Top 7 China Water Treatment Companies 2025
China's water treatment market, valued at approximately CNY 320 billion, is one of the world's largest, driven by stringent pollution discharge standards, massive municipal infrastructure investment, and expanding industrial wastewater treatment requirements. The country operates over 2,900 municipal wastewater treatment plants with a combined daily capacity exceeding 200 million tons. Industrial sectors including textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and electronics generate complex wastewater streams requiring advanced treatment technologies such as membrane bioreactors (MBR), reverse osmosis (RO), and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems.
Beijing Enterprises Water Group (BEWG)
CNY 28.6B revenue
BEWG is China's largest water and wastewater treatment operator, managing over 600 water plants across 30+ provinces. Their portfolio includes municipal water supply, wastewater treatment, and industrial water services.
China Water Environment Group (CWE)
CNY 12.4B revenue
CWE specializes in underground MBR wastewater treatment plants that save urban land. Their sponge city integrated water solutions serve Beijing, Guiyang, and Chengdu with 50+ underground plants.
Origin Water (Beijing)
CNY 8.6B revenue
Origin Water pioneered membrane-based water treatment in China, producing ultrafiltration, MBR, and RO membrane modules. Their PVDF hollow fiber membranes serve major municipal and industrial water plants.
Shanghai Industrial Water Group
CNY 6.2B revenue
SIWG provides industrial water recycling and ZLD (zero liquid discharge) systems for semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and textile industries. Their ZLD systems achieve 99.5% water recovery rates.
Tianjin MOTIMO Membrane Technology
CNY 4.8B revenue
MOTIMO is China's largest manufacturer of ceramic membranes and flat-sheet MBR membranes. Their alumina ceramic membranes handle high-temperature and high-pH industrial wastewater treatment.
Guangzhou Environmental Protection Investment (GEPI)
CNY 5.4B revenue
GEPI operates municipal wastewater treatment plants and river restoration projects across Guangdong province. Their integrated river-lake treatment systems combine biological treatment with ecological restoration.
Zhongyin (China Three Gorges) Water
CNY 7.8B revenue
Backed by China Three Gorges Corporation, CTG Water manages large-scale water treatment PPP projects including the Yangtze River basin protection initiative. Their smart water platforms integrate IoT monitoring with AI-based treatment optimization.
Comparison Table
| Company | HQ | Key Products | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEWG | Beijing | Municipal Water/Wastewater | Water Utility |
| CWE | Beijing | Underground MBR Plants | Sponge City |
| Origin Water | Beijing | UF/MBR/RO Membranes | Membrane Technology |
| SIWG | Shanghai | ZLD/Water Recycling | Industrial Water |
| MOTIMO | Tianjin | Ceramic Membranes | Industrial Wastewater |
| GEPI | Guangzhou | River Restoration | Ecological Treatment |
| CTG Water | Beijing | Basin Protection PPP | Smart Water |
Frequently Asked Questions
How large is China's water treatment market?
China's water treatment market reached approximately CNY 320 billion in 2024. Municipal wastewater treatment accounts for approximately 55%, industrial water treatment 30%, and water supply and desalination the remaining 15%. Government investment continues to drive double-digit annual growth.
What advanced treatment technologies are being adopted in China?
Membrane bioreactors (MBR), reverse osmosis (RO), and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems are the fastest-growing technologies. Origin Water's PVDF membranes and MOTIMO's ceramic membranes are gaining market share over imported brands in municipal and industrial applications.
Which companies serve China's semiconductor water treatment needs?
Shanghai Industrial Water Group provides ultrapure water systems and ZLD treatment for semiconductor fabs. Their systems serve SMIC, Hua Hong, and other leading fabs with water quality exceeding SEMI F63 Grade E-1.2 standards.
How does the sponge city initiative impact water treatment?
China's sponge city program has created demand for integrated stormwater management and treatment systems. China Water Environment Group has built over 50 underground wastewater treatment plants that serve dual purposes as public parks, combining grey infrastructure with green space.
What is the outlook for seawater desalination in China?
China plans to expand desalination capacity to 2.9 million tons/day by 2025, with major projects in Tianjin, Qingdao, and Zhejiang. BEWG and CTG Water are investing in large-scale RO desalination plants to serve coastal industrial zones and address water scarcity in northern China.