Reverse Osmosis (RO) Membrane Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report
By End-Use (Water & Wastewater treatment, Industrial Processing); By Type; By Filter Module; By Application; By Region; Segment Forecast, 2025 - 2034
- Published Date:Oct-2025
- Pages: 115
- Format: PDF
- Report ID: PM2230
- Base Year: 2024
- Historical Data: 2020 - 2023
The global Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane market was valued at USD 4.34 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% during the forecast period. The primary factor driving the market growth is the increasing contamination of the water bodies globally, raising various concerns pertaining to waterborne diseases.
Key Insights
- The waste & wastewater segment accounted for the largest revenue globally in 2024. This is due to strict environmental regulations.
- The cellulose‑based reverse osmosis membrane segment held the largest share in 2024 This is due to lower cost, and sustainability preferences.
- The industrial processing segment secured a significant market share. This is due to rising need for high‑purity water in pharmaceuticals, power, and food sectors.
- North America led the global reverse osmosis membrane market in 2024. The market is driven by high infrastructure investment, and advanced R&D.
Industry Dynamics
- The market is driven due to increasing water scarcity and urbanization.
- Technological advancements in membrane materials and design are boosting the market.
- Rapid industrial growth, especially in pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, and chemicals, is expanding usage of RO membranes.
- Increasing adoption of desalination and wastewater reuse is fueling the market demand.
Market Statistics
- 2024 Market Size: USD 4.34 Billion
- 2034 Projected Market Size: USD 11.59 Billion
- CAGR (2025–2034): 10.3%
- North America: Largest Market Share
-membrane-market-size-by-region-2020-2034.webp)
To Understand More About this Research: Request a Free Sample Report
The rising industrialization across both developed and developing nations is estimated to raise the volume of industrial waste in water bodies, thus driving the demand. To reduce the threat, governments are investing in water treatment by installing new& upgrading most of the existing water treatment facilities. Over the previous, the state, federal, and local government of the United States has spent over 2 trillion USD on the capital infrastructure, operation, and maintenance of waste & wastewater facilities.
Moreover, the rising number of initiatives by the key Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane market players globally is anticipated to offer lucrative growth opportunities. For instance, in October 2019, Koch announced its partnership with Waste 3R Engineering & Solutions, aiming to promote their advanced industrial waste &wastewater separation technologies for projects across Bangladesh. Moreover, In November 2020, LG Chem delivered a reverse osmosis membrane to the Al Khobar II project in Saudi Arabia. The plant has over 600 million liters per day of production capacity.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane market as reverse osmosis technology is used for waste &wastewater treatment across sectors including industrial, commercial, and residential. On account of the outbreak, all of these sectors have been negatively impacted globally.
Further, the covid-19 spread hindered the growth of the water sector in the lockdown period. The reverse osmosis membrane industry suffered from various supply chain disruptions. Due to reduced activities and shutdowns, there was a shift in demand patterns. However, on the positive side, the covid-19 spread has reinforced the significance of proper access to sanitation and water. In the long term, the outbreak has accelerated various water treatment projects, increased investments by the governments globally, and political prioritization of water.
-membrane-market-size-worth-$11.59-billion-by-2034.webp)
Industry Dynamics
Growth Drivers
The growth of the market can be attributed to rising population, urbanization, and pollution across developing nations globally. Furthermore, the lack of potable water is anticipated to drive the growth of the Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane market globally. The rising water requirement globally is further predicted to drive industry growth. In order to meet the growing water requirements, there is a rising demand for desalination plants, in turn driving the growth of the market.
Nowadays, the growing demand for reverse osmosis membrane for waste &wastewater treatment is expected to provide huge growth opportunities for the global market. The evolving government regulations for mandating the treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater along with the growing water scarcity are anticipated to drive the growth of the reverse osmosis membrane industry across growing economies such as China and India.
Furthermore, international organizations such as WHO (World Health Organization) have set various international guidelines for drinking water in all the countries. Various programs implemented by government authorities globally, such as Waste Management Action Plan, US Clean Water Act, Environmental & Resource Efficiency Plan in Australia, Special Plan for Seawater Utilization in China, among others, are expected to boost the growth of the overall industry during the forecast period.
Report Segmentation
The market is primarily segmented on the basis of type, end-use, filter module, application, and region.
|
By Type |
By End-Use |
By Filter Module |
By Application |
By Region |
|
|
|
|
|
Know more about this report: request for sample pages
Insight by End-use
The waste & wastewater segment accounted for the largest revenue across the globe. The improving regulations globally by government authorities mandating wastewater treatment along with the growing water shortage are anticipated to drive the growth of the segment. Furthermore, the increasing demand for potable water for developed and developing nations globally is anticipated to boost the growth of the segment.
