Reverse Osmosis (RO) Membrane Market Report 2026

The reverse osmosis (ro) membrane market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $7.22 billion in 2025 to $7.87 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing demand for drinking water purification, historical use of membranes in desalination, expansion of industrial wastewater treatment, development of cellulose-based membrane technologies, early adoption of thin-film composite membranes.

The reverse osmosis (ro) membrane market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $11.06 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising focus on zero-liquid discharge systems, increasing adoption of advanced desalination technologies, integration of real-time monitoring in water treatment plants, growing need for high-efficiency industrial process water, expansion of sustainable water recycling initiatives. Major trends in the forecast period include adoption of sustainable membrane manufacturing, expansion of smart industrial filtration platforms, development of digital water treatment systems, integration of IoT-enabled monitoring solutions, advancement of AI-based predictive water purification models.

The rising industrialization is expected to drive the growth of the reverse osmosis membrane market. Industrialization refers to the transformation of an economy from primarily agricultural to one centered on the manufacturing of goods, supported by the development of industries, infrastructure, and technological advancements. Industrialization is increasing due to the growing need for mass production driven by expanding global populations and urbanization. Reverse osmosis membranes are used in industrial settings to purify process water and treat wastewater, ensuring high-quality water for manufacturing operations and compliance with environmental standards. For example, in December 2024, according to Trading Economics, a U.S.-based platform providing reliable economic data and market forecasts, Saudi Arabia’s industrial production grew by 5% year-on-year in October 2024, following a revised 0.4% increase in September. Therefore, the rise in industrialization is driving the growth of the reverse osmosis membrane market.

Major companies in the reverse osmosis membrane market are developing new ultralow-pressure reverse osmosis (RO) membrane elements to gain a competitive advantage. An ultralow-pressure RO membrane is designed to efficiently purify water at reduced operating pressures, lowering energy consumption while maintaining high rejection of salts and impurities. These membranes are used in industrial, municipal, and ultrapure water applications. For instance, in May 2024, LG Water Solutions, a South Korea-based water treatment technology company, launched the LG MaxRO R ultralow-pressure RO membrane element. This product includes a 36 mil ultra-low differential pressure feed spacer that minimizes pressure drop across the element, enhanced fouling resistance that reduces cleaning frequency and chemical usage, and high salt rejection performance that delivers superior water quality for the water treatment industry.

In January 2025, SUEZ, a France-based provider of water treatment solutions, desalination technologies, and industrial water services, acquired the RO membrane product line of LANXESS for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition aims to expand SUEZ’s industrial water portfolio, strengthen its global production capabilities, and meet growing demand for high-performance brackish-water RO membranes. LANXESS is a Germany-based specialty chemicals company that manufactures materials and chemical solutions, including components used in water treatment applications.

Major companies operating in the reverse osmosis (ro) membrane market are DuPont de Nemours Inc., Toray Industries Inc., Koch Industries Inc., Toyobo Co. Ltd., Suez-Lyonnaise des Eaux, Keensen Technology Co. Ltd., Lanxess AG, The Dow Chemical Company, Vontron Technology Co. Ltd., Pall corporation, Parker Hannifin Corporation, Lenntech Water Treatment Solutions, Hydramem, Alfa Laval AB, GE Water and Process Technologies, Axeon Water Technologies, BNKO Environmental Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Permionics Membranes Private Limited, Samco Technologies Inc., Nitto Denko Corporation, Mann+Hummel Water & Fluid Solutions, Synder Filtration Inc., LG Chem Ltd., Hydranautics, Hyflux Ltd., Membranium, Trisep Corporation, Microdyn-Nadir GmbH, Applied Membranes Inc., Pure Aqua Inc.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs have affected the reverse osmosis membrane market by increasing the cost of imported polymers, filtration modules, and specialty chemicals used across thin-film composite and cellulose-based membrane production. Desalination, utility water treatment, and industrial processing sectors in Asia-Pacific, North America, and the Middle East face higher procurement expenses and project delays. However, tariffs are also accelerating regional manufacturing, encouraging supply chain localization, and fostering innovation in durable, energy-efficient membrane technologies that support long-term water security goals.

The reverse osmosis (RO) membrane market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides reverse osmosis (RO) membrane market statistics, including reverse osmosis (RO) membrane industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with reverse osmosis (RO) membrane market share, detailed reverse osmosis (RO) membrane market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the reverse osmosis (RO) membrane industry. This reverse osmosis (RO) membrane market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The reverse osmosis membrane refers to a semipermeable barrier utilized for solvent transfer from a solution to a purer solvent by applying pressure to the solution side. Its primary function involves separating dissolved solutes from water, and it is notably acclaimed for its effectiveness in purifying drinking water, particularly in eliminating salt and other impurities from water molecules.

The primary types of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes include thin-film composite membranes and cellulose-based membranes. Thin-film composite membranes, serving as semipermeable barriers, find extensive usage in water purification and desalination systems. These membranes are integrated into various filter modules such as spiral wound, hollow fiber, tubular, plate, and frame configurations, catering to desalination, utility water treatment, wastewater treatment, refuse treatment, process water applications, and industrial processing across water and wastewater treatment and industrial processing sectors.North America was the largest region in the reverse osmosis (RO) membrane market share in 2025. The regions covered in the reverse osmosis (ro) membrane market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the reverse osmosis (ro) membrane market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The reverse osmosis (RO) membranes market consists of sales of cellulose acetate or polysulfone membranes. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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