Overview of the core industries of overseas exhibitions: water treatment and environmental protection and introduction to key exhibitions
With the advancement of industrialization, the global water pollution problem is becoming increasingly serious. According to data from IHS Consulting, the global water treatment chemicals market value reached US$9.33 billion in 2018, of which the Chinese market accounted for 33%. The global water and wastewater treatment chemicals market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% between 2019 and 2025.
In recent years, China has continued to increase its investment in environmental protection, with total investment exceeding 17 trillion yuan during the “13th Five-Year Plan” period. The development direction and investment focus of environmental protection have risen to the level of national strategy and become a key investment area for the government. With the implementation of environmental protection planning, the field of environmental protection will usher in more development opportunities.
Since 2016, the export volume of products of China’s small and medium-sized enterprises in the fields of water treatment and environmental protection has increased significantly, and their brand awareness has also increased rapidly. The gradual transformation from the initial OEM model to independent brand overseas shows the rapid growth of Chinese enterprises in the international market. In addition, large domestic environmental protection companies further expand overseas markets by acquiring foreign brand companies.
American Water Treatment Exhibition (WEFTEC)
Location: New Orleans, USA
The WEFTEC exhibition, hosted by the Water Environment Federation (WEF), has become the world’s most influential comprehensive water treatment industry event since it was first held in 1928. Attracting about 1,000 exhibitors every year, it is the world’s largest annual water treatment industry event. For Chinese companies that produce mid- to high-end products, this is a market worth expanding into.
Singapore Water Expo (SIWW)
Location: Singapore
Since its inception in 2008, the Singapore Water Expo has quickly become the world’s top industry event. In addition to the participation of many well-known water companies at the exhibition, it also held activities such as the Water Leadership Summit and the World Cities Summit, and awarded the “Lee Kuan Yew Water Resources Award”. This exhibition is not only suitable for companies that produce water treatment equipment, but also for complete equipment and engineering companies in the water field.
Munich International Environmental Expo (IFAT)
Location: Munich, Germany
IFAT series exhibitions are authoritative expositions in the fields of global water treatment, waste treatment and reuse, and renewable energy. With its industry-forward and high-quality audience group, IFAT has become an important platform to understand the latest product and technology development trends in the international market. In addition, IFAT also holds a series of branch exhibitions in South Africa, India, Türkiye and other places to provide a comprehensive display platform for global environmental protection companies.
With the continued advancement of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, Chinese environmental protection companies will become more active in markets such as Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. In the future, Chinese enterprises in the fields of water treatment and environmental protection will further develop and expand and establish a “Chinese brand” image in the international market.