Water Filters Market

Market Overview

The global water filters market was valued at USD 14.16 billion in 2023. It is estimated to reach USD 24.27 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.17% during the forecast period (2024–2032). The global water filter market is primarily driven by the rising consumer awareness of water safety and quality, fueled by rising waterborne disease rates, thereby increasing demand for water filters. Moreover, the key players in the market are technologically advancing their products and integrating smart features in the water filters to enhance their features and functionality, thereby creating opportunities for the water filter market growth.

Highlights

• Single and dual stage dominated the media type segment.
• Water dispensers dominated the application segment.
• Offline dominated the distribution channel segment.
• Asia Pacific is the highest shareholder in the global market.

A water filter eliminates impurities by reducing water contamination via a physical barrier, chemical, or biological process. Filters purify water to varying degrees for various applications, including agricultural irrigation, public and private aquariums, accessible drinking water, and the safe use of reservoirs and swimming pools.

Filters utilize sieving, adsorption, ion exchanges, biofilms, and other techniques to remove undesirable substances from water. In contrast to a sieve or screen, a filter may remove particles much smaller than the openings through which its water passes, such as nitrates or Cryptosporidium. Notable examples of filtration methods include sedimentation, which separates hard and suspended particles from water, and activated charcoal treatment, in which boiled water is poured through a cloth to capture unwanted residuals.

Market Dynamics

Global Water Filters Market Drivers

Rising Awareness of Waterborne Diseases

The rising awareness of waterborne diseases is a significant driver for the growth of the water filter market. Contaminated water is a major source of various infectious diseases, and the increasing prevalence of these diseases has heightened consumer awareness about the importance of clean and safe drinking water, driving the demand for water filtration solutions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), unsafe drinking water is responsible for an estimated 485,000 diarrheal deaths each year globally.

Additionally, waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever affect millions of people worldwide, especially in developing regions with poor water quality. A report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) states that diarrheal diseases caused by contaminated water and poor sanitation claim the lives of around 1.5 million children under the age of 5 every year. This highlights the urgent need for access to clean water and improved water filtration systems, thereby driving the global market growth.

Global Water Filters Market Restraint

High-Quality Tap Water in Developed Economies

The availability of high-quality tap water in developed economies poses a significant restraint on the growth of the water filter market in these regions. In many developed countries, stringent regulations and advanced water treatment facilities ensure that the tap water supplied to households and commercial establishments meets rigorous quality standards, reducing the perceived need for additional water filtration systems.

According to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA), over 98% of the population in the European Union (EU) has access to high-quality drinking water, with strict regulations and monitoring systems in place to ensure compliance with water quality standards. Similarly, in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that public water systems adhere to the Safe Drinking Water Act, which sets rigorous guidelines for water quality. Thus, the availability of high-quality tap water in these developed economies is estimated to restrain the global water filter market growth.

Global Water Filters Market Opportunities

Emergence of Smart Water Filters

Smart water filters incorporate advanced technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart connectivity, offering consumers greater control, monitoring, and convenience in water filtration systems. They also provide real-time monitoring of water quality parameters, filter performance, and filter life, enabling users to track the efficiency of their systems and receive alerts for filter replacements or maintenance. Moreover, smart water filters often integrate with smart home systems or mobile applications, allowing users to remotely control and adjust their water filtration systems.

This level of connectivity and automation appeals to tech-savvy consumers seeking convenience and efficient water management solutions. Thus, the market players are increasingly launching novel water filters integrated with smart features. For instance, in May 2023, Cloud Water Filters introduced its flagship product, Cloud RO, which is an under-sink reverse osmosis smart water filter that enables users to track water quality and usage using the Cloud app. Consequently, the development of smart water filters is estimated to create opportunities for the water filter market growth.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Asia Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia Pacific is the most significant global market shareholder and is expected to expand substantially during the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific region is the dominant player in the global water filter market, driven by factors such as rapid urbanization, rising population, and increasing industrialization. According to the Asia Water Filters Association (AWFA), the Asia-Pacific region accounted for around 40% of the global water filter market. The region's dominance can be attributed to rapid population growth and urbanization, leading to increased demand for clean and safe drinking water, thereby driving the adoption of water filters.

Additionally, the region is home to many industrialized nations, such as China, Japan, and India, where water filters are essential for ensuring a clean water supply for industrial processes and wastewater treatment. Furthermore, several governments in the region have implemented policies and initiatives to improve access to clean water and promote the use of water filters. For instance, the Indian government's Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide safe drinking water to every rural household by 2024. Thus, these factors are estimated to propel the Asia-Pacific water filter market growth.

The North American water filter market is a sub-dominant region in the global market. The growth of the North American market can be attributed to several factors. The aging water infrastructure in the region has led to an increased demand for point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) water filters to ensure a safe and clean water supply. Additionally, environmental concerns over water pollution and the presence of contaminants in water sources have also driven the adoption of water filters in both residential and commercial sectors.

Furthermore, the region is at the forefront of technological advancements in water filtration systems, with companies continuously developing innovative and efficient filters to meet consumer demands. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), approximately 20% of households in the United States use water filters to ensure safe drinking water. Consequently, the factors above are anticipated to foster the North American water filter market.

Segmental Analysis

The global water filters market is segmented by media type, application, distribution, and end-user.

Based on the media type, the global water filters market is segmented into single and dual-stage, cartridges, and multimedia segments.

The single and dual-stage segment owns the highest market share during the forecast period. Single-stage filtration media consists of one layer that performs the entire filtration process. This type typically uses materials like activated carbon, sand, or fiber mats, which trap contaminants in one pass. It's straightforward and cost-effective for applications with low to moderate contamination levels, such as in basic water filters or HVAC systems.

Dual-stage filtration media involve two layers, each serving a distinct purpose. The first stage usually captures larger particles and sediments, acting as a pre-filter. Materials like coarse sand or polypropylene are common here. The second stage focuses on finer contaminants, utilizing media such as activated carbon or fine fiber mats to remove smaller particles, chemicals, and microorganisms. This dual-layer approach enhances filtration efficiency and extends the life of the finer, more delicate second stage by reducing the load on it. Dual-stage systems are preferred in more demanding applications, like advanced water purification and air filtration systems, where high purity is essential.

Based on application, the global water filters market is divided into water dispensers, home water filtration, washing machines and refrigerators, water softening, and others.

The water dispensers segment is the most significant contributor to the market. A water dispenser is a machine that dispenses hot, cold, or temperature-controlled water with or without filtration. While bottled dispensers use replaceable plastic jugs, plumbed-in dispensers are attached to the main water supply and incorporate a filter system for purification. Although point-of-use (POU) systems are favored due to their environmentally beneficial features, end-user facilities can also choose between countertop, freestanding, wall-mounted, and under-the-sink versions. Commercial facilities are the greatest end-users of water dispensers, with the under-the-sink category seeing the most growth. In the residential segment, there is a growing demand for countertop water dispensers due to poor tap water quality during the forecast period.

Based on distribution, the global water filters market is bifurcated into offline and online sales.

The offline segment dominates the global market over the forecast period. Offline sales are expected to grow significantly due to the high demand for experiencing and using the filters before making the final purchase. Departmental stores are retail stores that deliver products of several brands, all assorted into separate departments under the same roof. These stores offer a range of prices, from medium to high. In addition, water filters market players have many options to research and offer their products through this segment because of its larger consumer base. Since these stores offer multiple categories of products under one roof, it makes it convenient for customers to purchase everything needed in one go. Moreover, these stores are centrally located and attract huge footfall. Hence, this offers a great opportunity for water filter vendors to expand their revenue base.

Based on the end-user, the global water filters market is divided into residential, commercial, and industrial segments.

The residential segment is projected to be the largest revenue contributor to the global water filters market over the forecast period. This growth is driven by the expanding residential sectors in countries such as China, India, and Singapore, where there is an increasing demand for water and wastewater treatment systems. For households, water filters play a crucial role in providing clean and filtered drinking water. These filters are essential for ensuring safe and healthy water consumption, which is a top priority for many families.

Additionally, water filters are widely used in various home appliances, including washing machines, water heaters, refrigerators, and water dispensers. The specific type of water filter required can vary based on the particular needs and water impurities present in a given location. For instance, some areas may require filters that specialize in removing specific contaminants, such as heavy metals or chlorine, while others may need solutions tailored for softening hard water. This customization ensures that residents receive the most effective filtration solutions for their unique situations.

Recent Developments

• January 2024 - Ahlstrom, a leading provider of water filtration solutions, has introduced long-lasting water filter media. This innovative technology enhances the global water filters market by offering improved water quality, reduced maintenance, and increased efficiency. The new media is designed to provide consistent performance over extended periods, making it an attractive option for water treatment applications.
• October 2023 - Urban Company launched Native RO water purifiers, M1 and M2, at introductory prices of INR 13,499 and INR 17,499, respectively. The M2 model features IoT capabilities for real-time TDS tracking, water consumption monitoring, and filter life status updates on the Urban Company app. This move expands the company's presence in the global water filters market.