Moving Bed Bioreactor Systems Market Predicted to Grow Five-Fold by 2015, According to Frost & Sullivan

LONDON -

Currently, the Moving Bed Bioreactor Systems (MBBR) market ranks among the few world markets to have strong development foundations and double-digit growth rates. This growth is expected over the next seven years, including the period of economic downturn. In 2008 the global market for MBBR solutions was valued at US$127.6 million. Frost & Sullivan expects to witness a five-fold increase in this market to reach US$651.1 million by 2015.

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This technology addresses some of the most important challenges of the Water and Wastewater industry, such as the upgradation of existing treatment plants and tight nutrient discharge limits. MBBR technology reduces the level of pollutants in the wastewater streams before it is discharged into collective water basins such as rivers or lakes. Its key features such as the much smaller footprint and the cost-effective upgrade of both treatment capacity and efficiency of existing treatment infrastructure further the global movement towards sustainability.

“The substantial market potential for the coming years is a combination of the unique features and tangible benefits that this technology holds. In particular, the significantly smaller footprint and cost savings are expected to catalyze growth in demand globally,” states Tomasz Zagdan, Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst.

MBBRs have already proven to be a successful, sustainable and economically attractive solution with a bright future. This technology is effective in municipal wastewater treatment as well as several industrial sectors worldwide, such as applications in pulp and paper, food and beverages, chemicals, or/and aquaculture. The unique features of MBBR have also enabled its success into new market segments such as fish farming with potential even in municipal drinking water treatment.

Strong market drivers indicate an immense development potential for the future. Due to small footprint requirements and relatively low capital intensity, MBBR is ideally suited for upgrade and capacity expansion of the existing wastewater treatment plants. The main market driver is stringent environmental legislation on the discharge of wastewater, requiring the treatment plants to improve their efficiency in nutrient removal. This type of legislation is particularly influential in the developed markets of the European Union and the United States.

“Since the first commercial deployments in the late 1980’s MBBR has evolved from a nascent technology promoted by small R&D startups to a solution broadly applied by many of the world’s leading water and wastewater system providers. Moreover, growing demand for MBBR also resulted in several notable M&A deals,” states Zagdan. In 2006 GL&V acquired a unit of Metso Technologies offering MBBR based solution in order to supplement its portfolio for the water and wastewater sector, particularly in its key market of pulp & paper. In 2007, AnoxKaldnes, the global leader in the MBBR market was acquired by Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies (VWS). Infilco Degremont and Siemens Water Technologies provide MBBR through partnerships with smaller technology suppliers such as Hydroxyl Systems from Canada and Aqwise from Israel.

“Opportunities can be captured not only by the existing suppliers of MBBR, but also by engineering firms as well as water and wastewater system suppliers that are looking for innovative and cost-effective technologies. With sustainability becoming a key criterion in the decision making process of end customers, the MBBR systems are set to strongly benefit in the wastewater treatment market,” observes Zagdan.

For more information about the MBBR market and if you would like to receive a complimentary copy of our Market Insight on this subject, please contact Chiara Carella, Corporate Communications, at chiara.carella@frost.com.

About Frost & Sullivan

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Contact: Chiara Carella Head of Corporate Communications P: +44-(0)-207-3438314 E: chiara.carella@frost.com www.frost.com

Source: Frost & Sullivan

Chiara Carella, Head of Corporate Communications, Frost & Sullivan, +44-(0)-207-3438314, chiara.carella at frost.com. Logo: https://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO