Industry: Industrial Automation
Published Date: January-2025
Format: PPT*, PDF, EXCEL
Delivery Timelines: Contact Sales
Number of Pages: 185
Report ID: PMRREP35084
The Middle East and Africa water desalination equipment market is projected to reach a size of US$ 5.1 Bn in 2025. The industry is anticipated to surge at a CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period to attain a value of US$ 8.7 Bn by 2032.
National programs like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, UAE’s Water Security Strategy 2036, and Egypt’s Water Resources Plan 2037 have significantly boosted desalination infrastructure development in the market. Growth in the market is primarily driven by the region's severe water stress, making seawater desalination essential to meet increasing freshwater demands. In 2022, the Middle East and Africa accounted for 50% of the global revenue share, underscoring its significance in the sector.
Factors like rising per capita water usage, urbanization, and increased immigration contribute to the escalating need for desalination technologies. As governments and industries focus on sustainable solutions, investments in unique desalination equipment are anticipated to rise, bolstering growth.
Key Highlights of the Market
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Market Attributes |
Key Insights |
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Middle East and Africa Water Desalination Equipment Market Size (2025E) |
US$ 5.1 Bn |
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Projected Market Value (2032F) |
US$ 8.7 Bn |
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Middle East and Africa Market Growth Rate (CAGR 2025 to 2032) |
7.8% |
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Historical Market Growth Rate (CAGR 2019 to 2023) |
7.1% |
In the Middle East and Africa water desalination equipment industry, the UAE is anticipated to hold a share of 38% in 2025. The country is likely to emerge as a leader in capacity and technological innovations with a CAGR of 8% through 2032.
The country addresses the critical need for freshwater in an arid environment. Presence of prominent desalination facilities, such as the Jebel Ali and Taweelah plants, contribute to the country’s potable water supply.
The UAE government actively supports developments in desalination through initiatives like the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, which aims to diversify water sources and enhance efficiency. The country is progressively adopting hybrid technologies that integrate renewable energy, like solar power, into desalination processes. This approach not only improves sustainability but also meets the rising demand for water driven by urbanization and population growth.
Seawater is anticipated to generate a share of 36% in 2025. The segment is crucial in addressing severe water scarcity challenges faced by the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the most water-scarce region globally.
The region grapples with environmental degradation, rapid urbanization, and persistent food insecurity, often complicated by conflict and ineffective water governance. More than 60% of the population lacks reliable access to potable water, making seawater desalination an essential solution to meet the growing need for fresh water.
The reverse osmosis (RO) technology segment is predicted to hold a share of 48% in 2025. The technology is pivotal in the water desalination landscape, particularly for seawater applications.
DuPont's recently announced an order from IDE Water Technologies to supply Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) filtration systems for Israel's Sorek B desalination plant. DuPont's contribution includes unique SWRO membrane elements, along with dry SWRO elements, which are essential for efficient desalination processes.
RO utilizes semi-permeable membranes to separate salt and impurities from seawater, producing high-quality potable water. Increasing adoption of RO technology, driven by its effectiveness and energy efficiency, positions it as a preferred choice for desalination projects in water-scarce regions.
Collaboration between industry leaders like DuPont and technology providers enhances the capabilities and performance of desalination facilities. This also addresses the global critical freshwater needs.
The residential application segment is predicted to hold a share of 45% through 2032. For instance,
The alarming trend underscores the urgent need for sustainable water solutions, with an estimated additional requirement of 25 billion cubic meters of water annually. This is akin to constructing 65 desalination plants the size of the Ras Al Khair plant in Saudi Arabia, the largest in the world.
As households face dwindling freshwater supplies, residential desalination systems become essential for ensuring access to clean drinking water. This demand is driving innovation and investment in efficient and cost-effective desalination technologies that can be implemented at the household level. This further enhances water security and quality of life for residents across the region.
The Middle East and Africa water desalination equipment market is witnessing significant growth, driven by the region's acute water scarcity and increasing demand for freshwater. As one of the most water-stressed areas globally, the region is dependent on desalination as a viable solution to meet its water requirements.
Urbanization, population growth, and industrial expansion are escalating the demand for freshwater, pushing countries to invest in novel desalination technologies. Governments across the region are implementing strategies and funding initiatives to improve water security, including significant investments in desalination infrastructure.
