In an era marked by heightened environmental awareness and increased investments in sustainable solutions, the paradigm shift from traditional engineering to impactful outcomes has taken center stage. Nowhere is this transition more evident than in the water treatment sector, where the rapid evolution of membrane filtration technology is reshaping the landscape. This article explores the dynamic changes, opportunities, and challenges that have shaped the membrane industry, positioning it as a vital player in the sustainable development of water treatment.
1.A Sustainable Potential Track & Market Dynamics
As of 2021, China’s membrane industry has witnessed unprecedented growth, marked by over 300 large-scale MBR water treatment projects, with processing capacities ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 m³/d. The compound growth rate of the industry from 2009 to 2021 has soared to an impressive 24.77%, projecting a total output value of 323 billion yuan in 2021 and an anticipated surge to 500 billion yuan by 2025.
The driving force behind this surge lies in the critical need for water treatment solutions in a country grappling with severe water scarcity. With per capita possession of water a mere quarter of the world average, China’s water resources are under immense pressure. A staggering 22 provinces faced water shortages in 2021, earning the nation a spot among the 13 countries with the poorest water resources according to the United Nations.
To meet the ambitious goals outlined in the “14th Five-Year Plan,” which aims to increase the urbanization rate to 65% by 2025, China must add 3-5 billion m³ of water resources. The answer to this water scarcity puzzle lies in sewage recycling, an area where membrane technology proves indispensable. The current low recycling rates of urban and county sewage (less than 30% and 14%, respectively) underscore the vast potential for sewage resource utilization, with membranes playing a pivotal role.
Simultaneously, the prolonged issue of water environment pollution further propels the demand for advanced water treatment solutions. National policies advocating for the acceleration of reverse osmosis membranes and nanofiltration membranes, coupled with improved membrane bioreactors and cost reduction measures, underscore the strategic importance of the membrane industry in addressing these challenges.
The consumable attributes of membrane products, their sustainability compared to traditional models, and the diverse range of membrane materials, including microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis membranes, all contribute to the sustained growth potential of the membrane market.
2. Application Expansion: Membranes at the Forefront of Innovation
A defining characteristic of membrane technology is its ability to achieve the separation, purification, and concentration of various components, making it a versatile solution for resource transformation. With a separation accuracy reaching nanometer levels, stable effluent water quality, and minimal chemical usage, membrane technology finds extensive application across multiple scenarios.
High-difficulty Wastewater Treatment
High-difficulty wastewater, stemming from industrial activities like printing, dyeing, papermaking, and semiconductor production, presents unique challenges due to its poor biodegradability. Membrane technology, particularly high-pressure membrane separation such as reverse osmosis, has emerged as a key player in treating difficult wastewater. The combination of ultrafiltration and nanofiltration technologies enhances small molecule removal, ensuring reliable water output without the risk of membrane fouling.
Municipal Sewage Advanced Treatment and Recycled Water
With over two decades of application in China, membrane technology has become integral to municipal sewage treatment. Widely employed methods include MBR and the “secondary effluent + MF/UF” process, effectively intercepting pollutants, increasing sludge concentration, and reducing energy consumption. The “secondary effluent + MF/UF + NF/RO” process finds application in producing reclaimed water for various purposes.
Ultrapure Water Preparation
In the field of ultrapure water preparation, membrane technology plays a crucial role, ensuring the highest quality water for sensitive applications.
Seawater Desalination with RO as the Core Process
Reverse osmosis technology dominates seawater desalination projects, surpassing 60% of completed initiatives. Its efficiency, low energy consumption, and easy automatic control position it as the preferred choice, underscoring the versatility of membrane technology.
As membrane technology continues to advance, its cost-effectiveness and ability to meet evolving market demands unleash a plethora of opportunities, ensuring its relevance across diverse applications and industries. The membrane industry’s journey from a niche technology to a transformative force reflects its unwavering commitment to a sustainable future.
3. Membrane Challenges: Overcoming Hurdles in the Pursuit of Water Treatment Excellence
To address China’s water shortage crisis and leverage sewage resources effectively, membrane technology stands as an indispensable solution. However, the membrane industry is not without its share of challenges, with three key issues posing hurdles to its seamless development.
Problem 1: Membrane Fouling and Clogging
While membrane technology offers superior effluent quality compared to traditional methods, it grapples with a significant drawback—membrane fouling. The intricate composition of sewage leads to the accumulation of microorganisms and metal ions on the membrane’s surface or within its pores, causing clogging. This, in turn, diminishes membrane performance and shortens its lifespan. The frequent replacement of membrane elements due to fouling increases operational costs, presenting a considerable challenge for companies in the industry.
Problem 2: Limited Market Share in High-End Industrial Membranes
Over the past two decades, China’s membrane industry has achieved rapid growth, particularly in low-pressure membranes such as microfiltration and ultrafiltration. However, in the high-end industrial membrane market, specifically reverse osmosis and nanofiltration, international companies command a substantial 70% market share. Despite strides in developing independent intellectual property rights for low-pressure membranes, China faces the challenge of penetrating the high-end market and reducing reliance on imports.
Problem 3: Integration Challenges in Industry, Academia, and Research
A critical challenge for the membrane industry lies in bridging the gap between scientific research and practical application. China faces difficulty industrializing the research outcomes of certain scientific institutes, indicative of a wider technological gap with the global membrane field. The integration of industry, academia, and research remains a pressing issue, necessitating innovative approaches to enhance technology transfer efficiency.
Resonating with Industry Evolution
Membrane products emerge as the linchpin of the water treatment industry, positioned to tackle imminent social challenges like water pollution and shortages. The inherent advantages of the membrane industry, coupled with a diverse and expansive domestic market, create a space ripe with imaginative possibilities. Significant advancements in product performance and cost-effectiveness, fueled by years of industry development, underscore the growing influence of membrane technology nationwide.
As the membrane industry navigates the dynamic landscape of competition and innovation, the challenges it faces become catalysts for future breakthroughs. The interplay between demand upgrades and industrial iteration heralds a new era for membranes. In the evolving landscape of the water treatment industry, the membrane sector anticipates fresh opportunities in response to escalating societal demands for water safety and quality.
Undoubtedly, challenges accompany opportunities, and the membrane industry, marked by intense competition among numerous domestic brands, stands at a pivotal crossroads. The collective efforts and innovations within this industry will script a compelling new chapter, shaping the future of water treatment.
Upcoming Event: Watertech China 2024, Shanghai Edition
Watertech China, one of the world’s largest water treatment exhibitions, is set to commence its 16th edition from June 3rd to 5th, 2024, at the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center. Serving as a premier business exchange and display platform for both domestic and overseas corporate brands, the event spans the realms of water purification, municipal administration, and industrial water treatment, covering an expansive exhibition space of 190,000 square meters. Envisioned to host 2,500 companies from across the water treatment industry, the exhibition promises to shape the future of the industry. With over 80% of booths already reserved, the organizers extend a sincere invitation for more companies to actively participate and contribute to the unfolding narrative of the water treatment industry.