Microfiltration is frequently utilized as a pre-treatment preceding granular media filtration and post-treatment subsequent to ultrafiltration and other separation procedures. Microfiltration generally employs particulates that vary in dimension from 0.1 to 10 μm. Regarding their approximative molecular weight, these membranes can segregate macromolecules with an average molecular weight of less than 100,000 g/mol. It finds widespread application in various sectors, such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, food and beverage processing, water and effluent treatment, and more.
The increased demand for potable water for residential and industrial purposes and enhanced availability of potable water will further stimulate market growth. Over fifty percent of the world's population resides in urban areas, which account for more than eighty percent of the gross domestic product. In conjunction with the expansion of urbanization and industry, the exponential growth of the economy has generated substantial concern regarding water pollution.
Furthermore, the consequences of population growth in urban areas on water quality are significant. Water consumption on a global scale is comprised of 22 percent of industrial water usage. As a result, the expansion of pollutant-emitting industries is expected to create further opportunities for implementing membrane microfiltration in water treatment. Consequently, the increase in consumer consciousness and urbanization will contribute to the surge in the need for membrane microfiltration over the forecast period.
Environmental concerns and a rigorous regulatory framework will soon significantly impact the membrane microfiltration industry. The anticipated impact of government regulations and policies managing the treatment of industrial and domestic wastewater is projected to increase demand for membrane microfiltration technology in the water filtration industry. The enforcement of these laws and regulations has prompted industry participants to augment their investments in water treatment technologies substantially.
Standards and regulations governing water filters were established by organizations, including NSF International, which was previously known as the National Sanitation Foundation. The standards established by NSF International govern the regulations concerning domestic and industrial water filters and water filtration systems. Following governmental regulations, wastewater treatment before discharge is mandatory for industrial and domestic wastewater. Hence, the factor above generates opportunities for the expansion of the market.
Asia-Pacific is the most significant global membrane microfiltration market shareholder and is expected to expand substantially during the forecast period. The region, which includes developing economies like China and India, is anticipated to experience substantial expansion due to the processes of industrialization and heightened consciousness regarding water reuse and recycling methodologies. Moreover, as water pollution and scarcity worsen in several Asia-Pacific nations, the region's demand for wastewater remediation increases. The heightened need for water treatment has prompted the governments of numerous countries to undertake measures to develop efficient wastewater treatment approaches.
For instance, the Chinese government announced in 2021 that it intended to increase the country's wastewater treatment capability by 20 million cubic meters/day between 2021 and 2025 by building new wastewater treatment facilities. Therefore, the robust growth and increasing need for effluent treatment methods are anticipated to stimulate the membrane microfiltration market in this region.