Global Membrane Waste Water Treatment Market

Description

Membrane-based technologies use a permeable barrier to transport substances between two mixtures. In wastewater treatment, they are used to separate materialssuch as solid, liquid, or gas, which is hazardous to environment & health, and contain recoverable resources. The separation process is purely physical, with pressure, concentration, electric potential, or temperature gradient differences between the different fractions aiding the process. The pore sizes in the membranes determine the quality of separation. The ultra or micro filtration helps in removing particles, colloids, and macromolecules from the wastewater. Membrane-based treatment processes can remove pathogens like viruses, bacteria, yeasts etc. from the wastewater. They are less energy intensive, easily operable, andrequire minimal maintenance.They create arestricted amount of discharges. They are used in conjunction with biological wastewater treatment processes like activated sludge to more effectively remove wasteand create high-quality water for reuse.

End-user/Technology

The major end-users of membrane wastewater treatment are inthe water, recreation, food, alcohol, chemical, biotechnology, paper, and pharmaceuticalindustries. In water industry, this method is used fortreating wastewater for municipal and industrial uses. They are also used to desalinate seawater for drinking uses. Membrane-based wastewater treatment processes cater to sensitive water requirements for water-sports and recreation. They have found use in the treatment of high-strength industrial wastes produced while making alcohols, sauces, medicines etc. They are used to remove and recover chemical compounds from the wastewater. Paper and pulp with high water requirements find this method suitable to recover and reuse water from their wastewaters.

Market Dynamics

The demand for membrane wastewater treatment is mainly driven by the strict government safety regulations for effluent discharges, public water requirements, diverse & complex varieties of wastewater requiring treatment, andcost reductions over the years. The ability of reuse of discharges, decreasing freshwater resources, and greater demographic requirements will further boost it.
This increasing demand is constrained by lack of design standards. Another impediment is itslack of awareness. These same constraints entail multi-billion opportunity for growth in this industry as the technology improves and costs come down.

Market Segmentation

The market can be segmented in terms of the types of the configuration used,considerations required,and by its application.
Segmentation based on configuration includes internal and external. On the basis of considerations required, it can be classified for fouling control, biological performance, and hydrodynamics. Based on application, it can be classified on the basis of the industrial sectors of its end users.
All of the above segmentations are fluid as new technologies emerge for different sectors. Additionally, the geographical concentration of the markets and the makers give an additional layout to these segments.

Regional/Geographic Analysis

The USA, Europe (Germany), andJapan, house almost all of the top membrane based wastewater treatment companies, granting them a dominant market share. Although USA and Europecurrently drive the technical standards and are the largestmarkets, future growth will come from APAC(China, India) with their booming economies and growing water & its recycling needs.

Opportunities

Technological innovation in the sector has brought down membrane costs enabling it to become the more mainstream option for wastewater treatment. Upgradation of existing water treatment facilities, demand for newer ones are bringing forth newer opportunities in the developed and developing economies, especially the arid ones.

Key Players

Some of the major players in the market include Aquatech, Atkins, CH2M, Dow, Enviroquip, Evoqua, GE, IDE,Koch, Kubota, Schlumberger, Siemens, and Toray.