The surge in demand for microfiltration membranes from industrial wastewater treatment applications, along with the rise in demand from the pharmaceutical sector are the key driving forces for the microfiltration membrane market. Owing to such factors, the market is expected to generate $7,517.38 million revenue by 2030, showcasing a CAGR of 9.0% during the forecast period (2020–2030).
Microfiltration membranes play a major role in water and wastewater treatment, owing to their proven high performance and economic efficiency. However, on account of the outbreak of COVID-19, investments in the water sector, which is one of the major end users of microfiltration membranes, have slowed down globally. Additionally, there has been a temporary halt in the production of these membranes and their supply to industries, such as dairy, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and food & beverage.
The microfiltration membrane market is classified into polyether sulphone, polypropylene, PVDF, polytetrafluorethylene, polyether ketone, polyimide, cellulose, and others, based on material type. Among these, the PVDF category is expected to lead the market in coming years. PVDF membranes are widely used for the treatment of industrial and general water, owing to their ability to easily separate particles from air or liquid streams. Additionally, these membranes provide high-flow rates for solvent-based as well as mobile phase applications. Considering such factors, the category is expected to retain its dominance during the forecast period in the market.
Further, on the basis of application, the microfiltration membrane market is categorized into semiconductor & electronic, oil & gas, dairy, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, industrial wastewater treatment, and others. The industrial wastewater treatment category is expected to hold the largest revenue share in coming years. This can be primarily due to the rise in water scarcity as well as increase in need for good quality of water, across the globe.
Geographically, the microfiltration membrane market in APAC is expected to witness the fastest growth, on account of the rapid surge in demand for fresh water from developing countries, such as China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam. Additionally, governments’ support for the treatment of industrial wastewater is expected to further provide growth opportunities to the regional market during the forecast period.
Players in the microfiltration membrane market are engaging themselves in order to enhance their market presence. For instance, in January 2018, MICRODYN-NADIR GmbH, a water treatment business unit of MANN+HUMMEL GmbH, announced the acquisition of OLTREMARE SpA, a manufacturer of membrane elements, located in Fano, Italy. Through this acquisition, MICRODYN-NADIR GmbH would expand its business and provide more membrane filtration products to customers, globally.
Additionally, in September 2019, DuPont De Nemours Inc. announced the acquisition of BASF SE’s ultrafiltration membrane business. DuPont De Nemours Inc. signed an agreement with BASF SE to acquire headquarters, workforce, and manufacturing facility at Greifenberg, Germany. With this acquisition, DuPont De Nemours Inc. aims to strengthen its water solutions business by providing drinking water and treatment of industrial wastewater solutions, globally.
Alfa Laval AB, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Applied Membranes Inc., Toray Industries Inc., Koch Membrane Systems Inc., Graver Technologies LLC, Culligan International Company, Markel Corporation, 3M Company, Merck KGaA, and SUEZ are some of the key players operating in the global microfiltration membrane market.