United States Membrane Bioreactor Market Segmented By Membrane Type (Hollow Fiber, Flat Sheet, Multi Tubular), By Configuration (Submerged MBR, External MBR), By Application (Municipal, Commercial, Industrial), By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 934.23 Million
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.92%
Fastest Growing Segment	Flat Sheet
Largest Market	West
Market Size (2031)	USD 1559.91 Million

Market Overview

The United States Membrane Bioreactor Market will grow from USD 934.23 Million in 2025 to USD 1559.91 Million by 2031 at a 8.92% CAGR. Membrane Bioreactors are wastewater treatment systems that integrate permeable membranes with a biological process, specifically a suspended growth bioreactor. The United States market is primarily driven by stringent environmental regulations regarding effluent discharge quality and the increasing necessity for water reuse in arid regions. Furthermore, the compact physical footprint of these systems facilitates their adoption in urban areas where land availability for infrastructure expansion is severely restricted.

Despite the operational benefits, high energy consumption and capital costs remain significant impediments to broader market expansion. The susceptibility of membranes to fouling necessitates frequent cleaning and replacement which elevates operational expenditures and places financial strain on facility operators. According to the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, in 2024, the average cost of wastewater services rose 3.7 percent. This economic data underscores the financial pressure utilities face when balancing the implementation of efficient treatment technologies with the capital limitations of their infrastructure budgets.

Key Market Drivers

The Implementation of Stringent Environmental Discharge Regulations acts as a primary catalyst for the United States Membrane Bioreactor Market, compelling utilities to upgrade from conventional treatment methods to advanced membrane technologies. As federal and state authorities enforce tighter limits on nutrient removal and emerging contaminants like PFAS, municipal and industrial facilities are increasingly adopting membrane bioreactors (MBRs) for their superior effluent quality and operational reliability. This regulatory pressure is financially supported by significant federal investment aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure to meet these new compliance standards. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, November 2025, in the 'Fiscal Year 2025 Allotments' announcement, the agency allocated $8.9 billion in new funding for state water and wastewater revolving funds, providing the necessary capital for municipalities to integrate sophisticated treatment systems capable of meeting rigorous environmental mandates.

Simultaneously, the Escalating Demand for Water Reclamation and Reuse drives market expansion, particularly in the arid western and southern regions where freshwater scarcity is acute. MBR technology is critical in these applications because it produces high-quality filtrate suitable for non-potable and indirect potable reuse, effectively turning wastewater into a renewable resource. The federal government has prioritized this shift towards circular water management through targeted grants and large-scale project support. According to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, July 2025, in the 'Reclamation invests almost $200M in water reuse in the Colorado River Basin' press release, the agency awarded approximately $200 million specifically for large-scale water recycling projects in Arizona and Utah to bolster drought resilience. This surge in infrastructure activity is reflected in the financial performance of major industry players; according to Xylem Inc., in 2025, the company reported third-quarter revenue of $2.27 billion, reflecting a 7.8 percent increase driven by robust demand for water infrastructure solutions.

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Key Market Challenges

The high capital investment and elevated operational costs associated with membrane bioreactors constitute a primary restraint on the United States Membrane Bioreactor Market. While these systems offer superior effluent quality, they require significantly higher energy inputs for aeration and membrane scouring compared to conventional treatment methods. This energy intensity results in substantial ongoing utility expenses that strain municipal budgets. Additionally, the inherent susceptibility of membranes to fouling necessitates frequent chemical cleaning and periodic module replacement. These maintenance requirements not only disrupt operations but also further inflate the total cost of ownership, causing hesitation among facility operators who must adhere to strict long-term financial planning.

This economic burden directly hampers market growth as utilities often prioritize immediate financial stability over the adoption of advanced technologies. When faced with funding deficits, decision-makers are compelled to defer capital-intensive projects or opt for less expensive legacy systems. This fiscal constraint is evident in recent industry assessments regarding utility financial health. According to the American Water Works Association, in 2025, 30 percent of utility executives reported struggling to meet service costs through existing rates and charges. This statistic highlights the precarious economic environment in which water entities operate, forcing them to limit spending on high-cost infrastructure like membrane bioreactors.

Key Market Trends

The Integration of Artificial Intelligence and IIoT for Smart MBR Operations is transforming facility management by enabling real-time process optimization and predictive maintenance. Utilities across the United States are deploying digital twins and machine learning algorithms to continuously analyze operational data, allowing for the precise automated adjustment of aeration rates and chemical dosing. This technological evolution directly addresses the industry's struggle with high energy consumption by identifying performance deviations and fouling precursors before they escalate into costly failures. According to Idrica, March 2025, in the 'Water Technology Trends 2025' report, the uptake of artificial intelligence solutions in treatment plants is expected to rise to between 25 and 30 percent in 2025 as operators aggressively seek to maximize operational efficiency.

