According to a new technical market research report, Sludge Treatment: The Global Market from BCC Research, the global market for sludge treatment technology is expected to be worth $4.6 billion in 2008. This will increase to more than $5.8 billion in 2013, adding up to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6 percent. The market is broken down into the North American sludge treatment segment, the international sludge treatment segment, the North American odor control market and the international odor control market. The international sludge treatment segment has the largest share of the market, worth an estimated $2.1 billion in 2008. This should increase to $2.6 billion in 2013, for a CAGR of 4.5 percent. International odor control is the next largest segment, generating an estimated $1.2 billion in 2008. This is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5 percent to reach $1.5 billion in 2013. The North American odor control segment is the third largest, worth an estimated $750 million in 2008 and $968.2 million in 2013 for a CAGR of 5.2 percent. The North American sludge treatment segment generated an estimated $600 million in 2008. This should increase to $733.8 million in 2013 for a CAGR of 4.1 percent. Sludge is produced during the treatment of wastewater-either on-site through septic tanks or off-site through activated sludge plants. Untreated sludge, stored for a long time, produces offensive odors that require treatment, according to the company. The quantity of wastewater being treated and the quality of wastewater treatment results in increasing the amount of sludge. The company believes that the treatment requirements concerning sludge neutralization and storage are furthermore growing worldwide. As a result of these increasing requirements, sludge treatment, management and reuse technologies are in increasing demand. According to BCC, years of negligence and poor sludge management have caused wastewater treatment facilities to cope with huge amounts of sludge, or to treat sludge to meet the required standards and regulations. In response to this need, wastewater treatment facilities are becoming more technologically advanced.
Value Global Sludge Treatment And Odor Control, By Segment, Through 2013 ($ millions)
| | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2013 | CAGR % 2008 - 2013 |
| International sludge treatment market | 1,815.7 | 1,885.8 | 1,964.1 | 2,050.5 | 2,559.2 | 4.5 |
| International odor control market | 1,078.3 | 1,123.6 | 1,172.5 | 1,225.0 | 1,530.4 | 4.6 |
| North American odor control market | 648.3 | 679.1 | 713.1 | 750.0 | 968.2 | 5.2 |
| North American sludge treatment market | 540.0 | 557.7 | 577.6 | 600.0 | 733.8 | 4.1 |
| Total | 4,082.3 | 4,246.2 | 4,427.3 | 4,625.5 | 5,791.6 | 4.6 |