reduce the efficiency of these appliances, leading to higher maintenance costs and energy consumption. Additionally, the use of water softeners reduces the need for soaps and detergents, further contributing to cost savings and environmental benefits.

Moreover, partnerships and mergers within the industry, such as those involving companies like Nirvana Water Sciences, drive innovation and market growth. Collaborations enable the development of advanced technologies, including salt-free water softening systems and reverse osmosis (RO) purifiers, which address environmental apprehensions and cater to the needs of consumers in low-income regions. Overall, the market is propelled by the dual benefits of cost savings and environmental sustainability, making water softeners increasingly indispensable for households and industries alike.

Significant Market Trends

The emergence of recent technological advances to improve the efficiency of water, salt, and regeneration is a major trend driving the market. To address environmental concerns, manufacturers, customers, and governments are seeking sustainable and eco-friendly products. Key manufacturers are introducing technologically advanced water softening systems that reduce water wastage and consumption by up to 20% during the regeneration process, as well as improve salt efficiency. Some manufacturers have introduced demand-initiated regeneration (DIR) systems that reduce the frequency of product regeneration and the sodium and chloride contribution from water softeners. For instance, Culligan's Culligan Connect app offers product information, manual regeneration, and a bypass option that only softens water when needed. Similarly, Water-Right Inc.'s Wripli mobile app allows users to receive alerts, monitor water usage, and adjust regeneration cycles. These technological advancements are expected to drive the global market in the coming years.

Major Market Challenges

Salt-based water softener systems pose a major challenge for the market. Salt-based variants use NaCl, which breaks down into sodium and chloride ions in the wastewater treatment plant, and these can negatively impact the local ecosystem. High concentrations of sodium and potassium in soft water can lead to soil compaction, limit nutrient absorption, and reduce plant growth. Discharging salt brine into sewer lines can make it difficult for sanitation departments to recycle the water. Additionally, the backwashing filtration system wastes thousands of gallons of water each year, increasing the total dissolved solids in groundwater and reclaimed wastewater. These factors pose a threat to the growth of the market, which may be impacted by environmental concerns.

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Who are the Major Water Softener Market Players?

Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the Water Softener Market. One of the major players in the market include:

Kinetico Inc.- The key offering of the company is water softeners such as Automatic 40, Automatic 8L and Autosoft 25L. The company also offers an Aerator, Arsenic Guard, Calcite Backwashing Filter, Chloramine Reduction System, Dechlorinator, Macrolite Backwashing Filter, Neutralizer, Powerline PRO Series Filters, Scale Reduction System (SRS), and Sulfur Guard Backwashing Filter.

The report also includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about 15 market players, including:

• A. O. Smith Corp.
• Aquia Water Treatment Systems LLC
• BWT Holding GmbH
• Culligan International Co.
• Enviro Water Products
• EVOQUA WATER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
• Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd.
• Harvey Water Softeners Ltd.
• Honeywell International Inc
• Indian Ion Exchange and Chemicals Ltd.
• KENT RO Systems Ltd.
• NuvoH20 LLC
• Pearl Water Technologies
• Pentair Plc
• Pure Aqua Inc.
• Unilever PLC
• US Water Systems Inc.
• Whirlpool Corp.
• 3M Co.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of vendors has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified. Furthermore, it is also quantitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.

Segment Overview

The market research report forecasts market growth by revenue at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the latest trends and growth opportunities from 2017 to 2027. 

