Tougher purity needs drive microfiltration demand

Norwalk, Connnecticut -- The global market for microfiltration (MF) membranes for liquid separation applications is set to grow from $792 million in 2005 to $1.2 billion by 2010 – an average annual growth rate of 9.4% – US market analysis firm BCC Research forecasts.

According to a BCC report, growth is being driven in particular by new Environmental Protection Agency and Food & Drug Administration regulations, as well as higher purity standards required by various industries.

Lower operating costs and improved materials and module technologies, meanwhile,are increasing the adoption of MF in several areas. These include drinking water treatment, wastewater filtration, microbial stabilisation of wine and beer and biotechnology and semiconductor fabrication, said BCC.

The report highlights significant potential for MF in wastewater treatment, where sales of membrane bioreactors using MF modules are a rapidly growing membrane application. Other promising areas include in producing low-carbohydrate dairy beverages as well as membrane replacement opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector.