Freedonia Market Research Analyzes Membrane Separation Technologies

Demand for membrane materials is expected to increase 8.2 percent per year to $4.3 billion in 2012.  Growth will be driven by ongoing interest in process fluids with higher purity levels in a variety of markets, as well as the introduction of increasingly strict environmental regulations concerning the quality of water and wastewater streams.  These and other trends, including market share and company profiles, are presented in Membrane Separation Technologies, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry research firm.

Polymeric membrane materials will continue to dominate the market because they have lower initial costs and greater product flexibility than nonpolymeric materials.  Cellulosic membranes, the least expensive materials, accounted for the largest share of polymeric membranes -- nearly 60 percent in value terms -- in 2007, although that share is slowly declining.  Demand for nonpolymeric materials, including ceramic, metal and composite types, is expected to record double-digit growth through 2012, due to their better performance in extreme temperatures and greater pH ranges, as well as generally lower maintenance costs. 

Microfiltration membranes will continue to account for the largest share of total demand, but represent a better established and more mature segment of the market.  As a result, advances are projected to be stronger for ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis membranes, both of which function in a variety of markets at a higher purity level.  However, among major applications, gains are expected to be strongest for pervaporation membranes, albeit from a small base, because of their use in high-growth specialty markets such as chemical and industrial gas processing, as well as fluid treatment in wastewater, and medical and pharmaceutical markets. 

The best opportunities for growth will emerge in the pharmaceutical and medical markets, and smaller markets such as environmental applications and fuel cells.  Although fuel cells are currently negligible in market value terms, they are expected to emerge as a significant outlet for membranes in the next 10 to 20 years.  The water and wastewater treatment market continued to be the largest for membranes, representing 51 percent of sales in 2007.  Growth in this market will be primarily driven by the implementation of environmental regulations that increasingly require membrane separation technologies to achieve the mandated results, as well as the increasing acceptance of membrane technology in water and wastewater treatment. 

The Freedonia Group is a leading international business research company, founded in 1985, that publishes more than 100 industry research studies annually. This industry analysis provides an unbiased outlook and a reliable assessment of an industry and includes product segmentation and demand forecasts, industry trends, demand history, threats and opportunities, competitive strategies, market share determinations and company profiles.