• End-User Outlook
  • Residential
  • Commercial
• Product Outlook
  • Salt-based
  • Salt-free
• Region Outlook 
  • North America
    • The U.S.
    • Canada
  • Europe
    • The U.K.
    • Germany
    • France
    • Rest of Europe
  • APAC
    • China
    • India
  • South America
    • Chile
    • Argentina
    • Brazil
  • Middle East & Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • South Africa
    • Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Market Analyst Overview

The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by various factors and technological advancements such as 3G AQUA and 5G AQUA technology. With concerns over environmental apprehensions and health problems associated with polluted hard water, the demand for water softeners is on the rise, particularly in residential applications and low-income regions. Start-up companies like Nirvana Water Sciences are introducing innovative solutions, including salt-based and salt-free water softening systems, to address the need for sustainable products and comply with strict regulations. These systems utilize both chemical and physical methods, such as distillation and reverse osmosis, to ensure water purity, making them essential fixtures in plumbing systems across residential and industrial sectors. As the food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, and textile industries prioritize water quality for manufacturing processes, the market continues to witness product launches and added functionalities to meet diverse industrial and residential needs, ensuring safe and clean water for all.

Additionally, the market is witnessing rapid expansion, driven by various industries and sectors. The chemical industry, including chemical factories, relies heavily on water softeners to maintain equipment efficiency and prevent damage caused by hard water. Both residential and industrial sectors, such as power generation, refineries, and textile industries, prioritize water quality to ensure smooth operations and equipment longevity. The food and beverage industry, along with pharmaceuticals, also relies to meet stringent quality standards. These systems, including salt-based water softening systems, cater to both manual and electric segments, offering effective solutions for households and industries alike. With increasing awareness of unsafe health effects associated with hard water, the demand for natural conditioning systems and innovative solutions like salt-free water softeners continues to rise. In the pursuit of sustainable practices, the water softener market addresses diverse needs across various sectors, ensuring safe and clean water for consumption and industrial activities.

The chemical factories industry plays a pivotal role in supplying raw materials and compounds essential for various sectors, including the pharmaceuticals, food, textile, and refineries industries. Employing sophisticated chemical methods, these factories produce a diverse range of products vital for everyday life. Within the food industry, chemical additives enhance taste, texture, and preservation, while in pharmaceuticals, precise chemical formulations are crucial for drug efficacy. Refineries rely on chemical processes for crude oil distillation and refining. Moreover, in the textile industry, chemicals aid in dyeing, finishing, and fabric treatments. Water softening systems, utilized across multiple industries, employ both manual and automated segments, ensuring the quality and efficiency of industrial processes. Even consumer products like shampoos incorporate chemical formulations for cleansing and conditioning. Overall, the chemical factories industry acts as a cornerstone, driving innovation and sustainability across various sectors worldwide.

Water Softener Market Scope
Report Coverage	Details
Page number	167
Base year	2022
Historic period	2017-2021
Forecast period	2023-2027
Growth momentum & CAGR	Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.5%
Market growth 2023-2027	USD 879.16 million
Market structure	Fragmented
YoY growth 2022-2023(%)	7.5
Regional analysis	North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa
Performing market contribution	North America at 33%
Key countries	US, China, India, UK, and Germany
Competitive landscape	Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks
Key companies profiled	A. O. Smith Corp., Aquia Water Treatment Systems LLC, BWT Holding GmbH, Culligan International Co., Enviro Water Products, EVOQUA WATER TECHNOLOGIES CORP., Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd., Harvey Water Softeners Ltd., Honeywell International Inc, Indian Ion Exchange and Chemicals Ltd., KENT RO Systems Ltd., Kinetico Inc., NuvoH20 LLC, Pearl Water Technologies, Pentair Plc, Pure Aqua Inc., Unilever PLC, US Water Systems Inc., Whirlpool Corp., and 3M Co.
Market dynamics	Parent market analysis, Market forecasting, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period
Customization purview	If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

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What are the Key Data Covered in this Market Report?

• CAGR of the market during the forecast period
• Detailed information on factors that will drive the market growth and forecasting of the market between 2023 and 2027
• Precise estimation of the size of the market size and its contribution to the parent market
• Accurate predictions about upcoming market trends and analysis and changes in consumer behavior
• Growth of the market industry across Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa
• Thorough market growth analysis of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors
• Comprehensive market analysis and report on the factors that will challenge the market research and growth of market companies

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