Smart Water Softeners Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product Type (Wall Mounted, Floor), By Grain Capacity (Up to 40,000, Up to 60,000, Up to 80,000), By End-User (Residential, Institute), By Distribution Channel (Supermarket & Hypermarket Specialty Store, Convenience Store, Online Sales Channel) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2024-2032

Market Overview

The global smart water softeners market size was valued at USD 454 million in 2021, envisioned to reach USD 1,521 million growing at a CAGR of 16.31% during the forecast period.

A smart water softener is a new technique for water treatment that typically softens hard water and changes it to soft water. Hard water contains a high concentration of minerals, including calcium ions, magnesium ions, and other dissolved metals. It harms health and domestic duties, including cleaning, dishwashing, and laundry. Hard water often produces a white ring of salts surrounding most products, and the salts it contains can even permeate the composition of perspiration. In contrast, soft water is devoid of these minerals and derived from natural resources. Using ion exchange, the smart water softener eliminates the calcium and magnesium ions from the water. The majority of countries around the world are now struggling with this issue, and they are placing their hope in the water softener industry to provide a workable solution to this ongoing problem. The smart water softeners market has found its end-user in every nook and cranny across the globe since water is used in a wide variety of activities in residential and institutional settings, ranging from simple to complex. 

Water softeners frequently use sodium to remove minerals and other salts from hard water, which is exceedingly hazardous to the environment and human health. When extra sodium is added to the meals of those on a low sodium diet, they are frequently at a disadvantage. Due to technological development and scientific study, the market for water softeners has lately been disrupted by aluminum-based water softeners that do not utilize salt for water softening. Aluminum can eliminate all contaminants from hard water using basic chemistry, hence protecting the environment by reducing sodium usage. Growing environmental concerns are prompting customers, manufacturers, and the government to seek out eco-friendly and sustainable products, which is projected to increase the market for these items.

Market Dynamics

Global Smart Water Softeners Market Drivers

The Growth of Health Development and Online Sales

In developing nations, customers are plagued by preventable water-related diseases. Diseases caused by poor hygiene are among the primary causes of illness. Health is an efficient entry point for development and poverty reduction. Individuals, communities, and families can effectively safeguard their health by enhancing water hygiene through the usage of soft water. The right to a safe water supply and proper sanitation to protect one's health is a fundamental human right. Assuring the supply of soft water would add tremendously to health and aid in combating the negative impacts of hard water. Therefore, promoting water cleanliness and consumer education by organizations such as the World Health Organization contribute to expanding the market for smart water softeners. At least 2 billion individuals worldwide use feces-contaminated drinking water. Thus, the global scarcity of soft water supply has contributed to the expansion of intelligent water softener goods. 

Nowadays, online stores are increasing in popularity among clients due to the convenience of purchasing, the continuity of service, and the vast selection of products they give to international customers. It has become a macrotrend in North America and Europe, where internet penetration is high. In addition, millennials frequently use e-commerce for online shopping due to the availability of deep discounts and home delivery, making the online distribution channel the fastest expanding segment. Which also positively impacts the smart water softeners market growth.

Global Smart Water Softeners Market Restraints

The Availability of Substitute Water Treatment Methods

There are a variety of simple, low-cost water purification options available. These techniques include straining; aeration; storage and settlement; disinfection via boiling, chemicals, and solar radiation; filtration; coagulation and flocculation; and desalination. Aeration raises the air content of water, eliminates volatile chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide that impact odor and taste, and oxidizes iron and manganese to generate residues that can be eliminated by settlement or filtration. Consequently, alternative and inexpensive technologies inhibit the growth of the global market for smart water softeners.

Global Smart Water Softeners Market Opportunities

The Unpenetrated and Emerging Markets

Emerging economies represent an untapped market for intelligent water softeners. More than 80% of the world's population resides in nations not members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Still, they consume less than the rest of the world. Economies in the Asia Pacific and LAMEA have had strong economic growth in recent years, increasing employed individuals. This has improved consumers' purchasing power, leading to an increase in smart water softener sales. Smart water softeners also incorporate water-efficient technologies to reduce water and salt usage, enhancing regeneration cycles. This boosts product efficiency and demonstrates a greater growth rate, particularly in Asia-Pacific and LAMEA's growing economies.

Regional Analysis

The region-wise segmentation of the global water softeners market includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America and the Asia Pacific will Dominate the Regional Market

North America will most likely grow at a CAGR of 14.81% and command the market with the largest share. The U.S became the major contributor to the North American smart water softener market because of the high demand from residential apartments, food & beverage companies, universities, offices, pharmaceutical companies, and water treatment facilities. The number of service apartments is anticipated to expand similarly during the expected timeframe. Consequently, the adoption of domestic water softening devices is anticipated to increase substantially. Increased consumer awareness of this technology's health, cleaning, and household use features favor the sales of water softeners throughout North America. 

Growing environmental concerns are prompting consumers, producers, and governments to seek out eco-friendly and sustainable products, which is expected to increase the market for these items. Manufacturers are creating technologically improved softening systems that aid in minimizing waste. These systems improve efficiency by decreasing salt and chloride levels, making the water appropriate for all home and institutional end-use applications. Consequently, this will favorably affect the smart water softener market share.

