Roetgen-based Membion, a German wastewater recycling company, has secured a noteworthy investment of approximately €5 million. Leading the investment round were TechVision Fonds (TVF) and DeepTech & Climate Fonds (DTCF). Membion specializes in the development and production of membrane bioreactor (MBR) modules for wastewater treatment.
By utilizing their multi-patented technology, Membion enables municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plant operators to meet the ever-increasing demands on water quality while significantly reducing operating costs. The company aims to use the newly acquired capital to achieve a broad market entry, establish additional production lines, and develop new product features.
The innovative MBR modules developed by Membion offer various advantages over conventional plants. Dr. Klaus Vossenkaul, CEO of Membion, explained, Our customers want and need to achieve higher water quality, but often don’t have enough space to expand their wastewater treatment plant. If they convert these to our Membion MBR modules, the bacterial load of the wastewater can be reduced by a factor of 1,000 compared to a conventional plant. Compared to conventional MBR plate modules, 75 percent less space is required.
Moreover, Membion’s MBR modules feature a revolutionary aeration method, resulting in a drastic reduction of energy required for filter flushing. Dr. Vossenkaul added, Our MBR modules are aerated in a revolutionary way, reducing the energy required to flush the filters by more than 90 percent compared to MBR plate modules.
The experienced founding team behind Membion, consisting of Dr. Klaus Vossenkaul and Dirk Volmering, has dedicated many years to research and development, resulting in the creation of unique hollow fiber MBR modules. These modules enable notable energy savings and significantly reduced space requirements compared to competing systems. Furthermore, there is no need for secondary clarification, making Membion’s solution even more efficient.
As demands on water quality continue to rise, the introduction of a fourth purification stage will soon be necessary in wastewater treatment plants to filter microplastics, antibiotic-resistant germs, pathogens, and trace substances such as drug residues from the water. Retrofitting existing plants to meet these requirements will require additional space and capacity, especially considering the growth of urban areas.
Membion’s scalable and highly automated production unit allows the company to efficiently meet the needs of municipal wastewater treatment plant operators and industrial water treatment plant operators. The investment received from TVF and DTCF will enable Membion to solidify its position as the future technology leader in the rapidly expanding international market of wastewater treatment.
The market for MBR is projected to grow to almost seven billion US dollars by 2030, according to studies. Thus, Membion’s innovative solutions and commitment to aligning wastewater treatment with the needs of future generations while optimizing costs make it a significant player in this industry.
With its latest funding, Membion can now accelerate its market entry, expand production capabilities, and continue to develop new features, further establishing itself as a pioneer in revolutionizing wastewater treatment. As the company shatters barriers, it contributes to cleaner and more sustainable water resources, benefiting both humans and the environment alike.
