WATER TREATMENT
Treatment programmes can therefore combine dosing with monitoring of pH, oxidation reduction potential( ORP), conductivity, flow and microbiological indicators. As treatment intensity rises, suppliers face a higher performance threshold: microbial control has to be effective without creating unnecessary chemical consumption or compatibility problems downstream.
New contaminants
Efficiency is also being redefined by contaminants that conventional treatment was not designed to remove selectively. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances( PFAS) can occur at trace concentrations and require treatment technologies capable of achieving very low residual concentrations. Activated carbon remains established, while newer adsorbent materials are being investigated for greater selectivity.
In May 2026, Kemira and CuspAI reported using generative artificial intelligence to design novel metalorganic frameworks targeting three PFAS molecules. The programme evaluated approximately 300 trillion possible material structures and generated more than 5,000 candidate designs before narrowing them to priority candidates for further development and testing. 7
The importance for speciality chemicals is the design criterion. Materials are increasingly developed around defined contaminants, concentration ranges, and operating requirements. Selectivity can influence loading, regeneration, and downstream treatment burden. Table 2 lists the key things an efficiency programme should measure.
Metric Chemical use Water use Sludge Membrane performance Energy Reliability
Why it matters
Table 2- What an efficiency programme should measure
Cost to treat
For operators and chemical suppliers, product price alone is therefore an incomplete purchasing metric. A higher-priced formulation can be economically favourable if it achieves the required result at a lower dose, reduces sludge or extends membrane and heat-exchanger operating periods. Conversely, a lower-priced chemical can become expensive if overdosing, fouling or unstable treatment increases downstream costs.
This changes the basis of supplier differentiation. Application-specific formulations, analytical support and evidence of performance under defined conditions can matter as much as the nominal price of the active ingredient.
It also encourages a shift from isolated chemical trials towards whole-train assessment. Chemical selection, dosage, monitoring, hydraulic conditions and downstream performance should be considered together because an apparent saving at one stage can create a higher cost elsewhere.
Process performance
The emerging commercial priority is not simply to use less chemistry, but to obtain more controlled treatment performance from
Shows whether dosing is aligned with treatment demand Captures make-up water, blowdown & reuse Links chemical selection with disposal burden Connects fouling control with flux & cleaning Captures pumping, aeration & pressure consequences Accounts for excursions, maintenance & interruptions
each unit of chemistry, water and equipment capacity.
That requires a closer understanding of reaction chemistry, contaminant behaviour and process interactions. It also favours programmes that respond when feedwater changes instead of assuming that yesterday ' s dose remains optimal tomorrow.
For speciality chemicals producers, this creates demand for application-specific formulations and performance evidence under defined conditions. For plant operators, it shifts procurement towards the cost of achieving the required treatment outcome. Further efficiency gains will come from knowing precisely when, where and why the chemistry needs to act. ●
References: 1: US Environmental Protection Agency( EPA), Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule: Toolbox Guidance Manual and Related Coagulation Optimisation Guidance. https:// nepis. epa. gov / Exe / ZyPURL. cgi? Dockey = P1009JLI. TXT 2: Kurita, Reduction of Chemical-Derived Sludge in Wastewater Treatment through S. sensing CS. https:// www. kurita-water. com / en / case / 06. html 3: US Department of Energy( DOE), Best Management Practice # 10: Cooling Tower |
Management. https:// www. energy. gov / cmei / femp / best-management-practice-10-coolingtower-management 4: DuPont, FilmTec Reverse Osmosis / Nanofiltration Membranes Technical Manual, Revision 18, September 2025. https:// www. dupont. com / content / dam / water / amer / us / en / water / public / documents / en / RO-NF-FilmTec-Man 5: Vyansa Intelligence, Saudi Arabia Antiscalants Market Report: Trends, Growth & Forecast( 2026 – 2032). https:// www. vyansaintelligence. com / industry-report / saudi-arabia-antiscalantsmarket-forecast |
6: US Environmental Protection Agency( EPA), Alternative Disinfectants and Oxidants Guidance Manual. https:// nepis. epa. gov / Exe / ZyPURL. cgi? Dockey = 2000229L. TXT 7: Kemira, New AI-Designed Materials Show Promising Potential to Remove Forever Chemicals from Drinking Water in Industry-First Breakthrough, 21 May 2026. https:// www. kemira. com / news-and-stories / newsroom / releases / new-ai-designed-materials-show-promisingpotential-to-remove-forever-chemicals-fromdrinking-water-in-industry-first-breakthrough |
Shammi Thakur
RESEARCH DIRECTOR
VYANSA INTELLIGENCE
k + 91 706 555 5003 j https:// www. vyansaintelligence. com
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50 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981