Business Case
Assessing the global potential of an electrochlorination offer
SURFEO sized the global electrochlorination market and assessed product-market fit for an international energy engineering group.
01 · Context & challenges
Producing disinfectant on site to secure water circuits
Electrochlorination converts salt water into sodium hypochlorite on site. Industrial applications include coastal cooling circuits, natural gas facilities, refineries and chemicals [1].
An international energy engineering group wanted to determine whether it made sense to relaunch and structure a long-standing technology offer.
SURFEO conducted a worldwide study (excluding China) covering market size, segments, competitors and offer fit.
Scope
Power generation, offshore oil and gas, LNG, desalination, ballast water and emerging applications.
Method
Internal audit, market analysis, benchmark and targeted interviews.
Power generation, offshore oil and gas, LNG, desalination, ballast water and emerging applications.
Method
Internal audit, market analysis, benchmark and targeted interviews.
02 · Our intervention
From assessing the offer to prioritising addressable markets
01
Audit the offer
Qualify the technology’s strengths, limitations and differentiators.
02
Size the market
Estimate the size, breakdown and addressable segments.
03
Test the field
Conduct five interviews with players from different sectors.
04
Recommend
Prioritise the segments and structure commercial visibility.
03 · Key figures
A short, worldwide assignment geared directly towards decision-making
14weeks of intervention
5interviews with market players
30players identified worldwide (approx.)
4conclusions and 4 recommendations
04 · Market
A market concentrated around a few players and several applications
Estimated breakdown of the new-equipment market in 2024
SURFEO estimates from the assignment study [3]. Indicative positions.
Global market
The final study estimates the new-equipment market at around €595m in 2024 [3].Concentration
The top two players are thought to account for just over half of the market [3].On-site production
On-site production avoids having to transport and store hypochlorite [1][2].05 · Outcomes
An investment decision supported by market and field evidence
Sizing and breakdown of the global market.
Competitive landscape of around thirty players.
Identification of priority segments and barriers to entry.
Recommendations for structuring the offer and raising its profile.
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Sources
- [1] John Cockerill, “E-ChloPure – Electrochlorination”. https://johncockerill.com/fr/industry/traitement-des-eaux/electrochloration/
- [2] Nature Sustainability, “Selective electrosynthesis of chlorine disinfectants from seawater”, 9 February 2024. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01265-8
- [3] SURFEO internal final report, June 2025, source for the assignment facts, estimates, outcomes and recommendations.
- [4] SURFEO internal kick-off report, 6 March 2025, source for the scope and objectives.
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