December 2025
The global water treatment membrane market size was estimated at USD 10.18 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 11.07 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach around USD 23.64 billion by 2035, The market is expanding at a CAGR of 8.79% between 2026 and 2035. North America dominated the water treatment membrane market with a market share of 39.85% the global market in 2025.The increasing strain on freshwater resources and growing industrial expansion drive the market growth.

The water treatment membrane market growth is driven by increasing need for clean drinking water, high strain on freshwater resources, stringent regulations on wastewater discharge, expansion of the pharmaceutical sector, increasing reuse of water, and growing water contamination.
The growing use of technologies like ultrafiltration, microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and nanofiltration removes contaminants like dissolved solids, pathogens, & solid particles and offers high-purity water. The growing water reuse across applications like potable supply, agriculture, and industrial processes increases demand for water treatment membrane.
A water treatment membrane is a type of semi-permeable barrier that separates clean water from concentrated waste. The membrane allows the flow of only water molecules for diverse applications like wastewater reuse, drinking, and industrial purposes. The membrane is available in diverse pore sizes and is made up of materials like ceramics, metals, polymers, and others.
A water treatment membrane is available in diverse shapes, like tubular, spiral wound, hollow fiber, and flat sheet. The membrane purifies seawater, surface water, and groundwater. These membrane is widely used in applications like wastewater treatment, desalination, drinking water, and industrial processes.
| Report Attribute | Details |
| Market Size Value in 2026 | USD 11.07 Billion |
| Revenue Forecast in 2035 | USD 23.64 Billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR 8.79% |
| Forecast Period | 2026 - 2035 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Dominant Region | North America |
| Fastest Growing Region | Asia Pacific |
| Segments covered | By Technology, By Sales Channel, By End Use, By Region |
| Key companies profiled | Asahi Kasei Corporation , DuPont , Hydranautics , Koch Separation and Solutions, Pall Corporation , Pentair, Suez Water Technologies and Solutions, Toray Industries Inc, LG Chem Ltd, Veolia, Alfa Laval, Evoqua Water Technologies, Xylem |
The water treatment membrane market is undergoing key technological shifts driven by the demand for sustainability, lower fouling, and higher efficiency. The technological innovations like smart membranes, integrated systems, novel materials, digitalization, energy-efficient designs, IoT integration, and bio-integrated systems treat tough contaminants and minimize energy. The major shift is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) enables operational efficiency and optimizes performance.
AI adjusts parameters like flow rate, aeration intensity, pH, & chemical dosing and increases the efficiency of the process. AI detects equipment failures and minimizes membrane fouling. AI lowers operational expenditure and effectively removes contaminants from water. AI accelerates the discovery process of new materials and easily predicts new membrane performance. AI optimizes water cleaning cycles and reduces the use of unnecessary processes. Overall, integration of AI ensures high performance and supports intelligent operations.
| Type | Pore Size | Uses | Majorly Installed Industries |
| Reverse Osmosis | 0.0001 µm |
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| Nanofiltration | 0.1 to 10 nm |
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| Microfiltration | 0.1 to 10 µm |
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| Ultrafiltration | 0.01 to 0.1 µm |
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Why Reverse Osmosis (RO) Membrane Segment Dominates the Water Treatment Membrane Market?
The reverse osmosis (RO) membrane segment dominated the water treatment membrane market in 2025. The strong focus on removing superior contaminants and the increasing need for high-quality water require an RO membrane. The increased conversion of brackish water & seawater into potable water and the rise in utilization of residential purifiers increase demand for RO membranes. The adaptability of the RO membrane in massive plants & residential units and the energy-efficient process help market expansion. The growing use of RO in applications like process water, drinking water, and wastewater treatment drives the overall market growth.
The nanofiltration (NF) membrane segment is the fastest-growing in the market during the forecast period. The growing water scarcity issues and focus on removing contaminants from water increase the use of nanofiltration. The cost-effectiveness and selective contaminant removal property of nanofiltration help market growth. The growing need for water softening and wastewater treatment uses NF. The increasing use of NF across sectors like pharma, municipal drinking water, F&B, and chemical processing supports the market growth.
The ultrafiltration (UF) membrane segment is growing at a significant rate in the market. The strong focus on removing contaminants like bacteria, macromolecules, and suspended solids from water requires UF. The energy efficiency minimized chemical dependency, and compact footprint of ultrafiltration help market expansion. The increasing need for treated wastewater recycling and clean water regulations requires UF, supporting the overall market growth.
How did the Aftersales Segment hold the Largest Share in the Water Treatment Membrane Market?
The aftersales segment held the largest revenue share in the water treatment membrane market in 2025. The growing need for the replacement of membranes and increased degradation of membrane performance increases demand for aftersales. The strong focus on cleaning chemicals & maintenance, and the increasing need for operational adjustments, increases the use of aftersales. The strong focus on ensuring operational efficiency and the growing installation of water treatment membrane drive the market growth.
The original equipment manufacturers (OEM) segment is experiencing the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The increasing need for customized membrane solutions across various industries and a strong focus on water scarcity issues increase demand for OEMs. The strong focus on lowering operational expenses and integration with value-added services requires OEMs. The growing demand for scalable & compact systems and the need for diverse components increase the use of OEM, supporting the overall market growth.
Which End Use Segment Dominated the Water Treatment Membrane Market?
The industrial water treatment segment dominated the water treatment membrane industry in 2025. The continuous growth in the pharmaceutical sector and stringent industrial wastewater discharge rules increase demand for water treatment membrane. The increasing need for highly pure water across industries like chemicals, manufacturing, and power generation helps market expansion. The increasing investment of industries in water treatment membrane and high wastewater generation drive the overall market growth.
The municipal water treatment segment is the fastest-growing in the market during the forecast period. The high strain on freshwater resources and stringent regulations on water quality increase demand for water treatment membrane. The strong municipal focus on water reuse and depletion of freshwater resources requires a water treatment membrane. The municipality's strong focus on providing high-quality drinking water supports the overall market growth.
The residential water treatment segment is significantly growing in the market. The growing prevalence of health concerns and increased water shortage issues requires a water treatment membrane. The high strain on water supplies and stricter regulations on drinking water quality standards increase the use of water treatment membrane. The growing use of ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, microfiltration, and nanofiltration membrane in residential water treatment drives the overall market growth.
The North America water treatment membrane market size was valued at USD 4.06 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 9.44 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 8.81% from 2026 to 2035. North America dominated the market in 2025. The growing water scarcity issues and focus on modernizing aging water infrastructure increase the adoption of water treatment membrane. The strong focus on water reuse and the need for smart water management require a water treatment membrane. The growing demand for wastewater treatment across industries like power, pharmaceutical, and food & beverage increases demand for water treatment membrane, driving the overall market growth.

