Report: Cross-Flow Membrane, System Sales to Rise From $7.5 Billion to $8.7 Billion by 2012

Oct. 27, 2009
Largest segment will be new reverse osmosis equipment

The sales of cross-flow membranes and systems will rise by more than $1.2 billion in the next three years, according to the McIlvaine Co.’s new report, “RO, UF, MF World Markets.”

The largest segment will be new reverse osmosis equipment (RO). This includes the typical skid but not connecting piping or other items extraneous to the skid. RO is the technology of choice for desalination, computer chip wash water and water for injection in the pharmaceutical industry, the company said. Residential and commercial buildings are increasingly fitted with point-of-use RO systems for food, beverage and drinking water applications, according to McIlvaine Co.

The report also showed that desalination is the single biggest market with cross-flow system and membrane sales rising from $2 billion in 2009 to $2.5 billion in 2012.

Plus, McIlvaine Co. reported that microfiltration and ultrafiltration equipment is competing with the traditional sand filter in drinking water plants. Ultrafiltration is popular in food processing. Ceramic membranes have temperature advantages for higher temperature applications in a variety of industries.

Replacement membranes are a growing market with big companies such as Dow as leaders, McIlvaine Co. said. The equipment leaders include major corporations such as GE and Siemens. There are increasing numbers of Asian suppliers to meet the growing demand throughout the region.

China is the largest purchaser of the cross-flow membrane equipment, according to the report. One reason for this is the large number of coal-fired boilers being constructed--these need ultra-pure water for the boiler steam cycle, and RO typically is used to obtain the purity.

Source: McIlvaine Co.

Sponsored Recommendations

Strut Comparison Chart

March 12, 2024
Conduit support systems are an integral part of construction infrastructure. Compare steel, aluminum and fiberglass strut support systems.

Energy Efficient System Design for WWTPs

Feb. 7, 2024
System splitting with adaptive control reduces electrical, maintenance, and initial investment costs.

Blower Isentropic Efficiency Explained

Feb. 7, 2024
Learn more about isentropic efficiency and specific performance as they relate to blowers.

How to Build a Better Blower Station

Feb. 7, 2024
Designing a blower aeration system for a wastewater treatment plant has many moving pieces. Each contributes to the overall health and efficiency of the system and the impact ...