Nanofiltration Membrane Market- Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Polymeric, Inorganic, Hybrid), By Membrane Type (Tubular Membrane, Flat Sheet Membrane, Spiral-Wound Membrane, Hollow-Fiber Membrane), By Application (Water & Wastewater Treatment, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical & Biomedical, Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Others), By Region and competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 1.35 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.32%
Fastest Growing Segment	Spiral-Wound Membrane
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 1.74 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Nanofiltration Membrane Market will grow from USD 1.35 Billion in 2025 to USD 1.74 Billion by 2031 at a 4.32% CAGR. Nanofiltration is a membrane separation process driven by pressure that functions between ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis to reject divalent ions and organic compounds while permitting the passage of monovalent ions. The global market for this technology is primarily propelled by the escalating urgency of water scarcity and the subsequent implementation of stringent government regulations mandating efficient wastewater treatment. Furthermore, expanding applications for water softening and the removal of micropollutants in the dairy and pharmaceutical industries continue to bolster global demand.

Despite these favorable growth conditions, the market faces a significant impediment regarding membrane fouling which increases operational costs and reduces filtration efficiency. This technical limitation requires frequent cleaning and pretreatment that complicates adoption in regions with limited financial resources. Underscoring the scale of the sector, according to the International Desalination and Reuse Association, in 2024, the global contracted water reuse capacity exceeded 259 million cubic meters per day. Consequently, while the demand for advanced treatment remains high, maintaining membrane performance remains a critical barrier to widespread implementation.

Key Market Drivers

Escalating global water scarcity and the consequent demand for desalination and wastewater reuse serve as the primary engines for the nanofiltration membrane market. As freshwater sources dwindle, industries and municipalities are increasingly adopting nanofiltration for its ability to selectively remove divalent ions and micropollutants while operating at lower pressures than reverse osmosis. This technology is becoming indispensable for tertiary wastewater treatment and potable water augmentation, particularly in water-stressed regions where sustainable resource management is critical. Underscoring the severity of this driver, according to UNESCO, March 2025, in the 'United Nations World Water Development Report 2025', approximately 4 billion people currently experience severe water scarcity for at least one month per year, significantly amplifying the global urgency for advanced water reclamation technologies.

The rapid expansion of the food and beverage processing sector, particularly within dairy applications, further accelerates market growth. Nanofiltration is extensively utilized for the concentration of whey protein, lactose removal, and the recovery of process water, allowing manufacturers to enhance product value while meeting sustainability goals. This trend is evidenced by significant capital allocations toward modernizing production capabilities to capture high-value ingredients. For instance, according to Dairy Business Middle East & Africa, November 2025, Arla Foods announced a strategic investment of nearly US$46.4 million to retrofit its facility in Denmark to produce high-quality ingredients using advanced filtration methods. Reflecting the broader industrial momentum, according to Veolia, in 2025, the company registered €2 billion in water technologies bookings during the first half of the year, driven largely by the demand for sustainable technological solutions.

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Key Market Challenges

Membrane fouling represents a formidable obstacle hampering the expansion of the Global Nanofiltration Membrane Market. This phenomenon occurs when suspended solids, organic matter, or biological organisms accumulate on the membrane surface, leading to a substantial decline in permeate flux and a simultaneous increase in the trans-membrane pressure required to maintain filtration rates. Consequently, water treatment facilities face frequent operational downtime for aggressive chemical cleaning, which not only accelerates the degradation of the membrane material but also shortens its overall lifespan. This creates a cycle of inefficiency that complicates the adoption of the technology in regions where technical expertise and financial buffers for maintenance are limited.

The economic implications of maintaining membrane efficiency are significant and directly impact market scalability. According to the International Desalination and Reuse Association, in 2023, global desalination operational expenditures reached approximately 10.7 billion USD. A considerable portion of such recurring operational costs in membrane-based sectors is attributed to the energy consumption and maintenance protocols necessary to counteract performance losses like those caused by fouling. These elevated operational liabilities render nanofiltration projects less financially viable for cost-sensitive end-users, thereby restricting the technology's widespread commercial penetration.

Key Market Trends

The utilization of nanofiltration in lithium brine extraction and refining is reshaping the market as producers shift toward direct extraction technologies to bypass time-consuming evaporation ponds. Nanofiltration membranes are increasingly deployed to efficiently separate magnesium from lithium in salt-lake brines, a critical process step that enhances the purity required for battery-grade materials while significantly reducing production timelines. This technological integration is directly supported by the rapid expansion of the electric vehicle sector, which necessitates faster and more scalable mineral supply chains. Illustrating the scale of this resource pressure, according to the International Energy Agency, May 2024, in the 'Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2024', global lithium demand increased by 30% in 2023, underscoring the critical need for advanced separation technologies that maximize yield from existing brine sources.