Filtering Water: The United States' Role in Water Treatment Membrane
The United States is a major contributor to the market. The stricter environmental mandates for high water quality and increasing water stress in areas like the Southwest increase demand for water treatment membrane. The increasing investment in water infrastructure and growing demand for safe drinking water require water treatment membrane. The growing industries like chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and food & beverage increase demand for water treatment membrane, supporting the overall market growth.
Asia Pacific Water Treatment Membrane Market Trends
Asia Pacific expects the fastest growth in the market during the predicted period. The growing water pollution and focus on sustainable water management require a water treatment membrane. The growing expansion of industries like oil & gas, food & beverage, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals increases demand for water treatment membrane. The stringent water treatment policies in countries like India and China, and strong government support for water infrastructure development, require water treatment membrane, driving the overall market growth.
Clean Water: China’s Rise in Water Treatment Membrane Technology
China is a key contributor to the market. The growing water pollution in the Northern area and a strong focus on reusing water increase demand for water treatment membrane. The increasing strain on water resources and increased consumption of processed food require a water treatment membrane. The increasing demand for high-quality water in diverse sectors like clean energy, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals requires water treatment membrane, supporting the overall market growth.
Europe Water Treatment Membrane Market Trends
Europe expects to grow at a significant rate in the market. The stringent regulations on wastewater treatment and growing waterborne diseases increase demand for water treatment membrane. The diminishing freshwater resources and strong focus on water conservation require a water treatment membrane. The aging water infrastructure and focus on lowering environmental footprints require water treatment membrane, driving the overall market growth.
Smart Filtration: How Germany is Shaping Water Treatment Membrane
Germany is growing substantially in the market. The increasing need for high-purity water in industries like electronics, pharma, and biotech increases demand for water treatment membrane. The strong focus on wastewater recycling and growing water scarcity issues requires a water treatment membrane. The strong government support for environment-friendly water treatment membrane supports the overall market growth.
Middle East & Africa Water Treatment Membrane Market Trends
The Middle East & Africa are growing in the market. The presence of limited freshwater resources and a strong focus on water desalination requires a water treatment membrane. The increasing prevalence of waterborne diseases and increasing investment in water infrastructure require water treatment membrane. The increased generation of wastewater in industries like power, food, and chemicals requires water treatment membrane, driving the overall market growth.
Saudi Arabia’s Water Treatment Membrane Revolution
Saudi Arabia is growing significantly in the market. The strong focus on converting seawater into freshwater and the presence of large-scale desalination plants require a water treatment membrane. The increasing need for safe drinking water and growing industrial activities require water treatment membrane. The increasing use of membranes like MF, RO, and UF drives the overall market growth.

South America Water Treatment Membrane Market Trends
South America is growing at a significant rate in the market. The increasing strain on water resources and stricter regulations on water discharge require a water treatment membrane. The growing health concerns and increasing water recycling for purposes like drinking water & irrigation require a water treatment membrane. The broadening sectors like mining, F&B, and pharma require high-purity water, which increases demand for water treatment membrane, supporting overall growth of the market.
Tropical Tech: Brazil’s Impact on Water Treatment Membrane Innovations
Brazil is growing substantially in the market. The pipe water deficiencies and the presence of old municipal water systems require a water treatment membrane. The increasing awareness about water pollution and a strong focus on water reuse require a water treatment membrane. The changing rainfall patterns and increasing use of reverse osmosis drive the overall market growth.
Asahi Kasei Corporation:- The Japanese chemical company developed water treatment membranes like Microza Hollow Fiber to serve diverse industries like pharmaceutical, chemical, power, and food.
DuPont:- The American-based company manufactures high-performance membranes like nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and integrated solutions for commercial, municipal, & industrial water treatment.
Hydranautics:- The advanced membrane technology company develops NF, MF, RO, and UF products to support applications like industrial process water, wastewater recycling, seawater desalination, and residential drinking water.
Koch Separation and Solutions:- The company provides ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, microfiltration, and nanofiltration membrane technology for wastewater & water treatment.
Pall Corporation:- The company is the leading provider of MF, RO, UF, and IMS for municipal water treatment and the production of ultrapure water.

By Technology
By Sales Channel
By End Use
By Region
December 2025
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