Serious Challenge to ‘Big Three’ at 2012 Membrane Technology Conference

Papers and Booths from new MF/UF OEMs indicate grip of Big Three is loosening

It is official; the grip of Pall, Siemens and GE on the municipal microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) market is loosening! Based on the presentations showcasing MF/UF systems at the AWWA/AMTA 2012 Membrane Technology Conference and Exposition in Glendale, Arizona, Feb 27-March 1, it was clear to all attendees that in the past year new OEMs have made significant strides in entering the market. Systems using Toray hollow fiber UF membranes appear to have gained the most traction with Dow UF membranes close behind.

A poster from Wigen Water Technologies [1] showcased 1 and 2 MGD systems in North Dakota using Toray UF modules that started up in early 2011. These systems have been operating well and to-date have not experienced a single membrane fiber breakage. A URS poster [2] titled “It’s not Just the Big Three Anymore…” featured a project for a 7.2 MGD UF system in Ohio where prices from OEMs using Toray and Dow membranes were significantly lower than the Big Three, and pilot performance was as good or better. Following pilot testing, a system using Toray UF membranes was subsequently selected and is in construction.

In addition to the presentations, Kruger used the AMTA/AWWA Conference to launch its new UF system utilizing the Dow UF module while a number of other OEMs had booths showing that they also were entering the market using either the Toray or Dow UF modules.

It will be very interesting to see in the next 24 months which OEMs are most successful in gaining a foothold in the MF/UF market alongside the Big Three. Will this market move towards being commoditized like the NF/RO market where a particular membrane module and skid design will be specified and a number of qualified OEMs can bid to build systems using this module and design? I don’t think we will get to this point in the near future, but I am sure those OEMs using proprietary membranes or with exclusive supply arrangements will be getting a little nervous!

References

Bourke, M.F.; Guibert, S; “Performance of First Large Scale U.S. Ultrafiltration Systems Using Toray Membranes”, 2012 Membrane Technology Conference & Exposition, Glendale AZ, Feb 27 – March 1.

Shoaf, R.T; Cook, J.M.; “It’s Not Just the Big Three Anymore – Pilot Testing and Membrane Selection for the Delaware Ohio Integrated Membrane Facility”, 2012 Membrane Technology Conference & Exposition, Glendale AZ, Feb 27 – March 1.