The global membrane bioreactor (MBR) market exhibited “moderate growth” during 2015-2020, according to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s latest report. Entitled Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026, the report highlighted the MBR market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8% during 2021-2026.
MBR is primarily used for industrial and municipal wastewater treatment. It is an integration of a perm-selective or semi-permeable membrane process, such as microfiltration (MF) or ultrafiltration (UF), with a suspended growth bioreactor. Vacuum or gravity-driven and pressure-driven systems are the most commonly used types of MBR systems. They ensure that the floating matter is retained, and the sediments are separated from the sludge concentration. In comparison to the traditionally used methods, they have controlled biomass retention, improved effluent quality, minimal carbon footprint and are effective against pathogens, such as cryptosporidium and giardia.
The report pointed out the market is primarily being driven by the growing demand for water treatment solutions across the globe. This can be attributed to the declining freshwater resources and steadily increasing demand for chemical-free and safe drinking water from the residential sector. Furthermore, rising environmental concerns regarding efficient sanitation and wastewater disposal are also providing a boost to the market growth. There has been a significant increase in the production of wastewater across the residential, commercial and industrial complexes that is now treated through MBRs.
Additionally, the development of submerged MBRs is acting as another growth-inducing factor. These systems are cost-and energy-efficient, compact, lightweight and can create aeration to generate tangential liquid flow around the membranes. Apart from this, the increasing utilisation of environment-friendly water and wastewater management technologies across industries, including chemical, pharmaceutical, power, food and beverage, and textile, is also contributing to the market growth. Other factors, including rapid industrialisation and the implementation of favourable government policies for upgrading the existing wastewater treatment plants with MBRs, are projected to drive the market further.
