Filtration Market Report: Demand for clean air and water drives growth

The need for clean air and water has never been more apparent. During the New Crown epidemic, indoor air quality became a top concern, especially as schools, offices and businesses reopened. Increased consumer awareness drove demand for better indoor air filtration systems. As a result, more people are installing air purifiers in their homes, while many are returning to reopened schools and offices with more modern HVAC systems.

In early 2023, smoke from wildfires in Canada raised airborne particulate matter to unhealthy levels and even blanketed parts of the U.S. In August 2023, devastating wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui left toxic pollutants in the air and water that reportedly took months to clear.

Meanwhile, water, soil and other environmental areas contaminated with perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have made headlines in recent years. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the man-made chemicals have been used in consumer products for decades to make them non-stick and water-resistant. Activated carbon treatments and high-pressure membranes such as nanofiltration or reverse osmosis can be effective in removing PFAS.

These examples are just some of the reasons why the filtration market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. In fact, according to a recent report by Allied Market Research, the filtration and separation market, which was valued at $98.13 billion in 2021, is expected to reach $152.05 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2022 to 2031.

The demand for cleaner air and water by end users, air quality regulations by governments, and the need for customers to reduce energy costs are some of the factors driving the growth of the filtration market. In addition, climate change and urbanisation also have an impact on the filtration market, such as pollution management, air quality and wastewater treatment. For example, in water filtration, many people focus on how much water people need to drink. But it takes 3,000 gallons of purified water to make a mobile phone. These non-consumer applications are important growth drivers for the filtration market.

In addition, during the period of the New Crown epidemic, people's perceptions changed and they became more aware of how much time they spend in enclosed spaces such as vehicles, office buildings or manufacturing plants. As a result, there is a greater need for high quality clean air and clean water. In the past, people thought of air filtration as simply removing pet dander or dust from a room. Now they see filters as a way to stop or slow the spread of viruses and bacteria for better health and quality of life.

Urbanisation, climate change, stricter regulations and increased awareness of indoor air quality as a result of the new millennium are the main drivers of increased demand for high-performance filtration media worldwide.

In addition, a number of industry needs are changing. On the one hand, the transformation of the automotive industry is impacting the filtration sector, as the demand for oil and fuel filtration in internal combustion engine vehicles is weakening. On the other hand, global digitisation is driving demand for air filtration in a growing number of data centres, while urbanisation and climate change are making water treatment an increasingly important challenge.

The filtration market is expected to continue to grow in the face of new regulations and environmental concerns. Urban areas are growing and indoor air quality regulations require new product solutions. Indoor air quality regulations are becoming increasingly stringent for homes, office buildings, public facilities and vehicles. Modern technology and electronic devices place higher demands on the environment. In addition, the filtration industry, like other industries, is looking for alternative raw materials. These developments create new challenges, but also opportunities for innovation and development.