Nanofiltration

Report Highlights

• The global market for nanofiltration membranes increased from $89.1 million in 2006 to an estimated $97.5 million by the end of 2007. It should reach $310.5 million by 2012, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.1%.
• The water treatment sector is projected to account for 72.7% of total revenues in 2007, worth an estimated $70.9 million in 2007 and expected to reach $238.2 million by 2012, a CAGR of 27.4%.
• Continued growth in regulations aimed at protecting the environment will positively affect the future expansion of the nanofiltration membranes market.

INTRODUCTION

Nanofiltration is a pressure-driven, membrane-based separation process whose characteristics fall between those of ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis.

Nanofiltration membranes were first introduced during the late 1970s, for water filtration and purification. However, starting in the early 1990s, the number of research activities resulting in patent applications and issued patents has increased rapidly, by a factor of six, leading to the development of innovative materials, advanced properties, and an increased number of applications spanning many industrial sectors.

The growing interest in the utilization of nanofiltration membranes primarily stems from their unique physical properties, making them particularly well suited for specific applications, as a low-cost alternative (both in terms of unit price and operating costs) to reverse osmosis.

The primary reason for doing this study is to establish a market overview of the nanofiltration membrane industry by quantifying sales of these products based on their types and fields of application.

There is also a need to evaluate the current status and future trends of the nanofiltration membrane industry from a global standpoint. As use of this technology expands, information-on regional production, sales, and type of suppliers-becomes more valuable.

An equally important reason for performing this study is to supply a review of the fabrication methods used for manufacturing nanofiltration membranes, to identify current technical issues, and to illustrate the latest technological developments and their impact on market expansion.

SCOPE OF STUDY

This report:

• Projects global market opportunities for nanofiltration through the year 2012.
• Analyzes markets for applications in food, textiles, caustic cleaning solutions, recycling of acid solutions, water treatment and processing, antibiotics and many other key market segments.
• Profiles the important manufacturers, discusses key technologies and documents key factors driving demand trends.
• Includes government regulations, industry structure, major companies and market shares, trends in price and price/performance.
• Analysis patents, provides R&D update and complete company profiles.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

The technology section of this report is based on information derived from technical literature, related BCC's reports, professional journals, author's field experience, and online sources.

Global market analysis was performed by analyzing 25 suppliers of nanofiltration membranes, accounting for at least 98% of the global market. Data for each company were obtained by thoroughly analyzing SEC filings, Internet Web sites, annual reports, industry directories, industry magazines and catalogs, government sources, and other public sources.

Additional data were obtained from the direct contribution of primary sources, including: company executives, managers, engineers and other technical personnel representing manufacturers of nanofiltration membranes and process equipment; representatives of academia and trade associations; and industry market analysts.

Secondary sources of information include:

• EDGAR-U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions Filings
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• European Patent Office
• Company Web Sites
• Company Annual Reports
• Thomas Registers
• Moody's Directory
• S & P Industry Survey
• Dun & Bradstreet Business Directory
• Foreign Chamber of Commerce Directories
• Foreign Stock Exchange Listings

In addition to utilizing the above primary and secondary sources, market growth trends and forecasts were compiled by gaining additional insights from relevant financial and market information, relevant BCC reports, and the author's own in-depth analysis of all the information.

ANALYST CREDENTIALS

Margareth Gagliardi has 25 years of experience in the field of advanced materials, specializing in ceramic formulations, materials processing, and new product development. She has held management positions in both manufacturing and R&D within U.S. and European firms producing electronic, mechanical, chemical and structural components. She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.S. in Ceramic Engineering.

She has authored several BCC Research studies, including the following, which are related to advanced materials and nanotechnology:

• NAN043A-Nanofibers: Technologies and Developing Markets, 2007
• NAN042A-Nanorobotics and NEMS, 2007
• SMC061A-Atomic Layer Deposition, 2006
• AVM052A-Aerogels, 2006
• SMC057A, Thin Films: Raw Materials, Technology and Applications, 2005.