Global Pharmaceutical Water Market 2025–2034

Reports Description

Global Pharmaceutical Water Market was valued at USD 42.32 Billion in 2025. It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% from 2024 to 2034 and cross USD 89.9 Billion by the end of 2034 during the forecast period 2025 – 2034.

Pharmaceutical Water Market: Overview

Pharmaceutical water is a type of purified water employed in various pharmaceutical applications, including drug formulation, cleansing and purification, and cell culture production. The high purity of pharmaceutical grade water renders it appropriate for use in sensitive pharmaceutical manufacturing operations, where impurities can affect the safety and efficacy of drugs.

The pharmaceutical water market is primarily driven by the following factors: the increasing production of biologics and biosimilars, the demand for high-quality water, stringent regulations, and the growth in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The pharmaceutical water market is divided into five segments: product type, application, end consumer, distribution channel, and region. The market is segmented based on product type into the following categories: highly purified water, water for injection, water for inhalation, pure vapor, pretreated water, and others.

In 2023, it is anticipated that the segment of highly purified water will hold the greatest market share. The demand for highly purified water is being driven by the increasing emphasis on high-quality standards in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Pharmaceutical water is a particular type of water that is utilized in the production, processing, and formulation of pharmaceutical products and medicinal applications. This water is subject to rigorous quality standards. This water is employed in various phases of pharmaceutical manufacturing, such as the preparation of drug products, apparatus cleaning, and ingredient formulation.

The primary product categories of pharmaceutical water include highly purified water, water for injection, water for inhalation, deionized water, distilled water, and others. Highly purified water is frequently employed when a high level of microbiological quality is required.

This water is compliant with microbial and chemical purity standards. These are employed in a variety of applications, including drug formulation, cleaning and purification, cell culture production, equipment cleaning, buffers and solutions, and a variety of end users, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, contract research and manufacturing organizations, academics and research laboratories, hospitals and healthcare facilities, and diagnostic laboratories.

Pharmaceutical Water Market: Growth Factors

Continuous advancements in water purification technologies, including UV oxidation, reverse osmosis, electrodeionization, ultrafiltration, and distillation, are advantageous to the pharmaceutical water market. Pharma companies are progressively implementing sophisticated technologies that can consistently generate water according to the stringent quality standards of pharmacopeia.

Key features that stimulate technology adoption include integrating innovative technologies for online TOC (Total Organic Carbon) monitoring, remote system access, data analytics for predictive maintenance, and automation. The transition to newer-generation pharmaceutical water systems is, therefore, being facilitated by ongoing advancements.

SUEZ – Water Technologies & Solutions, a water technology company, unveiled DataShare Elite Software for Sievers Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analyzers in July 2022. The recently released software will facilitate the centralized administration of water quality data throughout the pharmaceutical industry.

Quality and regulatory compliance are becoming increasingly important in the pharmaceutical industry, subject to rigorous safety and quality regulations. Regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), require pharmaceutical-grade purified water that adheres to the quality standards specified in pharmacopeias.

Pharmaceutical companies have consequently prioritized water quality conformance. Using contaminated water can result in substandard drug products and pose substantial risks, which may necessitate regulatory action.

Pharma companies proactively implement pharmaceutical-grade water purification technologies and testing regimens to mitigate these risks. The pharmaceutical water market is experiencing growth due to the increasing regulatory burden, which is compelling companies to use high-quality water.

Growth of Biopharmaceuticals and Biosimilars: The use of high-quality water that meets stringent purity standards at various phases of manufacturing is necessary for the production of biopharmaceuticals, which include monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, vaccines, and cell and gene therapies.

Additionally, the rise in the number of biosimilars that have been approved, which are the biologic equivalents of approved biologics, is also contributing to market growth. Pharmaceutical water is a critical basic material utilized in the production and development of biosimilars and biologics. The escalating biopharma sector and the consequent increase in production capacities drive the demand for pharmaceutical-grade water.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Outsourcing: An emerging trend in the pharmaceutical industry is the escalating outsourcing of both clinical and commercial manufacturing to contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) and contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs).

Pharmaceutical companies outsource a significant portion of their manufacturing operations, such as drug substances, drug products, and packaging services, to third parties as they concentrate on their primary competencies.

Pharmaceutical-grade water is employed throughout the production process by CMOs/CDMOs that offer integrated services. The pharmaceutical water market has substantial potential for development due to expanding the pharmaceutical outsourcing sector.

Pharmaceutical Water Market: Current Events

• Nexus Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company, announced in July 2023 that the Sterile Water for Injection, USP in 10mL and 20mL Single-Dose Vials had been approved by the U.S. FDA.

• Evoqua Water Technologies, a water treatment company serving the pharmaceutical, beverage, and other industries, acquired the industrial water treatment service business of the former Bob Johnson & Associates, located in Texas, from Kemco Systems in February 2023. The acquisition expanded the company’s presence in the Texas market.

• Merck KGaA, a global biopharmaceutical company, introduced the Milli-Q EQ 7008/16 ultrapure and purity water purification system in November 2022. The new Milli-Q EQ 7008/16 system can generate consistent ultrapure (Type 1) water quality directly from a municipal water source. Additionally, it offers the option to obtain reverse osmosis (RO, Type 3) quality water.

• A water treatment company that serves pharmaceutical, beverage, and other industries, Evoqua Water Technologies, announced the inauguration of a new manufacturing facility in Singapore in July 2022. The facility is intended to expand the company’s presence in the Asia Pacific region. The new facility is a valuable addition to the region’s efforts to localize production, which is necessary to meet the growing demand for ultrapure water solutions in the microelectronics and pharmaceutical industries.

