Research Overview
Lengthy and Costly Technology Validation Process Hinders Timely Introduction
of Water Treatment Products
Lengthy and expensive technological validation requirements mandated by the
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are a key challenge facing
the U.S. membrane elements market. Although large-scale municipal water
treatment projects present a highly profitable opportunity, membrane
technologies are required to be piloted and validated before companies are
allowed to bid for a project. This process may take anywhere between six months
and a year. In addition, the validation requirements differ from state to state
and entail significant up-front investments, causing a further slowdown in
launching water treatment products. Contractual terms have also become more
stringent and membrane suppliers need to be prepared to take on more risks in
terms of guaranteeing long-term performance of their products. Well-established
and larger manufacturers that can leverage on their existing competitive
advantage are better positioned to profit from opportunities in the membrane
elements market.
This Frost & Sullivan research service focuses on polymeric membrane
separation technologies currently available in the ultrafiltration,
nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis membrane elements markets. It also provides
in-depth analysis of current industry challenges and market trends, as well as
growth potential in the various membrane market segments.
Increasingly Stringent Regulatory Requirements Drive Membrane Elements Market
Several new and existing government regulations to ensure the safety and
quality of public water supply are driving growth in the membrane element
market. The Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, in particular,
restricts the usage of conventional filtration technologies that fail to control
pathogen outbreaks efficiently. "Compared to conventional water treatment,
where quality of treated water varies with feed water quality, membrane
filtration is capable of yielding water of consistent quality regardless of the
source," explains the analyst. The ultrafiltration technology is capable of
removing 99.99 percent of pathogens present in water.
Membrane suppliers are also investing heavily in research and development to
improve product quality and increase versatility in design and capabilities.
This has played a vital role in bringing the prices of membrane elements in line
with those of conventional water treatment options. In addition, membrane
elements are more energy efficient, less labor intensive, and also available in
smaller footprints.
Aging Infrastructure Propels Future Investment in Membrane Elements
Findings released by the American Society of Civil Engineers indicate that
most of the drinking and wastewater treatment systems in the United States are
approaching the end of their life expectancy. "At the same time, constant
expansion of population and industrial activities are increasing demand for
clean water," observes the analyst. "Water infrastructure upgrades and
wastewater reuse through membrane water treatment technology are likely to be
adopted in order to resolve the demand-supply gap."
Increasing levels of product refinements are also providing the membrane
elements market with positive growth opportunities. Pharmaceuticals and
microelectronics manufacturing requires precise and reliable purification
processes, therefore, these industries rely on advanced separation technologies
such as membrane processes to ensure that product specifications are adequately
met.
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Table Of Contents
1. Executive Summary
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1. Introduction
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1. Introduction to the U.S. Ultrafiltration Nanofiltration and
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Reverse Osmosis Membrane Elements Markets
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2. Summary of Major Findings
2. Key Industry Challenges
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1. Top Industry Challenges
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1. Top 10 Industry Challenges
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2. Analysis of key Industry Challenges
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a. Lengthy and Costly Technology Validation Process
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b. Fierce Competition Jeopardizes Funding Allocated to
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Research and Development
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c. Lack of Product Standardization in UF Technology Fosters
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Apprehension in Potential End Users
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d. Commoditization of RO Membrane Technology Hampers Product
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Differentiation
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e. Conventional Treatment Remains a Key Competition
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f. Brine Concentrate Disposal as a Potential Limiting Factor
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g. Ongoing Performance and Operational Challenge as Membrane
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Application Base Broadens
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h. Continued R&D Investment Needed to Cope with Industrial Demand
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i. Companies must Follow Key Growth in End User Sectors
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j. General Fluctuations in the Economy Create Uncertainties in
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Industrial Demand for Water Purification Products
3. Measurement Analysis of Total UF NF and RO Membrane Elements Markets
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1. Total UF NF and RO Market Analysis
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1. Market Overview
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2. Market Engineering Measurement System
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3. Definitions
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4. Segmentation
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5. Membrane Technology
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6. Differences Between UF NF and RO
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7. Cross Flow Filtration
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2. Market Forecasts
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1. Market Drivers
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a. Increasingly Stringent Water Quality Legislation
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b. Aging Infrastructure
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c. Continuous Improvement in Membrane Technology and Pricing
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d. Consistency in Permeate Quality
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e. Heightened Demand in Clean Water Supply due to Population
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Growth
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f. Increasing Public Concern of Parasites and Bioterrorist
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Contamination of Drinking Water
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g. Dwindling Fresh Water Resources Leads to the Use of
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Alternative Water Resources
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h. Increasing Aversion Towards Chemical Water Treatment
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i. Inability of Conventional Water Treatment to Remove
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Specific Compounds Present in Wastewater
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j. Increasing Use of Reverse Osmosis is Facilitating Need
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for Ultrafiltration Membranes
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k. Improvement in Energy Efficiency of Reverse Osmosis System
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l. Heightened Water Purity Requirements of Industrial End Users
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m.Increasing Production of High-Technology Products
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n. Industrial End User Moving Towards Abstracting Its Own
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Water Supply
