Top 10 Companies in the Cooling Water Treatment Chemicals Industry (2026): Market Leaders Driving Industrial Efficiency

In Business Insights
January 23, 2026


The Global Cooling Water Treatment Chemicals Market was valued at USD 1.64 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 2.3 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.1% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This robust growth is fueled by escalating demand from power generation, industrial manufacturing, and HVAC sectors, coupled with stringent environmental regulations and the accelerating adoption of sustainable and green chemistry solutions.

As industries worldwide intensify their focus on operational efficiency, water conservation, and environmental compliance, the role of advanced cooling water treatment chemicals has become paramount. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Cooling Water Treatment Chemicals Industry—a diverse group of chemical giants, specialized providers, and sustainability innovators shaping the future of industrial water management.


🔟 1. Ecolab Inc.

Headquarters: St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Key Offerings: Corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, biocides, antifoulants, comprehensive water management programs (Nalco Water)

Ecolab is a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions. Its Nalco Water division is a powerhouse in cooling water treatment, offering advanced chemical programs and digital monitoring tools (3D TRASAR™ Technology) to optimize system performance, reduce water usage, and ensure regulatory compliance for thousands of industrial clients worldwide.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Pioneering digital water management with real-time monitoring and control

  • Commitment to achieving positive water impact by helping customers save water

  • Development of high-efficiency, biodegradable chemistries to minimize environmental footprint

Download FREE Sample Report: Cooling Water Treatment Chemicals Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions

Headquarters: Trevose, Pennsylvania, USA (Global operations)
Key Offerings: Comprehensive cooling water treatment programs, advanced oxidants, monitoring systems, ZeeWeed® membrane technologies

SUEZ provides a full spectrum of water and process technologies. Its cooling water solutions are critical for power plants, refineries, and manufacturing facilities, focusing on maximizing heat transfer efficiency, minimizing water consumption, and preventing costly downtime due to scaling, corrosion, and biofouling.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Leadership in water reuse and circular economy solutions

  • Investment in R&D for non-oxidizing biocides and sustainable scale inhibitors


8️⃣ 3. Kemira Oyj

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offerings: Polymer-based scale and corrosion inhibitors, biocides, coagulants, flocculants

Kemira is a leading chemicals company serving water-intensive industries. Its expertise in pulp & paper extends to robust cooling water treatment portfolios, offering tailored solutions that enhance operational efficiency and support customers’ sustainability goals through reduced energy and water consumption.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Focus on bio-based and renewable raw materials for chemical production

  • Solutions designed to lower the carbon footprint of water treatment processes


7️⃣ 4. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offerings: Diversified portfolio including dispersants, antiscalants, corrosion inhibitors, and biocides under the Sokalan, Plurafac, and Gluadin brands.

BASF’s performance chemicals division offers high-efficiency products for industrial water treatment. Their solutions are engineered to protect cooling systems in challenging environments, from coastal power stations to inland manufacturing plants, ensuring reliability and longevity of critical assets.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Integration of sustainability assessments into product development (Sustainable Solution Steering)

  • Development of phosphate-free and halogen-free treatment alternatives

Download FREE Sample Report: Cooling Water Treatment Chemicals Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Veolia Water Technologies

Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offerings: End-to-end cooling water management, chemical treatment programs, HERO® high-efficiency reverse osmosis, digital solutions (Hubgrade)

Veolia designs and delivers water treatment systems and services for municipal and industrial clients. Its cooling water expertise helps customers achieve zero liquid discharge (ZLD), reduce chemical usage through advanced monitoring, and significantly cut water withdrawal by enabling high cycles of concentration.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Global leader in ecological transformation with ambitious 2024-2027 strategic plan “GreenUp”

  • Promotion of water resource resilience and circular water models


5️⃣ 6. Solvay S.A.

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offerings: Specialty polymers (like Hymovert), peroxide-based biocides, coagulants, and flocculants.

Solvay’s advanced materials and chemicals play a crucial role in water treatment. The company provides innovative solutions that improve the sustainability profile of cooling operations, including products that allow for effective treatment with lower environmental impact.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Solvay One Planet sustainability roadmap with clear targets on climate, resources, and better life

  • Innovation in green chemistry to replace less sustainable alternatives


4️⃣ 7. Baker Hughes Company

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offerings: Comprehensive water treatment chemicals and services for upstream, midstream, and downstream oil & gas, power generation, and general industries.

Baker Hughes, through its Digital Solutions and Turbomachinery & Process Solutions segments, offers integrated chemical treatment programs. Their expertise is critical in protecting high-value assets in extreme operating conditions, preventing fouling in heat exchangers and corrosion in cooling towers.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Commitment to advancing the energy transition with lower-carbon solutions

  • Development of environmentally compatible chemistries for sensitive ecosystems


3️⃣ 8. Lonza Group AG

Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland
Key Offerings: Broad-spectrum biocides (isothiazolinones, DBNPA), antimicrobial solutions, and custom preservation technologies.

Lonza is a premier provider of microbial control solutions essential for preventing biofouling in industrial water systems. Its products are critical for maintaining hygienic conditions in cooling towers, a key concern for Legionella prevention and overall system hygiene.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Focus on product stewardship and responsible lifecycle management of biocides

  • R&D into faster-degrading, effective antimicrobials to minimize persistency in the environment


2️⃣ 9. SNF Group

Headquarters: Andrézieux-Bouthéon, France
Key Offerings: Polyacrylamide-based flocculants, coagulants, and superabsorbent polymers for water clarification and sludge dewatering.

SNF is the world’s largest producer of water-soluble polymers. While renowned for municipal wastewater treatment, its products are vital in cooling water systems for clarifying makeup water and treating blowdown, contributing to overall water cycle efficiency and reuse.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Significant investment in bio-acrylamide production to reduce reliance on fossil fuels

  • Global recycling programs for packaging and production waste


1️⃣ 10. Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offerings: High-performance inhibitors, biocides, advanced monitoring systems (Kurita Fine Particle Analyzer), and membrane cleaning chemicals.

Kurita is a dominant force in the Asian water treatment market with a strong global presence. The company is known for its precision chemical dosing technologies and innovative products that address the unique challenges of high-efficiency cooling systems in electronics manufacturing and data centers.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • “Kurita Action for SDGs” initiative focusing on water resource conservation and climate change mitigation

  • Development of fluorine-free foam suppressants and other eco-friendly alternatives

Get Full Report Here: Cooling Water Treatment Chemicals Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Cooling Water Treatment Is Smarter and More Sustainable

The cooling water treatment chemicals market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional chemical treatments remain essential, the industry is rapidly embracing digitalization, green chemistry, and circular water principles to meet evolving regulatory and environmental demands.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerated adoption of AI and IoT-based predictive water management platforms for real-time optimization

  • Stringent global regulations driving demand for environmentally acceptable chemistries and biodegradable formulations

  • Growing emphasis on water stewardship and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) strategies, increasing the complexity and value of treatment programs

  • Rising demand from emerging economies in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, where industrial expansion and water scarcity are key drivers

Get Full Report Here: Cooling Water Treatment Chemicals Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not just supplying chemicals—they are delivering integrated solutions that are critical for industrial productivity, asset protection, and the sustainable management of one of the planet’s most vital resources: water.