Simultaneously, the emergence of hollow fiber module configurations is gaining commercial momentum as a superior alternative to traditional spiral-wound designs for high-solids feed streams. These modules utilize a unique structure that permits physical backwashing, a mechanism that effectively dislodges accumulated foulants and reduces the reliance on aggressive chemical cleaning cycles. This innovation extends membrane lifespan and lowers operating expenditures, making it highly attractive for complex industrial wastewater recycling projects. Evidencing this shift in module preference, according to NX Filtration, August 2024, in the 'Semi-annual Report 2024', the company recorded a 57% increase in total revenues for the first half of the year, driven largely by the successful conversion of pilot trials into full-scale hollow fiber membrane installations.

Segmental Insights

The Spiral-Wound Membrane segment constitutes the fastest-growing category in the Global Nanofiltration Membrane Market, driven by its operational efficiency and economic benefits. This configuration offers an exceptionally high packing density, allowing for a large membrane surface area within a compact footprint, which significantly lowers installation and maintenance costs for industrial facilities. The segment's expansion is further supported by stringent water quality mandates from authorities like the United States Environmental Protection Agency, compelling municipalities and industries to adopt reliable filtration technologies. These factors collectively establish the spiral-wound design as the preferred choice for large-scale water purification and separation processes.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific stands as the dominant region in the Global Nanofiltration Membrane Market, driven by rapid industrialization and intensifying water scarcity. The region experiences high demand from the pharmaceutical, chemical, and textile sectors, which rely on nanofiltration for wastewater recovery and process efficiency. This leadership is further strengthened by stringent environmental mandates; for instance, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment enforces rigorous pollution control standards that necessitate effective water treatment solutions. Additionally, extensive government initiatives aimed at providing safe drinking water across developing economies continue to accelerate the adoption of these filtration technologies.

Recent Developments

• In July 2025, NX Filtration received a repeat order to double the capacity of the world's largest hollow fiber nanofiltration plant in Mexico. The project, developed in collaboration with local partners, involved the supply of additional membrane modules to the Sapal drinking water facility. This expansion enabled the plant to treat significantly higher volumes of wastewater for indirect potable reuse, utilizing nanofiltration technology to remove micropollutants and color while retaining essential minerals. The contract signified the growing adoption of hollow fiber nanofiltration for large-scale municipal water recycling projects and validated the technology's effectiveness in providing sustainable water supplies.
• In September 2024, DuPont announced that its FilmTec Nanofiltration membrane portfolio was recognized as the 2024 Sustainable Technology of the Year at the Global Sustainability & ESG Awards. The award highlighted the technology's ability to facilitate low-energy water purification and resource recovery, such as lithium extraction and wastewater reuse. The recognition underscored the role of nanofiltration membranes in addressing global water scarcity and sustainability goals by enabling the separation of valuable solutes from liquid streams. This achievement reflected the company's continuous innovation in developing durable and efficient membrane solutions that support circular economy initiatives.
• In July 2024, ZwitterCo secured $58.4 million in Series B funding to accelerate the deployment of its zwitterionic membrane technology. The investment, led by a consortium of sustainability-focused investors, supported the scaling of the company's nanofiltration solutions, which were designed to treat highly impaired industrial wastewaters by resisting organic fouling. This funding aimed to expand the application of these membranes in sectors such as agriculture and food processing, enabling the reuse of water from unconventional sources. The company planned to use the capital to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and commercial reach, positioning its technology as a key solution for water scarcity challenges.
• In July 2024, Kovalus Separation Solutions announced a $20 million investment to construct a new manufacturing facility in Mexico. The plant was dedicated to the assembly of spiral membrane elements, which are utilized across various filtration processes, including nanofiltration, for the food, beverage, and industrial markets. This expansion was projected to increase the company's production capacity by 50 percent, addressing the growing global demand for membrane-based separation technologies. The facility was expected to become operational by the end of 2024, complementing the company's existing operations in the United States and strengthening its ability to serve international customers.

Key Market Players

• DuPont Water Solutions
• PALL Corporation
• Toray Industries Inc.
• Veolia Environmental S.A.
• Alfa Laval AB
• NX Filtration
• Vontron Technology Co, Ltd.
• GEA Group AG

By Type	By Membrane Type	By Application	By Region
Polymeric Inorganic Hybrid	Tubular Membrane Flat Sheet Membrane Spiral-Wound Membrane Hollow-Fiber Membrane	Water & Wastewater Treatment Food & Beverage Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Chemicals & Petrochemicals Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Nanofiltration Membrane Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Nanofiltration Membrane Market, By Type:

• Polymeric
• Inorganic
• Hybrid

• Nanofiltration Membrane Market, By Membrane Type:

• Tubular Membrane
• Flat Sheet Membrane
• Spiral-Wound Membrane
• Hollow-Fiber Membrane

• Nanofiltration Membrane Market, By Application:

• Water & Wastewater Treatment
• Food & Beverage
• Pharmaceutical & Biomedical
• Chemicals & Petrochemicals
• Others

• Nanofiltration Membrane Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE