Market Potential and Application Prospects of Antifouling RO Membranes in Water Treatment

With the global shortage of water resources becoming increasingly critical, reverse osmosis (RO) technology has emerged as a cornerstone of modern water treatment systems due to its high efficiency in desalination and purification. RO membranes are now widely deployed in seawater desalination, municipal water supply, and industrial wastewater recycling. However, membrane fouling-particularly biofouling caused by organic compounds and microbial adhesion-continues to pose a serious operational challeng...

In China, the government's 14th Five-Year Plan actively supports water recycling and circular economy strategies, fostering the rapid expansion of membrane-based technologies in environmental protection, municipal water, and chemical industries. The RO membrane market reached RMB 11.6 billion in 2023, growing by over 18% year-on-year. With rising demands for high-flux, low-energy, and fouling-resistant membranes, the market is shifting towards advanced solutions that address common pain points such as ...

Antifouling RO membranes, known for their resistance to organic adhesion and ease of cleaning, are becoming preferred choices in membrane engineering systems. Hydrophilic-modified membranes, zwitterionic polymer membranes, and antibacterial composite membranes have gained traction in wastewater reuse and ultrapure water production. Notably, a COSG-modified RO membrane developed by Tianjin University demonstrated outstanding performance under organic and microbial fouling tests, with over 40% lower flux ...

From a market perspective, global membrane manufacturers are accelerating deployment. International brands such as DuPont, Hydranautics, and Toray have launched new generations of antifouling RO membranes, while domestic companies including Vontron, Sander Membrane, and Bluestar Toray are expanding application scenarios in wastewater reuse, zero liquid discharge (ZLD), and industrial cooling water systems.

Looking forward, the application potential of antifouling RO membranes will continue to expand. On one hand, with the advancement of China's dual-carbon strategy, low-energy and environmentally friendly membrane systems will be central to future infrastructure. On the other hand, high-end sectors such as electronics and biopharmaceuticals demand next-generation membranes with stronger antifouling capabilities. By 2028, China's antifouling RO membrane market is expected to surpass RMB 20 billion, making it o...