Scale Inhibitors Market

Scale inhibitors are chemical materials used to control or prevent scale deposition in the production conduit or completion system. They may be continuously injected through a downhole injection point or periodic squeeze treatments may be undertaken to place the inhibitor in the reservoir matrix for subsequent blending with produced fluids. Some of the most commonly occurring scales include calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, calcium sulfate, and zinc sulfide, which result in heat loss in equipment such as heat exchangers, boilers, and process piping lines. Phosphonates, sulfonates, and carboxylate/acrylate are some of the most preferred scale inhibitors used across an array of industries to prevent scale formation in heat transfer equipment and process pipelines.

The primary market demand drivers of scale inhibitors include the increasing demand for scale inhibitors in the energy sector, which is an important area for investment and growth. The energy sector requires large volumes of treated water, especially in power plants. Moreover, the hydraulic fracturing boom has led to an increased demand for water treatment chemicals in the oil & gas industry. Scale inhibitors play a prominent role in the oil & gas industry as the water used needs to be chemically treated with scale inhibitors, such as phosphonates, to reduce or check scale formation on machinery and equipment in production wells, water and disposal wells, flow lines, and surface equipment. Also, rapid industrialization and urbanization in emerging economies have led to the rising demand for water treatment chemicals owing to the implementation of stringent norms. The need to prevent industrial assets from developing scale and corrosion has resulted in the increased consumption of water treatment chemicals such as scale inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, and biocides. Increasing investments by governments in improving sewer infrastructure are also expected to drive the growth of the market. Moreover, the increasing construction of industrial facilities and institutions such as schools, hospitals, and shopping malls necessitates water treatment, thereby, driving the growth of the scale inhibitors market.

Furthermore, increasing demand for sustainable chemicals is a noted trend in the market; with growing scrutiny on the impact of chemical discharge on the environment numerous biodegradable scale inhibitor formulations, based on biodegradable carboxylic acid, have been developed recently. These environmentally friendly products offer good scale-inhibition performance in various equipment. Increasing research and development of new-generation environmentally friendly scale inhibitors is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. For instance, researchers have found that in downhole oil wells, ascorbic acid, a biodegradable natural product, inhibits calcium carbonate scale deposition. Therefore, in sensitive marine environments, ascorbic acid is used as an excellent green chemical for continuous injection into the wellbore to prevent carbonate scale formation.

However, the industry faces challenges with volatility in raw material prices and environmental regulations. The majority of scale inhibitors are petroleum-based; hence, the fluctuating prices of crude oil are impacting the price of scale inhibitors. With these fluctuations, manufacturers are struggling to maintain profit margins. Moreover, increasing research and development in biodegradable scale inhibitors and stringent regulations regarding the use of non-biodegradable scale inhibitors in certain end-use applications are expected to hamper market growth during the forecast period. Stringent regulatory standards imposed by government agencies on the use of petrochemical-derived products limit the use of petroleum-based scale inhibitors. However, key industry players are adopting sustainable and compliant manufacturing techniques to meet these regulatory standards.

· Increasing demand for scale inhibitors in the energy sector and water treatment industry

· Rising demand for water treatment additives in developing countries

· Growing demand for biodegradable and efficient scale inhibitors

Key Opportunities and Trends

· Increasing investments in exploration and production of oil & gas

· Water scarcity and focus on energy efficiency

Key Vendors

· BASF SE

· Kemira

· Akzo Nobel N.V.