The Asia Pacific will hold a share of USD 532 million, growing at a CAGR of 19.50%. Accelerated urbanization has raised the need for municipal water treatment to meet the rising demand for potable water and sanitation amenities. Increasing water use is the primary factor driving the Asia-Pacific market for smart water softeners. A rise in industrialization and population also drives the market for water softeners. Alternative therapeutic options are predicted to impede market expansion. It is projected that market participants in growing economies, like India and Japan, will have more opportunities to create water softener enterprises for lucrative growth prospects in the water softener industry.

In India, water purification manufacturers have produced a substantial amount of water softeners, which positively affects the Asia Pacific water softener market share, given the growing environmental concerns regarding filtered water. A rise in the disposable income of the Asia-Pacific population and an increase in consumer health consciousness has contributed to the expansion of the smart water softeners industry.

Segmental Analysis

The global smart water softeners market is classified based on product type, grain capacity, end-user, distribution channel, and region.

On the Basis of Product Type

Segmentation based on the product type includes wall-mounted and floor.

The wall-mounted type segment is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 16.82% and will hold the largest market share. Wall-mounted water softeners are examined under the wall-mounted segment. Wall-mounted water softeners typically conserve room in tiny and compact homes; thus, users with limited space prefer them. Wall-mounted water softeners are anticipated to see increased demand as the number of urban homes with limited space grows.

On the Basis of Floor Type

The floor type segment will hold the second-largest share. Floor-mounted smart water softeners are positioned directly at the entrance point of applications such as water heaters and water purifiers. The smart purifier's outlet produces soft water for several purposes. Floor-based smart water kinds are typically favored for limited applications because they are employed for a single application.

On the Basis of Grain-Capacity

Segmentation based on grain-capacity includes upto 40,000, upto 60,000, and upto 80,000. 

The segment of up to 60,000 is anticipated to advance at a CAGR of 17.4% and will hold the largest share. The smart water softener's 60,000-grain capacity delivers sufficient soft water for a household of 4 to 6 persons. Depending on the end-use application, this water softener capacity is typically provided by mid-range homes. Growing health concerns motivate consumers, businesses, and governments to seek environmentally friendly and sustainable goods. Manufacturers are creating technically sophisticated water softening systems to meet this need. 

The segment of up to 80,000 will hold the second-largest share. Due to the increased demand for soft water from major applications, large homes and institutions favor water softeners with capacities of up to 80,000 grains. It has numerous beneficial features, including intelligent regeneration, a safety float, a digital display, and excellent efficiency. Therefore, it is an ideal option for households with up to 10 individuals.

On the Basis of End-User

Segmentation based on end-user includes residential and institute. 

The residential user segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17% and will hold the largest share. The burgeoning percentage of households due to the popularity of nuclear families has contributed considerably to the expansion of the market for smart water softeners. In addition, increasing demand for soft water due to increased urbanization serves as the market's primary driver. However, high maintenance costs are projected to impede market growth over the projection period.

The institute user segment will hold the second-largest share. The institute section includes schools, colleges, refreshment centers, shopping malls, and other locations where medium to large water softeners are employed based on water consumption. Increasing infrastructure investments have raised the demand for soft water, as hard water ruins plumbing and end-use equipment, contributing to smart water softeners' market expansion.

On the Basis of Distribution Channels

Segmentation based on distribution channels includes supermarkets & hypermarkets, specialty stores, convenience stores, and online sales channels.

The supermarket & hypermarket segment will likely advance at a CAGR of 18.10% and hold the largest market share. The rise of this market segment can be ascribed to the fact that customers can compare several innovative water softeners. Furthermore, the involvement of store associates who assist clients with product selection and provide product knowledge contributes to the segment's growth. The attractive display and low cost of smart water softener goods in hypermarkets and supermarkets are anticipated to increase the global sales of smart water softeners.

The convenience store segment will hold the second-largest share. Convenience stores are small retail establishments that provide daily products such as toiletries, food, and household goods. Convenience stores assist producers in introducing their products to the marketplace and satisfying the needs of an extensive client base. In these stores, consumers can acquire specialty products accessible on the market. Therefore, it is projected that the proliferation of convenience stores would create profitable growth prospects for the worldwide smart water softeners market.

Impact of covid-19

COVID-19 has positive and negative market consequences, as carbon emissions have decreased globally due to the lockout. COVID-19's reduction in emissions is a short-term benefit. Still, when industries and enterprises attempt to recoup some of their financial losses in the first quarter of the year, carbon emissions will rise dramatically. COVID-19 had a negative impact on global recycling efforts. Countries, notably the United States, have halted or decreased recycling programs to focus on collecting additional domestic waste or because services have been disrupted by the virus.

Also, with industries slowly returning to normalcy following the COVID-19 outbreak, this shift in workplace health and safety is expected to increase due to mandatory social distancing and continuous personal care through sanitization to eliminate even the tiniest possibility of COVID-19 spread. COVID-19 has impacted various companies' revenues, and if the lockdown is lifted, companies will turn their attention to operations to make up for their losses.

Recent Developments

• In 2022, 3M and Innovative Automation Inc. will collaborate to develop a robotic tape system providing industrial businesses with an automated tape application solution. 

• In 2022, 3M announced the acquisition of LeanTec technology.