MEMBRANES MARKET

Membranes Market size reached USD 7.2 billion in 2023 and is estimated to reach USD 13.5 billion in 2031 and the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.3% from 2024-2031 fueled by the growing need for clean water and the increasing focus on effective solutions to water pollution.

Major Market Drivers and Emerging Trends

Membranes market size growth is primarily driven by the increasing need for clean water. With rapid population growth, the water crisis has intensified which makes efficient resource use critical. Innovations in technology have lessened the burden on freshwater resources as it enables the conversion of seawater into potable water. This technology in desalination plants has become a vital solution for populations with scarce water resources.

The increasing freshwater scarcity has led farmers to use brackish water for irrigation but the high salt content is damaging crop yields and degrading soil quality. The switch to desalinated water has significantly improved farm productions and decreased operational expenses. As desalinated water becomes more widely used for animal feeding, the number of desalination facilities has surged to meet the increasing agricultural demands globally thereby expanding the membranes market share.

The expanding populations and industrial growth are further driving up water demand which in turn makes the use of membranes essential in water and wastewater treatment procedures. The rising issues surrounding wastewater management and drinking water quality are driving the need for membrane technology. The growing focus on personal hygiene is further fueling the demand for safe drinking water which is accelerating the membrane filtration technologies adoption for water treatment. Strict regulations on drinking water quality and industrial wastewater discharge are driving the membrane technologies expansion in water and wastewater treatment practices.

Pollution has also worsened water scarcity which leads to a significant decline in the quality of available water resources. In many developing countries, the population is largely exposed to toxic water pollutants including heavy metals and harmful microorganisms. The growing industrial activity combined with urbanization in developing countries has significantly increased the pressure on water resources which leads to higher levels of water pollution. The growing focus on environmental protection has thereby driven lawmakers to adopt stricter regulations for industrial discharges which aim to reduce water pollution that contributes to membranes market growth.

However, market growth is hindered by the high upfront costs due to the significant expenses associated with the production and installation. Considerable initial expenses are associated with membrane production due to the need for specialized materials and advanced manufacturing techniques. Significant R&D is also crucial to advancing membrane technologies that offer improved efficiency and durability. Furthermore, installing membrane systems often requires custom design and integration with current infrastructure which leads to considerable capital costs.

Technology Insights: Nanofiltration (NF) segment registered the largest market share

The nanofiltration membrane is expected to experience substantial growth in the years ahead driven by its energy-efficient separation capabilities as companies aim to lower energy usage and carbon emissions. Moreover, nanofiltration membranes are regenerable which results in significant cost savings over time.

The microfiltration segment is also growing driven by its diverse applications across industries like water treatment and biotechnology. This versatile utility helps microfiltration to grow as it operates at lower pressures than alternative technologies including reserve osmosis. The ability to remove pollutants such as heavy metals and bacteria while selectively allowing beneficial molecules to pass through makes microfiltration valuable in water treatment along with chemical manufacturing.

Reverse osmosis technology is experiencing rapid growth largely due to its widespread use in water and wastewater treatment. It effectively removes salts and contaminants from water which provides clean drinking water while enabling sewage repurposing for various functions. Its increasing adoption across residential and industrial sectors is further driving the demand for membrane technology. With the ongoing water crisis, this technology is set to grow rapidly in the market.

Application Insights: Water and wastewater treatment segment dominated the largest share

Increasing water pollution fueled by urbanization and industrialization is the main factor driving this segment growth. Innovations in technology have expanded membrane applications for water and wastewater treatment across multiple industries including food and beverage or biomedical fields. With dwindling water resources, filtration technologies have emerged as key solutions to meet the need for clean water.

The industrial processing segment is also experiencing rapid growth driven by multiple influencing factors. The growing focus on sustainability and regulatory compliance is pushing industries to recognize the critical need for water conservation. Membrane technologies deliver effective solutions for water treatment and process separation which supports industries in achieving their sustainability targets.

Material Insights: Polymeric segment captured the largest market share

Polymeric membranes are economical and versatile which makes them ideal for applications like beverage processing or feed water treatment. Its dominance can also be attributed to their exceptional performance and unique separation capabilities. The polymeric segment is expanding due to the increasing need for reliable and economical separation technologies in sectors like food and beverage. Innovations in membrane technology particularly in the development of nanocomposite membranes and hybrid materials are contributing to the rapid segment growth. Ongoing advancements in polymer science have also led to the development of innovative membrane materials with improved efficiency and durability which further drives the segment growth.

The ceramic segment is also experiencing rapid growth due to its exceptional attributes that are ideal for various applications. The primary driver behind this growth is its natural toughness and robustness. Ceramics outperform traditional polymeric membranes by offering exceptional resistance to harsh chemicals and physical strain which makes them vital for demanding industrial processes.

