INCOPA is the European Inorganic Coagulants Producers Association.

It represents more than 30 producers and 80 sites in Europe, which are responsible for 85% of the European coagulant production capacity.

Our industry creates values


Inorganic coagulants are pivotal for safe drinking water and efficient wastewater purification. They
are produced in Europe, thus ensuring a reliable local supply.


Chemical water treatment is the most energy efficient water treatment technology and has a low carbon footprint.


Coagulants are essential for protecting human health and improving environmental performance. INCOPA members are committed to the highest product quality and environmental standards in Europe.


Chemical water treatment is the most cost efficient and state of the art technology. Coagulant use represents only 0.5% of the total cost of water purification (0.5€ on 100€, per person per year).


Our products, as well as their applications, contribute to the Circular Economy: thanks to
the use of inorganic coagulants 1/3 of the phosphorus used in Europe could be recycled.

Our key numbers

1 Billion EUR

The industry contributes 1 billion EUR to the European economy

80 Production units

In Europe, our members operate 80 production units and produce 4 million tonnes of coagulants

70% of our Raw Materials

70% of our raw materials are high quality by-products from other industries.


1st to use Chemical Purification

The first to use chemical purification were the Egyptians around 1500 BC

71% of the Global Population

In 2015, 71% of the global population
(5.2 billion people) used a safely managed drinking water service

4 Billion People

We estimate around 4 billion people have access to drinking water treated with coagulants.

Latest News

28 August 2019

WHO calls for more research on microplastics in drinking water

The World Health Organization (WHO) calls for a further assessment of

18 June 2019

Council approves EU guidelines for safe drinking water and sanitation

On 17 June 2019, the Council adopted conclusions approving EU human ri


13 September 2018

INCOPA leaflet

INCOPA is the European inorganic coagulants producers association. INCOPA’s members manufacture inorganic coagulants…


Drinking water

Coagulants are widely used to purify drinking water and clean municipal wastewater.

Waste Water

Waste water is any water which has been used in an industrial process or household. This includes water used in the treatment of sewage or storm water.

Paper industry

In the paper industry they are used in the sizing and retention parts of the papermaking process.

Industrial Uses

Coagulants also have an important role in the treatment of industrial water.

Other Applications

There are also many other applications where aluminium and iron salts play an essential role.

How coagulants are made

Inorganic coagulants support the separation of dissolved and particulate impurities from the water. The raw materials are based on abundant natural resources (aluminium and iron) and high-quality by-products.

How coagulants work


Coagulants which are positively charged metal salts (Me+) react with the negatively charged colloids in the water to form bigger flocs.


Then the particles form larger, heavier flocs (flocculate).


Like larger particles, the flocs can be separated from the water using methods such as sedimentation, floatation or filtration.

Our members