The fruits of growing research and development in forward osmosis for desalination are highlighted in a recent sector report as drivers of growth in the market for membrane separation technologies running to at least 2020.
Environmental concerns and increasingly stringent government regulations in water and wastewater treatment will drive growth in the membrane separation market until 2020 according to market researcher, Grand View Research.
The report forecasts mergers and acquisitions, “to remain the key growth strategy” among the leading players in the market.
The Grand View study said microfiltration dominated the membrane separation market in 2013 at more than 30% of the total. And water and wastewater treatment was the strongest application segment in the year contributing more than 35% to the overall market share. The report held out desalination as a major force in nanofiltration demand.
Europe was the most dominant region in 2013 according to the report with more than 35%of the global membrane separation market. Asia Pacific was picked out as promising high growth through to 2020 spurred by manufacturing growth and tighter regulations in water and wastewater treatment. And the researcher predicted significant growth in developing markets from a mounting need for wastewater treatment. However
Membrane fouling, chemical corrosion and faulty installation and maintenance “may hinder membrane separation market growth” according to Grand View. Furthermore, high installation and operational costs coupled with lack of funds in developing nations were seen as likely obstacles.
The report named key market players as including 3M Purification, GEA Filtration, Koch, Pall Corporation, Merck Millipore, Nitto Denko Corporation, Veolia Environnement and Dow Chemical Company.