Growing contamination in water bodies worldwide is the key factor fueling the reverse osmosis membrane market size expansion. That is because it heightens worries about waterborne diseases. As industrialization expands in developing and developed countries, the industrial waste volume in water bodies is likely to rise. This will further drive increased demand. Governments are countering this threat by investing in the installation of new water treatment systems and the upgrade of existing ones.
The total investment by state and local governments in the United States for the infrastructure and maintenance of wastewater facilities has exceeded USD 2 trillion over the past years. The rise in initiatives by major reverse osmosis membrane market players around the world is anticipated to generate valuable growth opportunities.
The reverse osmosis membrane market has suffered due to the pandemic. RO technology plays a crucial role in treating wastewater across multiple sectors. That includes industrial and residential. The global disruption caused by the outbreak has negatively impacted these sectors. The pandemic further stalled the water sector’s progress during the lockdown. This leads to numerous supply chain interruptions for the industry. The shutdowns and reduction in activities caused changes to demand patterns.
Despite the challenges, the crisis has reinforced the importance of sanitation and clean water access. It has in the long run expedited numerous water treatment programs. This led to increased government investments worldwide and elevated political priority on water issues.
Key factors contributing to the reverse osmosis membrane market growth include the surging population and ongoing urbanization. There is also increasing pollution in developing nations across the globe. The global market is also set to expand as a result of the potential shortage of potable water. The increasing worldwide demand for water is also forecasted to drive further growth in the industry.
The market is experiencing further growth due to the increasing need for desalination plants to meet the escalating water requirements. The global market is likely to experience considerable growth opportunities due to the surging demand for reverse osmosis membranes used in wastewater treatment. Increasing water scarcity and evolving government mandates for treating industrial and municipal wastewater will boost the industry. It is particularly in fast-growing economies like India and China.
International organizations including the WHO have established drinking water standards and guidelines that impact countries globally. Along with government programs, these measures are likely to enhance industry growth in the years ahead.
The wastewater segment holds the largest revenue share globally. The segment is likely to grow due to improving international regulations requiring wastewater treatment and escalating water shortages. The requirement for potable water which is rising in developing and developed regions around the globe is likely to contribute to the segment growth.
Despite this, the industrial processing represents a significant portion of the market. It is because of the growing demand from various industrial applications. This surge in industrial demand is primarily due to increasing global industrialization. It is contributing to higher levels of industrial waste in water bodies. That potentially drives segment growth.
The cellulose-based segment will probably have the highest share and is likely to lead the market in the coming years. It is thanks to the ongoing issue of inadequate potable water in both emerged and emerging economies. The growing need for cleaning wastewater is likely to fuel segment growth. The thin-film composite segment will witness the most significant growth in the market.
Thin-film membranes mainly see applications in systems for water purification and desalination. The increasing requirement for desalination due to population growth and swift industrial progress is likely to drive substantial growth opportunities for this segment. The thin-film composites are likely to see rising demand due to their key characteristics. That includes high contaminant rejection rates and fast filtration capabilities. They also have strong chemical and mechanical stability.
According to the region, North America leads the global reverse osmosis membrane market. It holds the highest share and is likely to continue dominating the industry in the upcoming period. North America’s top market share is driven by the escalating demand for clean water for its growing population. There is also the need to support various industries. That includes electric utilities, agriculture, and mining. Having a significant key participant in the region will create significant growth opportunities for the market.
The Asia Pacific region is also the second-largest player in the market and is likely to see more significant growth relative to other areas. This notable expansion is because of the rising population and growing urbanization in emerging countries. It is notably China, India, and Singapore.