Report Outlines Growth in Membrane Technology Separations Market

WELLESLEY, Mass. (Jan. 23, 2017)—New products are promoting growth in the global market for membrane technology for liquid and gas separations, according to a report by market research publisher BCC Research. The firm reveals in its new report that inorganic and organic/inorganic hybrid membranes are poised to enter the market for uses such as hydrogen separation and natural gas purification, according to a statement from BCC Research. Some highlights from the report:

• The combined U.S. market for membranes used in liquid and gas separations should reach $4.6 billion by 2021, up from $3.4 billion in 2016, demonstrating a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2 percent.
• Conventional liquid separations should reach $3 billion and $4.1 billion in 2016 and 2021, respectively, reflecting a five-year CAGR of 6.1 percent.
• Gas separations as a market should reach $497 million by 2021 from $353.1 million in 2016, with a five-year CAGR of 7.1 percent.

Microfiltration and ultrafiltration products are in demand for treating potable and process water, but the most rapid growth in this sector is in wastewater treatment with membrane bioreactors and the manufacturing of biological drugs, according to the report. The food and beverage industries are also longtime, steady purchasers of membranes with these pore sizes for use in the concentration, clarification and microbial stabilization processes. By technology type, the market for reverse osmosis owes its high growth rate to the expanding market for desalination, increased applications in process water treatment and interest in reclaiming used water, according to the firm. Nanofiltration membrane products are being used in applications beyond their traditional role in water treatment to meet demanding refinery, chemical and pharmaceutical separations involving solvents. Membrane Technology for Liquid and Gas Separations (MST041H) analyzes the technology for liquid and gas separations, including potable water, process water, and wastewater treatment; food and beverage processing; biopharmaceuticals production; other large-scale liquid separations; and industrial gas separation. Global market drivers and trends, with data from 2015, estimates for 2016, and projections of CAGRs through 2021 also are provided.