World Membrane Separation Technologies

World demand to rise 9% annually through 2015
Global demand for membranes is projected to increase a healthy 9.0 percent annually to $19.3 billion in 2015. The countries that will see the fastest growth include the BRIC countries and others with large, developing industrial bases and stressed local water resources. Combined, the US and China are expected to account for 46 percent of the market gains between 2010 and 2015.

North America to lead gains in developed areas
North America, the largest regional market, accounted for one-third of global membrane sales in 2010 and will advance a strong 8.3 percent annually through 2015. Gains in the dominant US market will be aided by the ongoing development of improved membranes and related systems to accommodate newer water quality regulations and the use of low-quality water in waterstressed regions. Demand will also be aided by the growing number of industries using membranes to make more efficient use of water resources and to reduce waste disposal expenditures and by a projected rebound in manufacturing activity and investment.

Western Europe and Japan are similar to the US in the maturity of their water infrastructures, the type of regulatory environment and the level of technological sophistication in manufacturing. This maturity will contribute to growth in membrane demand well below the global average. Still, the increased emphasis on conservation through water recycling will boost sales. The relative affluence of these countries allows for the use of advanced technologies despite their high upfront costs.

Desalination market growing in developing areas
In developing countries, gains will be based on the continued growth of waterintensive industries, increased need to tap brackish or otherwise poor quality water resources, and rising investment in modernizing water and waste infrastructure. However, in many of the least developed countries -- especially in Africa and parts of South Asia -- growth will be more limited due to lack of adequate funding and local corruption that impedes progress.

Much of the Middle East, North Africa and the Caribbean have invested heavily in seawater and brackish water treatment to ensure a sufficient supply of water for drinking, agriculture and industry use. Historically much of that came from thermal distillation plants, but even oil-rich nations are shifting to more efficient reverse osmosis desalination. Other countries, including Australia, China, India, Israel, Japan, Singapore, Spain and the US, have also added membrane-based desalination capacity in recent years.

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