Global Gas Separation Membranes Market Size By Material, By Module, By Application, By Geographic Scope And Forecast

Gas Separation Membranes Market Size and Forecast

Gas Separation Membranes Market size was valued at USD 1.14 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1.72 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2031.

Gas separation membranes are semipermeable barriers that selectively allow certain gases through while blocking others based on gas parameters such as size, solubility, and diffusivity.

These membranes are widely employed in a variety of industrial applications, including nitrogen separation from air, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide removal from natural gas, hydrogen recovery in refineries, and volatile organic compound extraction from gas streams.

Furthermore, their efficiency and low environmental effect make them a popular choice for processes such as medical air enrichment and greenhouse gas capture, resulting in energy savings and lower operational costs in the gas processing industries.

Global Gas Separation Membranes Market Dynamics

The key market dynamics that are shaping the gas separation membranes market include:

Key Market Drivers

Increasing Demand for Natural Gas and Biogas Purification: The increased usage of natural gas and biogas as cleaner energy sources is pushing up demand for gas separation membranes. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), worldwide natural gas demand is expected to rise by 29% between 2020 and 2040. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. natural gas output hit a record high of 34.9 trillion cubic feet in 2019, up from 25.1 trillion cubic feet in 2010. The increase in natural gas production and consumption raises the demand for effective gas separation technologies, such as membranes.

Rising Focus on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Technologies: The growing emphasis on decreasing greenhouse gas emissions is accelerating the introduction of CCS technology, which employs gas separation membranes. According to the Global CCS Institute, there were 65 large-scale CCS facilities in operation and construction by 2020, up from 38 in 2011. According to the International Energy Agency, CCS could reduce global carbon dioxide emissions by 19% while lowering the cost of climate change mitigation by 70% by 2050. This increased focus on CCS is projected to greatly boost the gas separation membranes market.

Expansion of the Hydrogen Economy: The growing popularity of hydrogen as a sustainable energy carrier is boosting demand for gas separation membranes used in hydrogen generation and purification. The Hydrogen Council estimates that the worldwide hydrogen market will be worth USD 2.5 Trillion by 2050, accounting for 18% of global energy demand. The European Union aims to install at least 40 GW of renewable hydrogen electrolyzers by 2030. This expansion of the hydrogen economy is likely to spur significant growth in the gas separation membranes market, particularly for hydrogen purification applications.

Key Challenges:

High Initial Investment Costs: The high initial investment costs place a substantial constraint on the gas separation membranes market. Installation of membrane systems involves significant cash, which deters potential users, particularly in smaller businesses or developing regions. This financial barrier inhibits market penetration and adoption, as businesses can opt for traditional separation methods that, while possibly less efficient, need fewer initial costs.

Limited Awareness and Understanding: Lack of knowledge and comprehension of gas separation membrane technology among possible users is another barrier. Many sectors are still unfamiliar with the benefits and applications of these membranes, resulting in underutilization despite their advantages over traditional approaches. This lack of understanding stifles market growth since businesses may continue to use old technologies that do not enhance efficiency or minimize operational expenses.

Key Trends:

Growing Uses in Industry: Gas separation membranes are increasingly in demand across a wide range of industrial industries, including petrochemicals, chemical production, and natural gas processing. These membranes improve process efficiency by selectively filtering and separating gases, which is critical in applications such as nitrogen generation and gas sweetening. This trend reflects a broader shift toward streamlining operational procedures in businesses that rely on effective gas separation technologies.

Growing Emphasis on Green Technology: The market is undergoing a substantial change toward green technology, driven by a global emphasis on sustainability. Gas separation membranes are acknowledged as a more environmentally friendly alternative to classic separation technologies since they typically use less energy and emit fewer greenhouse gases. This development is consistent with corporate sustainability aims, pushing firms to employ membrane technology to meet regulatory standards and improve their environmental performance.

Progress in Membrane Materials: Continuous research and development in membrane materials is leading to improvements in performance and durability. Innovations are centered on developing novel materials with increased permeability and selectivity, which improves the reliability and longevity of gas separation systems. These advances are crucial for improving the usability of gas separation membranes in difficult operating situations, thus boosting market expansion and adoption across varied sectors.

Global Gas Separation Membranes Market Regional Analysis

Here is a more detailed regional analysis of the gas separation membranes market:

Asia Pacific:

According to VMR analyst, the Asia Pacific region is estimated to dominate the gas separation membrane market during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is rapidly industrializing, which increases demand for natural gas and, as a result, gas separation membranes. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), natural gas demand in Asia Pacific is expected to increase by 60% between 2019 and 2040. China is estimated to account for 30% of global natural gas demand growth during this period. According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2021, natural gas consumption in the Asia-Pacific region climbed by 3.2% in 2020, to 869.9 billion cubic meters, despite the global pandemic. The region's increased demand for natural gas drives the need for effective gas separation methods.