Simultaneously, the Increasing Implementation of Ceramic Membranes for Industrial Wastewater is gaining momentum due to their superior mechanical durability and chemical resistance compared to traditional polymeric options. Industries with harsh effluent characteristics, particularly in the semiconductor and petrochemical sectors, are adopting these robust materials to withstand extreme temperatures and aggressive cleaning regimes without degradation. This shift supports long-term asset reliability and significantly reduces the frequency of module replacements, thereby lowering the total cost of ownership for industrial facilities. According to Nanostone Water, January 2025, in the 'Nanostone Water Reports 70% Growth, Announces 2025 Product Launches Amid Rising Global Water Challenges' press release, the company reported a 70 percent year-over-year revenue increase in 2024, driven by the surging demand for its advanced ceramic filtration technologies.

Segmental Insights

The Flat Sheet segment currently represents the fastest-growing category within the United States Membrane Bioreactor Market due to distinct operational benefits. These membranes offer significant resistance to debris accumulation and allow for simplified cleaning processes compared to alternative configurations. This ease of maintenance helps facilities reduce downtime while adhering to strict effluent standards enforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Consequently, the increasing need for reliable filtration systems that support continuous compliance and lower operational complexity is driving the rapid expansion of flat sheet technology usage.

Regional Insights

The West United States stands as the dominant region in the United States Membrane Bioreactor Market, primarily due to severe water scarcity and rigorous environmental mandates. States such as California enforce strict water reuse standards, including Title 22 regulations, which necessitate advanced treatment technologies to ensure effluent quality meets safety levels for reclamation. Consequently, municipalities and industries in this region actively invest in membrane bioreactor systems to secure sustainable water supplies and comply with stringent discharge limits. This critical focus on water conservation and reclamation solidifies the West's leadership position in the market.

Recent Developments

• In December 2025, DuPont Water Solutions announced that the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility in Sarasota, Florida, had successfully completed a significant expansion using its MemPulse membrane bioreactor modules. The installation of over 3,600 modules enabled the plant to increase its wastewater treatment capacity by 50%, reaching 18 million gallons per day. This development established the facility as the largest membrane bioreactor plant in Florida, utilizing the technology to meet advanced wastewater treatment standards and reduce nutrient discharges into the local watershed.
• In May 2025, Veolia signed an agreement to acquire the remaining 30% stake in its subsidiary, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions, from Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. This strategic move allowed the company to achieve full ownership of the business, which is a key player in the United States membrane bioreactor market through its ZeeWeed hollow-fiber membrane portfolio. The transaction was designed to simplify the company's corporate structure and accelerate value creation by enhancing its ability to deliver advanced water treatment solutions to municipal and industrial clients across North America.
• In September 2024, Kubota Membrane USA Corp. announced the completion of a major expansion at the Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility in Roswell, Georgia. The project, which was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, integrated the company's flat-plate membrane bioreactor technology to increase the plant's treatment capacity from 24 million to 32 million gallons per day. This upgrade positioned the facility as the second-largest flat-plate membrane treatment plant in the United States. The advanced system allows the municipality to meet growing wastewater treatment demands while ensuring high-quality effluent is returned to the Chattahoochee River.
• In July 2024, ZwitterCo secured $58.4 million in a Series B funding round led by Evok Innovations to accelerate the deployment of its zwitterionic membrane technology. The Massachusetts-based company plans to use the investment to scale its operations and expand the application of its breakthrough superfiltration membranes, which are immune to organic fouling. This capital injection supports the United States membrane bioreactor market by enabling industries to treat and reuse highly impaired wastewater streams that were previously challenging for conventional membrane systems to handle.

Key Market Players

• SUEZWaterTechnologies&Solutions
• EvoquaWaterTechnologiesLLC
• KubotaCorporation
• XylemInc.
• VeoliaWaterTechnologies
• MitsubishiChemicalCorporation
• TORAYINDUSTRIESINC.
• KochMembraneSystemsInc.
• HuberTechnologyInc.
• Aqua‑AerobicSystemsInc.

By Membrane Type	By Configuration	By Application	By Region
Hollow Fiber Flat Sheet Multi Tubular	Submerged MBR External MBR	Municipal Commercial Industrial	Northeast Midwest South West

Report Scope:

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

• United States Membrane Bioreactor Market, By Membrane Type:

• Hollow Fiber
• Flat Sheet
• Multi Tubular

• United States Membrane Bioreactor Market, By Configuration:

• Submerged MBR
• External MBR

• United States Membrane Bioreactor Market, By Application:

• Municipal
• Commercial
• Industrial

• United States Membrane Bioreactor Market, By Region:

• Northeast
• Midwest
• South
• West