The Middle East and Africa water desalination equipment market recorded a steady CAGR of 7.1% in the historical period from 2019 to 2023. Growth in population along with urbanization led to the demand for more clean water, fostering growth in water desalination equipments. For instance,
The forecast period is anticipated to witness integration of renewable energy integration, particularly in solar powered desalination, to decrease energy consumption and carbon emissions. The UAE has pledged to increase the share of renewable-powered desalination plants to 25% by 2030.
Increasing Investments in Infrastructure to Bolster Demand
Government authorities across the region have taken the initiative of several large-scale desalination projects to meet the growing water needs. These projects aim to increase water production capacity and integrate unique technologies. The kingdom allocated over USD 7.5 billion to new desalination plants between 2019 and 2023, including the expansion of facilities in Jubail, Rabigh, and Yanbu.
Investments in flagship projects like the Taweelah Reverse Osmosis Plant, which became operational in 2022, have made the UAE a global leader in desalination. The plant has a capacity of 909,000 cubic meters per day and costs approximately US$ 900 Mn to construct.
Rising Water Scarcity and Depletion of Freshwater Resources to Push Demand
As urban areas, industries, and agriculture demand more water, the already hot and dry countries are anticipated to face extreme stress on their limited resources. Challenges like environmental degradation, rapid urbanization, and persistent food insecurity exacerbate the situation, further complicating water management and governance.
This dire scenario drives significant investments in desalination technologies as countries look to seawater and brackish water sources to meet their freshwater needs, fueling growth in the desalination equipment market.
Saturation in Technologies to Result in Lack of Efficiency
A significant restraint in the Middle East and Africa water desalination equipment market is the saturation of existing technologies, particularly RO, which often face efficiency challenges. Common issues such as scaling and fouling can severely impact the performance and longevity of RO systems. Both of these reduce water flow and increase energy consumption.
These inefficiencies not only lead to higher operational costs but also necessitate frequent maintenance and cleaning, ultimately affecting the reliability of desalination processes. As a result, stakeholders may be hesitant to invest in technologies that do not deliver optimal performance or cost-effectiveness. This saturation in traditional RO systems creates a pressing need for innovative solutions and developments in desalination technology to enhance efficiency and mitigate these challenges.
Rising Adoption of Hybrid Desalination Technologies to Create Avenues
Growing adoption of hybrid desalination technologies presents a significant opportunity in the water desalination equipment market. Hybrid systems combine different desalination methods, like RO and thermal distillation, or integrate renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. This approach enhances efficiency and reduces energy consumption compared to traditional single-method desalination.
By leveraging multiple technologies, hybrid systems can address specific challenges like scaling and fouling, improving overall performance and reliability. Additionally, they can adapt to varying water quality and supply conditions, making them suitable for diverse applications, from large-scale desalination plants to smaller and decentralized systems.
As governments and industries increasingly prioritize sustainability and cost-effectiveness in water supply solutions, hybrid desalination technologies are gaining traction. This trend is set to drive innovation and investment, positioning hybrid systems as a crucial element in meeting the growing demand for freshwater in water-scarce regions.
The competitive landscape of the water desalination equipment industry in the Middle East and Africa features established players as well as emerging companies, driven by urgent water scarcity needs. Prominent firms like IDE Technologies, Veolia, and SUEZ lead the market, focusing on technological innovation and efficiency improvements.
Companies are progressively investing in hybrid systems and renewable energy integration to differentiate themselves and address challenges like scaling and fouling. Collaborations with governments for large-scale projects are common, ensuring access to funding and resources.
There is a strong emphasis on sustainability, aligning with regional goals for water security. This dynamic environment fosters ongoing innovations, shaping the future of desalination in the region.
Recent Industry Developments
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Attributes |
Details |
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Forecast Period |
2025 to 2032 |
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Historical Data Available for |
2019 to 2023 |
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Market Analysis |
US$ Billion for Value |
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Key Countries Covered |
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Key Market Segments Covered |
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Key Companies Profiled in the Report |
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Report Coverage |
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Customization & Pricing |
Available upon request |
By Source
By Technology
By Application
By Country
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By Source
By Technology
By Application
By Country
The market is set to reach a size of US$ 8.7 Bn by 2032.
Residential is anticipated to emerge as the leading application in the market.
Toray Industries, Advanced Watertek, and Koch Seperation Solutions are considered the leading players.
The market is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 7.8% through 2032.
