Gas Separation Membrane Market – Trends Forecast Till 2030

Market Snapshot

Market Overview

The global Gas Separation Membrane market size was estimated at USD 1.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1.92 billion in 2030 at a CAGR of 7% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

The global gas separation membrane market is undergoing significant expansion driven by several key factors. These membranes, thin and selective barriers, play a crucial role in separating gases based on their molecular properties, supporting applications across diverse industries from natural gas processing to pharmaceuticals. The market's growth is propelled by the increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability, with industries adopting gas separation membranes to capture and purify CO2 emissions, thereby supporting the transition to cleaner energy sources. This demand is further bolstered by the expanding use of nitrogen in food packaging, electronics manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals, driving the need for nitrogen gas separation membranes. Technological advancements are pivotal in enhancing membrane performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness, expanding their applications across industries. Compared to conventional methods like cryogenic distillation, adsorption, and absorption, gas separation technology offers significant advantages in terms of cost and energy savings. This efficiency makes it attractive in sectors such as food and beverage processing, chemical processing, water and wastewater treatment, and industrial gas processing. The COVID-19 pandemic initially disrupted the supply chains of industries like oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical devices, affecting the gas separation membrane market negatively. However, with the easing of restrictions and recovery in industrial activities, the market is poised for growth throughout the forecast period.

Recent developments highlight industry advancements: In January 2023, UBE Corporation announced plans to expand production capabilities for polyimide hollow fiber gas separation membranes, aimed at meeting rising demand for CO2 separation. Such expansions underscore the market's response to growing environmental regulations and increasing industrial demand for efficient gas separation technologies. Looking ahead, the market's expansion is anticipated to be driven by the rising demand for membranes in carbon dioxide separation operations and stringent government regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. Challenges such as the plasticization of polymeric membranes in high-temperature applications and the scaling up of new membranes pose hurdles, yet ongoing developments in mixed matrix membranes (MMM) and polymeric technologies promise new opportunities.

Overall, the gas separation membrane market is set to grow robustly, supported by technological innovation, expanding industrial applications, and regulatory imperatives towards sustainability. As industries increasingly prioritize efficiency and environmental compliance, gas separation membranes are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of clean energy and industrial gas processing globally.

Delvens Industry Expert's Standpoint

The global gas separation membrane market is witnessing robust growth driven by several key trends and market dynamics. Nitrogen generation and oxygen enrichment applications are emerging as dominant sectors within the market, crucial for various industrial processes like chemical production, steelmaking, and medical applications such as oxygen concentrators. These applications rely heavily on gas separation membranes, particularly polymeric and ceramic types, each offering distinct advantages in terms of oxygen purity and operating temperatures. In industrial settings, gas separation membranes play a critical role in enhancing safety and efficiency, such as in filling jetliners' fuel tanks with nitrogen to reduce fire hazards. The demand for nitrogen in the Haber process for ammonia production, essential for fertilizer manufacturing, further underscores the market's importance in agricultural sectors. Similarly, oxygen-enriched air is vital in steel production, where large volumes are consumed to enhance process efficiency. The medical sector has also emerged as a significant driver, especially with the increased adoption of oxygen concentrators during the COVID-19 pandemic. This surge in demand has prompted manufacturers like INOX Air Products Ltd to expand production capacities globally, highlighting the market's growth potential in meeting healthcare and industrial gas requirements.

Overall, the gas separation membrane market benefits from its cost-effectiveness, low maintenance requirements, and versatility across multiple industries. With stringent environmental regulations driving the adoption of cleaner technologies and the increasing demand for hydrocarbon separation, carbon dioxide capture, and hydrogen purification, the market is poised for continued expansion. These factors collectively position gas separation membranes as pivotal solutions in advancing industrial processes towards sustainability and efficiency in the global market landscape.

Market Portfolio

Key Findings

• On the basis of Material type, the polysulfone segment is poised to experience rapid growth with the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the forecast period in gas separation applications. Polysulfone, an organic polymer, is favored for its robust thermal and chemical stability, making it resistant to mineral acids, electrolytes, and oxidizing agents. Its strong mechanical properties, including resistance to compaction under high pressures, further enhance its suitability for gas separation membranes. Polysulfone's ability to create thin film structures through casting or fabrication makes it an effective selective barrier, allowing specific gases to permeate based on their molecular size, shape, and solubility characteristics. These attributes, combined with its cost-effectiveness and high rigidity, contribute to its widespread use across various industries for efficient gas separation processes.

• On the basis of Application, the market has been segmented into air dehydration, H2S removal, hydrogen recovery, nitrogen generation & oxygen enrichment, vapor separation, gas separation, and carbon dioxide removal. Among these, the gas separation segment is poised to experience the fastest CAGR during the forecast period in the gas separation membrane market. This technology is increasingly recognized for its effectiveness in addressing various industry challenges, particularly in sectors such as petrochemicals, natural gas processing, and environmental conservation. Its growth is driven by its capability to achieve high-purity separations while consuming less energy compared to traditional gas separation methods. As industries prioritize environmental sustainability and stringent quality standards, gas separation membranes are becoming indispensable for meeting these demands, thus driving their rapid adoption and market expansion.

• The market is also divided into various regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East and Africa. The Asia-Pacific dominate gas separation membrane sector is experiencing robust growth, driven by industrial expansion, environmental sustainability initiatives, and rising demand for clean energy solutions. Gas separation membranes are widely adopted for nitrogen generation, carbon capture, and natural gas processing due to their energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness, supported by government policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Regional Analysis

Asia pacific to Dominate the Market

• The Asia-Pacific region is poised to lead the global market for gas separation membranes, driven by robust industrial growth, increasing focus on environmental sustainability, and rising demand for clean energy solutions. Key applications such as carbon dioxide removal, sanitation, and freshwater production, alongside urbanization and higher living standards, contribute to the region's market dominance. The oil and gas sector in China, in particular, plays a pivotal role, bolstering demand for gas separation membranes amidst expanding refining capacities. Governmental initiatives aimed at greenhouse gas reduction further accelerate adoption, underscoring the region's pivotal role in advancing these technologies.

Competitive Landscape

• Air Products and Chemicals Inc.
• Air Liquide Advanced Separations LLC
• UBE Industries Ltd
• Schlumberger Ltd
• Fujifilm Manufacturing Europe B.V
• Parker-Hannifin Corporation
• Membrane Technology and Research Inc
• DIC Corporation
• Honeywell International (Honeywell UOP)
• Evonik Industries
• Mahler AGS
• Atlas Copco AB
• GENERON LLC
• GRASYS JSC
• GMT Membrantechnik GmbH

Recent Developments

• In September 2023, Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. expanded its operations with the construction of the largest membrane-based carbon capture plant in Gillette, Wyoming. Using its Polaris polymeric membrane technology, the plant aims to capture over 150 tonnes of CO2 daily, marking a significant advancement in carbon capture capabilities. This expansion underscores the company's commitment to enhancing environmental sustainability through innovative membrane solutions.

• In June 2022, FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe B.V. expanded membrane production at its Tilburg, Netherlands manufacturing plant, emphasizing sustainability. The facility now incorporates initiatives to achieve CO2-neutral operations and employs sustainable technologies for wastewater purification. This expansion has bolstered FUJIFILM's membrane production capacity, enabling the company to meet increasing product demand while advancing its environmental goals.

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