The global water mist industry achieved a record year in 2025, with many members of the International Water Mist Association (IWMA) reporting their highest turnovers to date. This growth has been realised despite generally slow development in the construction sector across several regions, highlighting the increasing diversification of water mist applications and benefits, as well as the technology’s growing recognition as a reliable and effective fire protection solution.
In particular, demand from industrial facilities, the transportation sector, energy generation, data centres and heritage buildings has continued to grow. These sectors are increasingly recognising the advantages of water mist systems, particularly where space constraints, protection of sensitive equipment, sustainability requirements and reduced water consumption are critical considerations.
Looking back to 2025, the industry also saw record engagement at the international conference organised by the IWMA in Manchester, which became the largest in the association’s history. The strong attendance highlighted growing global interest in water mist technology across both established and emerging markets.
Another key driver has been the continued development and international recognition of the EN 14972 water mist series. The move towards a more harmonised framework for design and fire testing has increased confidence among regulators, insurers and end users, supporting wider global acceptance of water mist solutions. Increasingly, specifiers and authorities are viewing water mist as a mainstream fire protection solution rather than a niche technology.
Current estimates place the global water mist market at approximately €1.5 billion at end user price level, including both new installations and service and aftermarket activities across all major applications and regions. However, the water mist market remains highly heterogeneous, as the technology is applied across a very wide range of use cases, from small self-contained systems used in commercial kitchens, buses and trains to large scale infrastructure protection such as road tunnels, cruise liners or high-rise buildings. As a result, the market is highly fragmented, combining globally operating manufacturers with many locally focused and niche oriented companies.
“We are entering 2026 with strong momentum in water mist fire protection. This year, IWMA will focus on strengthening industry competence by expanding training programmes and developing new technical materials, helping to ensure that water mist systems are applied safely, effectively and with a full understanding of their capabilities,” says Max Lakkonen, President of IWMA.
Training and competence development are expected to become one of the central strategic themes for IWMA in 2026. The association is working on expanding technical guidance materials, training content and educational resources to support installers, designers, authorities and end users globally.
A key highlight of 2026 will be the IWMA international conference, which will take place in Prague. In addition to the traditional conference format, the event will also include a dedicated technical workshop, a new concept designed to provide more interactive, hands on knowledge exchange between industry experts and new visitors.
Founded in 1998, the IWMA is a global industry body that brings together manufacturers, insurers, test laboratories, research institutions and other key stakeholders. The association’s mission is to advance water mist technology through support for standardisation, scientific research, knowledge sharing and international collaboration, thereby promoting the safe, reliable and effective application of water mist fire protection systems worldwide.