Regional Insights: Asia Pacific holds the largest market share

Asia Pacific dominates the market with emerging economies like China and India being the most promising growth drivers. The growth is mainly driven by the increasing regulatory focus on safeguarding natural water resources. China has updated its laws including the Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law to address the increasing water scarcity.

Due to rapid industrial growth along with urban expansion in many countries in the region, there has been a significant rise in the need for clean water for industrial activities and drinking purposes. This increase in demand has significantly boosted the use of membrane technologies for treating and purifying water which contributes to market growth. Pollution and water scarcity are pressing challenges in the region which is further intensified by population growth along with expanding industrialization. To tackle these challenges effectively industries and governments are ramping up investments in water treatment technologies such as membranes.

Europe is a key and promising market supported by countries such as Germany and France. The growth is attributed to rising awareness about water scarcity and governmental actions to safeguard freshwater supplies.

Market growth in North America is largely fueled by the implementation of stricter regulations for water and wastewater treatment. Canada and the United States are experiencing increased demand due to new government laws focused on delivering clean and safe drinking water to the population.

Top Market Players

Various key players in the market such as DuPont, Koch, Toray Industries, SUEZ, ENGINERRED SOLUTIONS COMPANY, Pentair, TOYOBO CO., LTD., Hydranautics – A Nitto Group Company, Pall Corporation, Seccua GmBH, Syner Filtration, among others. A primary growth strategy for key players involves launching new products to boost their regional presence and broaden their portfolios to cater to the rising need for membranes in emerging markets.

Key Developments:

• • In 2024, Toray Industries unveiled an advanced RO membrane that helps save water and offers twice the chemical resistance. It also cuts replacement frequency and CO2 emissions in half.
  • In 2023 Asahi Kasei introduced RespiGard by Polypore which is a new polypropylene membrane that combines waterproofing with breathability designed for outdoor furniture and performance sportswear applications.
  • In 2022 Hydrofarm Inc has formed a strategic collaboration with AXEON Water Technologies to distribute advanced RO filtration systems specifically designed for the horticulture sector.
  • In 2021, KOCH Separation Solutions launched the INDU-COR HD technology which enhances its tubular membrane lineup with a solution specifically developed to provide more effective treatment for industrial wastewater.
  • In 2019, DuPont acquired Evoqua Water Technologies, a manufacturer of PVDF membrane and MBR. Through this acquisition, DuPont entered into a membrane business with the spin-off Dow-DuPont in 2019.

Segments covered in the Report:

The global Membranes market has been segmented on the basis of Technology, Application, Material, and regions. Based on Technology, the market is segmented into Reverse Osmosis (RO), Ultrafiltration (UF), Microfiltration (MF), Nanofiltration (NF), and Others. Based on Application, the market is segmented into Water & Wastewaters treatment and Industrial Processing. Based on Material, the market is segmented into Polymeric, Ceramic, and Others.

Market Segmentation

Global Membranes Market by Technology

• • Reverse Osmosis (RO)
  • Ultrafiltration (UF)
  • Microfiltration (MF)
  • Nanofiltration (NF)
  • Others

Global Membranes Market by Application

• • Water & Wastewaters treatment
  • Industrial Processing

Global Membranes Market by Material

• • Polymeric
  • Ceramic
  • Others

Global Membranes Market by Region

• • North America Membranes Market (Option 1: As a part of the free 25% customization)

    • By Technology
    • By Application
    • By Material
    • US Market All-Up
    • Canada Market All-Up

  • Europe Membranes Market (Option 2: As a part of the free 25% customization)

    • By Technology
    • By Application
    • By Material
    • UK Market All-Up
    • Germany Market All-Up
    • France Market All-Up
    • Spain Market All-Up
    • Rest of Europe Market All-Up

  • Asia-Pacific Membranes Market (Option 3: As a part of the free 25% customization)

    • By Technology
    • By Application
    • By Material
    • China Market All-Up
    • India Market All-Up
    • Japan Market All-Up
    • Rest of APAC Market All-Up

  • RoW Membranes Market (Option 4: As a part of the free 25% customization)

    • By Technology
    • By Application
    • By Material
    • Brazil Market All-Up
    • South Africa Market All-Up
    • Saudi Arabia Market All-Up
    • UAE Market All-Up
    • Rest of world (remaining countries of the LAMEA region) Market All-Up

Major Players Operating in the Membranes (Option 5: As a part of the Free 25% Customization – Profiles of 5 Additional Companies of your Choice)

• • DuPont
  • Koch
  • Toray Industries
  • SUEZ
  • Engineered Solutions Company
  • Pentair
  • TOYOBO CO., LTD.
  • Hydranautics – A Nitto Group Company
  • Pall Corporation
  • Seccua GmbH
  • Syner Filtration