MENA Electrodeionization

MENA Electrodeionization

Electrodeionization is water purification technology used for removing ions from water using an electrical potential. While there is a growing situation of water scarcity in the Middle East and North Africa region due to low-ground water levels and extreme climatic conditions, it is also a region where innovative water treatment technologies are in demand. The MENA Electrodeionization market is in the growth phase with the rapidly emerging demand for sustainable water purification techniques. Traditionally, heating and other mechanisms were used in order to purify water due to water scarcity issues in major parts of the MENA region. The quality of water people consume is one of the major necessities, and due to the extreme climatic conditions, water availability has been on the lower side, which is why sea water purification in the Middle East region is on the higher side.

The MENA Electrodeionization market was valued at USD 123.56 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a strong CAGR of around 22.67% during the forecast period (2024-2032). Additionally, the continuous flow of purified water from the electrodeionization process offers a steady source of desalinated and potable water, which is why many of the countries in the region are looking forward to implementing the electrodeionization technology in the coming years. For instance, in 2023, Makkah Water Company announced the update and expansion of its water purification system with the help of Krone, a Germany-based water purification solutions provider. The company installed a water system with a continuous water purifying capacity of 110 cubic meters per hour. The system works in combination with three technologies: reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and electrodeionization.

Countries in the Middle East are significantly dependent on water purification due to stringent water quality standards and the need for sustainable water management solutions. The total expenditure on water desalination in countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Oman, etc., is on the higher side which shows the potential growth markets for the electrodeionization technology. Considering the rising population, as well as incessantly growing water scarcity and higher power consumption through thermal techniques for water purification, electrodeionization is anticipated to emerge as a viable alternative to conventional technology in the forthcoming period.

Specific government initiatives focused solely on the adoption of electrodeionization (EDI) in the MENA region have demonstrated a broader commitment to addressing water scarcity and promoting sustainable water management practices. However, there are no specific policies implemented for EDI technology in the region, but the comprehensive policies for addressing water scarcity would induce market growth for EDI in the coming period. For instance, in 2024, the government of Saudi Arabia has set a goal of achieving 100% reuse of wastewater by the year 2025. It also includes the participation of the private sector in the desalination by 100% by the year 2030.

Apart from this, Some of the prominent providers of the technology in the region are Qua Group, DuPont, Ion Exchange, etc. The respective companies have also established some of the EDI plants in the region which exhibits the slow but notable shift in the adoption of sustainable water purification techniques.

• Based on Design, the Electrodeionization market is bifurcated into spiral wound construction and plate and frame construction. Of the two, spiral wound construction has grabbed the major market share in the design category. The spiral wound construction has a unique spiral wound design containing membrane and ion exchange resins, sealed in a high-strength fiberglass reinforced for effective flow of water and brine. Many of the leading electrodeionization providers, such as DuPont, Agape Water Solutions, etc., offer spiral wound construction. On the other hand, plate and frame construction uses a membrane laid on the top, held together, and the feed solution flows perpendicular to the membrane, while cross-flow systems are made so that the flow is tangential to the membrane wall. However, there are some disadvantages, such as low package density, irreversible damage caused on the surface, and expensive maintenance per square meter of surface. With the requirement for large-scale projects, many countries in the MENA region are opting for spiral and wound construction-based electrodeionization designs.
• Based on End Users, the Electrodeionization market is segmented into pharmaceuticals, power generation, chemical, electronic & semiconductor, and other industries. Considering the rapid growth of industrialization in the Middle East region, the demand for purified water has considerably increased. The country is also looking forward to expanding water purification due to the systematic development of urban projects. Power generation is one of the key industries that has held the major share in the demand for EDI technologies for purified water. Water quality is a main concern in the case of operating power plants, which is why the requirement for water purification systems has grown extensively. Various other industries, such as pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, electronics, and semiconductors, food & beverages, etc., are some rapidly emerging industries in the Middle East and North Africa region owing to the government's focus on reducing dependence on imported goods. In line with this, many of the companies have made investments in capacity expansion and greenfield investment, which would be conducive to the upcoming rising demand for electrodeionization systems in the respective industries.
• For a better understanding of the market adoption of Electrodeionization, the MENA Electrodeionization market is analyzed based on its regional presence in countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, and the Rest of the MENA region. Of these, the Saudi Arabia region held the largest share in 2023. Considering the rapidly growing population as well as various urbanization and smart city projects, this phenomenon is further anticipated to grow in the coming period. The country is also highly dependent on desalinated water for both personal and industrial applications. Currently, desalination from electrodeionization is still in its infancy, however, with the population rising, the government focusing on industrialization, and reducing dependence on imported goods would necessitate the demand for sustainable water desalination technologies to be adopted. According to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia, around 20% of the total brine water across the globe is desalinated by Saudi Arabia. This water provides more than 60% of the drinking water to the population in Saudi Arabia. With the adoption of solar technology for desalination as well as Ionization techniques, the extensive emissions from thermal and membrane distillation are anticipated to be curtailed in the future.
• Some of the major players operating in the market include Veolia, DuPont, Pall Corporation, Lenntech B.V., Pure Aqua Inc., Complete Water Solutions, Toray Industries Inc., IEI and Hydrochemya.