Asia-Pacific's Emergence as an Automotive Manufacturing Hub Enhances the Scope of... -- KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The relocation of automotive manufacturing from North America and Europe to Asia-Pacific, especially to emerging countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia, is expected to boost the prospects of the water and wastewater treatment (WWWT) market. Environmental regulations, along with manufacturers' desire to cut costs and use water more efficiently, have expanded the market for WWWT solutions. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.environmental.frost.com), Water and Wastewater Treatment Solutions Market in Automotive Industry in Asia-Pacific, finds that market earned revenues of US$116.8 million in 2011 and estimates this to reach US$156.2 million by 2016. Water treatment solutions market for the automotive industry are categorized as reverse osmosis (RO), ultra filtration (UF) /micro filtration (MF), ion exchange (IE), and electro-deionization (EDI). Wastewater treatment solutions are divided into primary, secondary and tertiary treatments. "While automotive may not be the most water-intensive industry, automakers are keen to lower their water use per unit of vehicle produced," said Frost & Sullivan Environmental Senior Consultant David Lee. Although the quality of water used may not be a critical factor, unlike in the pharmaceutical or power industries, the automotive industry has collectively started adopting more efficient water treatment solutions. Membrane technology will continue to be the solution of choice for treating makeup water and cooling water, and be used as a key component in the secondary treatment of the wastewater treatment process. Membrane solutions such as RO and MF/UF are preferred for their efficiency and affordability, while the demand for IE is expected to decline in the near future, as the process involves the discharge of huge amounts of harmful by-products and waste. Thailand and Indonesia are the largest revenue generators for WWWT solutions and will continue to be so till 2016 due to the on-going reforms in the automotive industry and industrialization plans in these countries. Japan and South Korea will also continue to be key markets owing to the scale of their automotive manufacturing industry. However, while the automotive industry is thriving in the Asia-Pacific, WWWT is not a matter of priority for the manufacturers. The high initial investments deter several automotive manufacturers. Barring Japan and South Korea, vehicle manufacturers in Southeast Asia are slow adopters of technology and have low awareness about water sustainability. "To tap the cost-conscious Asia-Pacific automotive end-user market, WWWT solution providers must offer competitively priced products," noted Lee. They should also ensure a high level of customization and design, and establish a strong local presence to remain competitive. Water and Wastewater Treatment Solutions Market in Automotive Industry in Asia Pacific is part of the Environmental Growth Partnership Service program. Frost & Sullivan's related research services include: Water and Wastewater Treatment Solutions in the Food and Beverage Industry in Asia-Pacific, Water and Wastewater Treatment Solutions in the Electrical and Electronics Industry in Asia-Pacific, and Ballast Water Treatment Market in Asia-Pacific. Water and Wastewater Treatment Solutions Market in Automotive Industry in Asia Pacific P6AF-15