Pharmaceutical Water Market: Trends

Single-Use Technologies Integration: Pharmaceutical companies increasingly incorporate single-use disposable technologies into their manufacturing operations, such as pre-sterilized plastic containers, tubing, connectors, and bioreactors.

The transition is being driven by benefits such as reduced cross-contamination risks, operational flexibility, and lower capital costs. Pharmaceutical water system manufacturers are emphasizing developing water purification solutions compatible with single-use assemblies and apparatuses. An emerging trend is the integration of capabilities that enable direct water dispensing into single-use components.

Adoption of Remote System Monitoring: Pharmaceutical water purification systems increasingly incorporate cloud-based remote monitoring platforms as a critical component. Real-time system performance data and operational metrics can be accessed through online software and mobile applications that are facilitated by IoT capabilities.

This enables manufacturers to identify and rectify any process deviations or equipment issues proactively. Remote access offers tangible advantages, including predictive maintenance capabilities, reduced site visits, and near-24×7 monitoring. These benefits are accelerating the adoption of remote monitoring.

Automation and Connectivity in the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Sector: The pharmaceutical manufacturing sector is progressively transitioning to a smart factory environment that automation, IoT, analytics, and AI facilitate.

Pharmaceutical water systems are also transforming to provide digital automation, which enables seamless integration and data exchange with production equipment, ERP, and quality management systems. Automated regulation of system operation, in conjunction with connectivity, will reduce manual errors and improve compliance. The trend toward automation will consequently become increasingly prevalent.

Multi-parameter water quality testing: Pharma companies implement a quality-by-design strategy emphasizing quality integration into the manufacturing process rather than testing the completed product. This necessitates an exhaustive evaluation of the qualitative attributes of raw materials to mitigate potential hazards.

This trend is reflected in the increased emphasis on multi-parameter assessment of pharmaceutical water quality, which encompasses microbiological, chemical, physical, and elemental parameters. The design of a bespoke purification system and the implementation of robust process control will be facilitated by the regular validation of water quality.

Pharmaceutical Water Market: Segmentation Analysis

Bulk water is the dominant water type in the global pharmaceutical water market.

The global pharmaceutical water market is primarily dominated by the bulk water segment in terms of water type. The production of a variety of pharmaceutical products is significantly influenced by bulk water, which includes Purified Water (PW), Highly Purified Water (HPW), and Water for Injection (WFI).

For instance, WFI, a highly purified form of water, is indispensable for producing parenteral drugs, as it is required to prepare injectable medications, vaccines, and intravenous fluids.

The production of biological medications is a prime example of this requirement, as the water-free interface (WFI) must be entirely devoid of microbial or particulate contaminants to guarantee the safety and efficacy of products like insulin and monoclonal antibodies. The production of WFI is subject to stringent regulatory requirements as specified by the European Pharmacopeia (EP) and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), including distillation and reverse osmosis.

Bulk water is also employed in substantial quantities during various drug manufacturing processes, such as formulation, dilution, and apparatus cleaning, to ensure consistent quality and standards. For example, in producing oral pharmaceuticals, PW is frequently employed as a solvent to combine with active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), thereby guaranteeing the final product’s quality, potency, and consistency.

Report Scope

Pharmaceutical Water Market: Regional Analysis

Europe primarily dominates the purified water market due to the increasing number of health-conscious consumers in the region. Additionally, the market’s expansion will be further bolstered by the increasing popularity of bottled beverages.

Due to the expanding population, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to experience substantial growth. Additionally, the expected increase in the prevalence of ill health and maladies resulting from consuming contaminated water will further contribute to the market’s growth.

The pharmaceutical water market in the United States is experiencing significant growth, which is heavily influenced by developments in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. The growing demand for high-quality pharmaceutical products, particularly injectables, vaccines, and biologics, necessitates ultrapure water for production, which is one of the primary drivers.

As the pharmaceutical industry in the United States continues to develop, there is an increasing emphasis on implementing rigorous regulatory standards for water quality. This ensures that manufacturers allocate resources toward developing cutting-edge water purification technologies.

Furthermore, the demand for injectable medications has been further exacerbated by the aging population and the increase in chronic diseases, which has further exacerbated the need for Water for Injection (WFI). Additionally, the market’s expansion is influenced by the advancement of personalized medicine and the expansion of biotechnology, as these innovative therapies frequently depend on high-purity water in their manufacturing processes.

List of the prominent players in the Pharmaceutical Water Market:

• Eurocrit Labs International
• Evoqua Water Technologies
• Veolia Water Solutions and Technologies
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
• B. Braun Medical Inc.
• ICU Medical Inc.
• SteriCare Solutions
• Danaher Corporation (Cytiva)
• ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIOLOGICALS
• Veltek Associates Inc.
• Sigma-Aldrich (Merck KGaA)
• Corning Incorporated
• Others

The Pharmaceutical Water Market is segmented as follows:

By Water Type

• Bulk Water
  • Purified Water
  • Water for Injection (WFI)
  • Pure Steam
  • Others (Water for Hemodialysis, etc.)
• Packaged Water
  • Sterile Purified Water
  • Sterile Water for Injection (SWFI)
  • Sterile Water for Irrigation
  • Others (Sterile Water for Inhalation, etc.)

By Application

• Solvents and Diluents
• Culture Media
• Equipment Cleaning
• Others (Buffers and Solutions, etc.)

By End-user

• Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Companies
• Biotechnology Companies
• Contract Research & Manufacturing Organizations
• Others (Academics, Research Laboratories, etc.)

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Russia
• Italy
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America