Oxidation And Corrosion Control Chemicals Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast (2026 - 2031)

Global Oxidation And Corrosion Control Chemicals Market Trends and Insights

Stricter Global Drinking-Water and Effluent Regulations

Global chemical programs are undergoing a transformation due to tightening policies. In response to the EU Drinking Water Directive's reduction of the lead limit to 5 µg/L, utilities are increasing their dosing of orthophosphate and polyphosphate to create protective pipe scales^{[1]European Commission, “Directive (EU) 2020/2184 on Drinking Water,” ec.europa.eu}. The U.S. EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements mandate the replacement of lead service lines within a decade, driving a yearly phosphate demand surge through 2028. China's GB 5749-2022 standard expanded the range of covered contaminants and limited disinfection by-products. This has led plants to transition from using sodium hypochlorite to potassium permanganate and chlorine dioxide. In India, stricter turbidity and coliform thresholds under IS 10500:2012 have hastened the adoption of pre-oxidation in Jal Jeevan Mission schemes^{[2]Bureau of Indian Standards, “IS 10500:2012 Drinking Water Specification,” bis.gov.in}. Collectively, these converging regulations set a durable compliance benchmark for the Oxidation and Corrosion Control Chemicals market.

Industrial Expansion and Semiconductor ZLD Adoption

Industrial water-treatment volumes are being driven by capacity additions in sectors like pulp, mining, power, and semiconductors. India's paper output saw an increase, leading to heightened use of hydrogen peroxide and corrosion inhibitors at newly established kraft mills. Vietnam's addition of coal capacity is set to uphold the demand for phosphate-based inhibitors in cooling loops. TSMC’s Fab 18 processes water using a ZLD circuit, dependent on hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, and HEDP-based inhibitors. Similarly, Samsung and Intel unveiled expansions in South Korea, Arizona, and Germany, emphasizing potassium permanganate and phosphate-free initiatives to adhere to ultrapure-water standards. These developments foster regional growth pockets that counterbalance the saturation seen in OECD markets.

Rising Demand for Advanced Oxidation and Corrosion-Control Solutions

Utilities are now layering UV treatments with hydrogen peroxide and potassium permanganate to comply with limits on PFAS and 1,4-dioxane. Responding to these challenges, the U.S. EPA set stringent caps on PFOA and PFOS at 4 ppt, pushing trials towards UV-sulfate radical processes, which have proven more effective than granular carbon. In Japan, the inclusion of 1,4-dioxane in the drinking-water list has hastened the adoption of UV-hydrogen peroxide systems in the impacted prefectures. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical facilities in Germany are turning to electrochemical oxidation, though they continue to pre-dose with chlorine dioxide to avert electrode fouling. On the corrosion front, Kemira’s polymer-modified phosphate is achieving a reduction in dosing, leading to significant logistics savings for distant utilities. These advancements are allowing for sustained premium pricing, even in a market that's sensitive to procurement costs.

Municipal Investment to Replace Aging Infrastructure

New asset designs in large capital programs now incorporate corrosion-control and oxidation chemistries. The U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocates funding to water systems, designating a portion for lead line replacements and another for PFAS treatments. This move secures orders for phosphates and advanced oxidants. In 2025, Germany set aside funding to upgrade various plants and adhere to new nutrient caps, showing a preference for chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide. Canada's infrastructure initiative earmarked funding for water renewals, specifically calling for NSF/ANSI 60-certified inhibitors. Ofwat greenlit a substantial expenditure in the U.K. for the 2025-2030 period, with a clear emphasis on bolstering corrosion-control resilience. These extensive, multi-year budgets not only stabilize demand but also shield suppliers from the fluctuations of industrial cycles.

Regulatory Bans on Selected Oxidants and Inhibitors

EU regulations are tightening their grip on phosphates, expanding from detergents to industrial uses. This shift is steering utilities towards organophosphonates, which can reduce phosphorus loading. In France, a bold move is underway: the nation aims for a phosphate cut by 2028 in its eutrophic basins. This initiative is poised to redirect demand towards polymer inhibitors. Meanwhile, in 2024, California added several chlorinated oxidants to its "chemicals-of-concern" roster. This action mandates plants to demonstrate that alternatives like chlorine dioxide or UV can match the disinfection efficacy before they can renew their permits. Additionally, while the volatility of manganese ore is driving up costs for permanganate use, the steep capital investments required for non-chemical substitutes are hindering swift transitions.

Technology Shift to UV, Membranes, and Electro-Chemical Options

Falling UV-LED costs and efficient electrochemical cells are enabling smaller utilities to cut chlorine use in disinfection. Japanese and South Korean plants now favor UV-LED reactors that cut energy and eliminate mercury lamps. Pharmaceutical sites in Germany and Switzerland deploy electrochemical advanced oxidation to avoid residual chlorine in effluent, while Singapore combines nanofiltration and reverse osmosis in compact membrane trains that need less pre-oxidation. Even so, chemical oxidants remain indispensable for iron and manganese removal and biofilm control, capping near-term displacement risk.

Segment Analysis

By Product Type: Corrosion Control Anchors Revenue as Oxidants Drive Growth

Corrosion-control chemicals represented 84.26% of 2025. This surge is attributed to the pressing need for continuous dosing of phosphates or organophosphonates in aging pipes and cooling systems, effectively curbing metal dissolution. While phosphates have traditionally dominated this segment, recent phase-downs in Europe are shifting the spotlight towards HEDP, PBTC, and polymer blends.

Oxidation technologies, while smaller, are growing at 7.94% each year, largely driven by stringent regulations on PFAS and 1,4-dioxane. In the realm of pre-oxidants, potassium permanganate is the go-to choice for taste-and-odor control in both China and India. However, in North America, sodium permanganate is carving out a larger market share due to its liquid handling advantages. As zero liquid discharge (ZLD) initiatives gain momentum, shipments of hydrogen peroxide to semiconductor fabs in Asia have increased. While sodium hypochlorite and chlorine dioxide continue to dominate price-sensitive municipal contracts, emerging technologies like UV and electrochemical methods are beginning to temper the growth of chlorinated oxidants in more established markets.

By End User: Industrial Dominance Meets Municipal Momentum

Industrial water treatment captured 62.18% of 2025 revenue, led by pulp, mining, power, and petrochemical sites that run closed-loop systems requiring relentless corrosion inhibition. India’s pulp mills, Vietnam’s new coal units, and Saudi petrochemical complexes are key growth engines that demand heavy phosphate and organophosphonate use.

Municipal demand, while smaller, is forecast to outpace industrial at a 7.07% CAGR through 2031. U.S. lead line replacement, India’s Jal Jeevan Mission roll-outs, and China’s GB 5749 upgrades are driving bulk orders for orthophosphate, potassium permanganate, and chlorine dioxide. This fast-moving municipal pipeline diversifies revenue streams for suppliers that traditionally leaned on industrial volumes.

By Application Stage: Pre-Treatment Anchors Volume, Disinfection Leads Growth

Pre-treatment held a 45.77% share in 2025, reflecting its universal role in iron, manganese, and sulfide removal before downstream processes. Plants dose potassium permanganate at up to 5 mg/L to avoid trihalomethanes, while Japan and South Korea pilot UV-hydrogen peroxide to break down taste-and-odor compounds.

Disinfection and advanced oxidation is the fastest-growing slice at 8.06% CAGR. Chlorine dioxide use is accelerating because it produces fewer by-products than sodium hypochlorite, and UV-sulfate radical systems are gaining footholds at PFAS-impacted sites in the United States. Corrosion inhibition remains resilient at roughly half of total spend, bolstered by new pipe networks that must meet updated lead rules in North America and Europe.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

Geography Analysis

Asia-Pacific leads with a 40.33% 2025 share and an expected 8.30% CAGR to 2031, driven by China’s GB 5749 compliance, India’s rural water build-out, and semiconductor ZLD investments in Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. Regional pulp, mining, and power projects add further impetus.

North America is on track to secure significant revenue. Demand for corrosion-control chemicals is bolstered by infrastructure acts in the U.S. and Canada, while PFAS regulations drive the adoption of UV-hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, Mexico's automotive corridor contributes to the rising industrial volumes.

Europe is poised to capture a notable share of the sales. In Germany and the UK, capital programs are emphasizing chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, and phosphate inhibitors. Meanwhile, France's push for phosphate reductions leans towards organophosphonates, and desalination efforts in the Mediterranean present opportunities for high-salinity corrosion inhibitors.

South America, along with the Middle-East and Africa, rounds out the market. Brazil's sanitation initiatives and Argentina's mining expansion are sustaining demand for oxidants. Concurrently, Saudi Arabia's petrochemical sector and upgrades to South African plants are ensuring a steady stream of orders for corrosion inhibitors.