However, the industrial processing segment is accounting for a significant share in the overall Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane market. This can be acknowledged to factors such as rising demand from the industrial sector. Further, this increase in demand from the industrial sector can be attributed to the growing industrialization globally. The growing industrialization is further increasing the volume of industrial waste in the water bodies, thereby; it may drive the growth of the segment.
-membrane-market-by-type-analysis-2020-2034.webp)
Insight by Type
The Cellulose-based reverse osmosis membrane segment is recorded with the largest share in 2024 and is expected to lead the reverse osmosis membrane market in the forecasting years. The growth of the segment can be attributed to the lack of potable water across both developed and developing nations. Further, the growing demand for cleaning waste &wastewater is anticipated to drive the growth of the segment. The thin-film composite reverse osmosis membrane segment is projected to experience the highest growth across the market.
Thin-film membranes are primarily used in desalination and water purification systems. The rising demand for desalination on account of the rising population and rapid industrial growth is anticipated to provide lucrative growth opportunities to the segment. Further, the characteristics of these reverse osmosis membranes, such as high rejection for contaminants, high filtration rate, and good chemical & mechanical stability, among others are anticipated to drive the demand for these thin-film composite reverse osmosis membranes.
Geographic Overview
Geographically, North America is the leading region accounting for the highest share in the global reverse osmosis membrane market in 2024 and is likely to dominate the industry over the upcoming scenario. This is due to the rising demand for reverse osmosis membranes in the region on account of the growing need to provide potable water for the increasing population and to further support electric utility, agricultural, and mining needs, among others. The presence of a major key player in the region is further anticipated to provide huge growth opportunities to the market.
Moreover, Asia Pacific is second in the lead in the global reverse osmosis market. The market in this region is further expected to exhibit higher growth in comparison to other regions. This fast growth can be attributed to the rising population in the region along with the heightened urbanization in developing countries such as China, India, Japan, and Singapore, among others.
-membrane-market-trends-by-region-2020-2034.webp)
Competitive Insight
Some of the major players operating in the global market include Alfa Laval, Axeon, Dupont Water Solutions, Hydramem, Hydranautics, KeenSen, Koch Separation Solutions, Lenntech, LG Chem, Mann+Hummel Water & Fluid Solutions, Membranium, Merck, Pall Water, Parker Hannifin Corporation, Suez Water Technologies & Solutions, Toray Industries, Inc., and Toyobo Co. Ltd.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Membrane Market Report Scope
|
Report Attributes |
Details |
|
Market size value in 2024 |
USD 4.34 billion |
| Market size value in 2025 | USD 4.79 billion |
|
Revenue forecast in 2034 |
USD 11.59 billion |
|
CAGR |
10.3% from 2025 - 2034 |
|
Base year |
2024 |
|
Historical data |
2020 - 2023 |
|
Forecast period |
2025 - 2034 |
|
Quantitative units |
Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2025 to 2034 |
|
Segments covered |
By Type, By End-Use, By Filter Module, By Application, By Region |
|
Regional scope |
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa |
|
Key companies |
Alfa Laval, Axeon, Dupont Water Solutions, Hydramem, Hydranautics, KeenSen, Koch Separation Solutions, Lenntech, LG Chem, Mann+Hummel Water & Fluid Solutions, Membranium, Merck, Pall Water, Parker Hannifin Corporation, Suez Water Technologies & Solutions, Toray Industries, Inc., and Toyobo Co. Ltd. |
FAQ's
• The reverse osmosis (RO) membrane market size was valued at USD 4.34 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 11.59 billion by 2034.
• The reverse osmosis (RO) membrane market is projected to register a CAGR of 10.3% during the forecast period.
• North America dominated the market in 2024.
• A few of the key players in the market are Alfa Laval, Axeon, Dupont Water Solutions, Hydramem, Hydranautics, KeenSen, Koch Separation Solutions, Lenntech, LG Chem, Mann+Hummel Water & Fluid Solutions, Membranium, Merck, Pall Water, Parker Hannifin Corporation, Suez Water Technologies & Solutions, Toray Industries, Inc., and Toyobo Co. Ltd.
• The waste & wastewater segment dominated the market revenue share in 2024.
© 2025 Polaris Market Research and Consulting. All rights reserved