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o. Desire to Have a Continuous Rather Than a Batch Process
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p. Industrial Discharge Quality Requirement Drives Industries
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to Treat Their Own Wastewater
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q. Increasing Demand of Single-Use Virus Filters in Medical
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and Biopharmaceutical Processes
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r. Increased Use of UF in the Manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals
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Products
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2. Market Restraints
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a. High Capital Costs Prohibit Public Utilities From Adopting
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Membrane Water Treatment
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b. End Users Unfamiliarity with Capabilities and Operation of
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Membrane Systems
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c. Stigma Associated With Previous Failures
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d. Inadequate Regulatory Standards That Drive High Discharge
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Effluent Quality
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e. Increasing Commoditization and Low Membrane Prices Offsetting
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Profit
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f. Membrane Water Treatment as a Paradigm Shift Especially Amongst
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Antiquated Water Treatment Utilities
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g. Tardy Acceptance of Membrane Use Within Technical Communities
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h. Industrial Stagnation Retarding Needs for Membrane Filtration Products
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i. Underdevelopment of RO and NF Technology in Water Re-use Market
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j. Process Compression in Biopharmaceutical Industry Reducing
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Demand for UF Membranes
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k. Competing Separation Technologies
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3. Revenue Forecasts
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3. Competitive Analysis
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1. Competitive Structure
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2. Competitive Structural Analysis
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3. Competitive Strategies of Leading Suppliers
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4. Key Manufacturers and Product Offerings
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4. Market Trends
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1. Industry Trend
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2. Technology Trend
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3. End Users Trend
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4. Pricing Trend
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5. Trends by Product Type
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5. Frost and Sullivan Awards
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1. Business Development Strategy Leadership Award
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2. Market Penetration Leadership Award
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3. Product Line Strategy Award
4. U.S. Ultrafiltration (UF) Membrane Element Markets
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1. Total UF Elements Market Analysis
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1. Market Overview and Definitions
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2. Market Engineering Measurement System
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3. Revenue Forecasts
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4. Pricing Trend
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5. Competitive Environment
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6. End Users Analysis
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7. Technical Comparison Commercial UF Elements
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2. Strategic Analysis and Forecasts of the Cassette/Flat Sheet
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Ultrafilter Markets
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1. Market Overview and Definitions
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2. Research Measurement System
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3. Revenue Forecasts
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4. Competitive Structure
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5. Key Manufactures Market Share
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3. Strategic Analysis and Forecasts of Spiral Wound Ultrafilter Markets
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1. Market Overview and Definitions
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2. Research Measurement System
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3. Revenue Forecasts
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4. Competitive Structure
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5. Key Manufacturers Market Share
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4. Strategic Analysis and Forecasts of the Hollow Fiber/Tubular Ultrafilter
Markets
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1. Market Overview and Definitions
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2. Research Measurement System
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3. Revenue Forecasts
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4. Competitive Structure
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5. Key Manufacturers Market Share
5. U.S. RO and NF Membrane Elements Markets
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1. Total RO and NF Market Analysis
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1. Market Overview and Definitions
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2. Market Engineering Measurement System
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3. Revenue Forecasts
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4. Key Applications Analysis
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5. Pricing Trend
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6. Competitive Environment
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2. Strategic Analysis and Forecasts of the RO Membrane Elements Markets
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1. Market Overview and Definitions
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2. Research Measurement System
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3. Technology and Applications
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4. Revenue Forecasts
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5. Competitive Structure
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6. Key Manufacturers Market Share
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7. End User Trend
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3. Strategic Analysis and Forecasts of the NF Membrane Elements Markets
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1. Market Overview and Definitions
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2. Research Measurement System
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3. Revenue Forecasts
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4. Competitive Structure
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5. Key Manufacturers Market Share
6. Decision Support Database
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1. Water Management Services
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1. Total Global Fresh Water Resources
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2. Total Global Annual Water Consumption
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3. Global Fresh Water Withdrawal as a Percentage of Resources
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4. Total Global Fresh Water Withdrawal
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5. Global Expenditure on Waste/Wastewater Management