Furthermore, the Asia Pacific region has a fast-expanding petrochemical industry, which is a major user of gas separation membranes. The International Energy Agency predicts that the region will account for more than half of the global growth in petrochemical demand between 2018 and 2050. According to the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, China's petrochemical industry output value would reach 11.08 trillion yuan (approximately USD 1.7 Trillion) in 2020, a 3.3% increase over the previous year. The rise of the petrochemical industry is pushing up demand for gas separation membranes, which are utilized in a variety of processes such as gas purification and olefin/paraffin separation.

Europe:

Europe region is estimated to exhibit significant growth within the market during the forecast period. Europe has set strong climate goals, which are promoting the use of technology such as gas separation membranes for carbon capture and storage (CCS). The European Union wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, to become climate neutral by 2050. To fulfill these aims, the European Commission estimates that yearly investments in the energy system will need to be around €350 billion greater in the 2021-2030 decade than in the preceding decade. The push for decarbonization is predicted to significantly boost demand for gas separation membranes in CCS applications throughout Europe.

Furthermore, Europe is at the forefront of developing a hydrogen-based economy, which necessitates the widespread use of gas separation membranes for hydrogen generation and purification. The European Union's hydrogen policy seeks to deploy at least 6 gigawatts (GW) of renewable hydrogen electrolyzers by 2024 and 40 GW by 2030. The European Commission forecasts that cumulative investments in renewable hydrogen in Europe might reach €180-470 billion by 2050. This rapid expansion of the hydrogen sector is a major driver of the regional gas separation membranes market.

North America:

North America is estimated to exhibit substantial growth within the market during the forecast period. North America has seen an increasing emphasis on CCS projects to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, which is driving up demand for gas separation membranes. According to the Global CCS Institute, as of 2021, North America had 38 commercial CCS plants in operation or under development, accounting for more than half of the global total. Since 2010, the US Department of Energy has invested more than USD 1 Billion in research and development of carbon capture and storage technologies. The rising focus on CCS technology is driving the use of gas separation membranes in CO2 collection applications.

Furthermore, North America is experiencing a substantial expansion in hydrogen production and consumption, which is increasing demand for gas separation membranes in hydrogen purification operations. The Hydrogen Program Plan of the United States Department of Energy seeks to expedite technological advancements in hydrogen generation and distribution. The proposal aims to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per kilogram by 2030, representing an 80% decrease from current levels. By 2050, Canada's Hydrogen Strategy aims to provide up to 30% of the country's end-use energy from hydrogen. These aggressive hydrogen adoption ambitions are likely to drive up demand for gas separation membranes in hydrogen production and purification processes across North America.

Global Gas Separation Membranes Market: Segmentation Analysis

The Gas Separation Membranes Market is segmented based on Material, Module, Application, and Geography.

Gas Separation Membranes Market, By Material

Cellulose Acetate

Polysulfone

Polyimide & Polyaramide

Based on Material, the market is segmented into Cellulose Acetate, Polysulfone, and Polyimide & Polyaramide. The polyimide & polyaramide segment is estimated to dominate the gas separation membranes market due to polyimide membranes' exceptional performance qualities, which include high gas separation efficiency, thermal stability, and chemical resistance. These qualities make them ideal for high-temperature applications and procedures like air separation and CO2 removal. As the market seeks more efficient and dependable gas separation options, polyimide membranes are projected to maintain their market leadership.

Gas Separation Membranes Market, By Module

Plate & Frame

Hollow Fiber

Spiral Wound

Others

Based on the Module, the market is segmented into Plate & Frame, Hollow Fiber, Spiral Wound, and Others. The hollow fiber segment is estimated to dominate the gas separation membranes market due to the hollow fiber membranes' high surface area-to-volume ratio, which improves gas separation efficiency and enables compact system designs. Their modest weight and flexibility make them appropriate for a variety of applications, including natural gas processing and carbon dioxide removal. Hollow fiber membranes are gaining market share as companies seek more efficient and space-saving alternatives.

Gas Separation Membranes Market, By Application

Air Dehydration

H2S Removal

Nitrogen Generation & Oxygen Enrichment

Hydrogen Recovery

Vapor Separation

Gas Separation

Water & Wastewater Removal

Carbon Dioxide Removal

Others

Based on the Application, the market is segmented into Air Dehydration, H2S Removal, Nitrogen Generation & Oxygen Enrichment, Hydrogen Recovery, Vapor Separation, Gas Separation, Carbon Dioxide Removal, and Others. The water & wastewater removal segment is estimated to hold the majority share in the forecast period in the gas separation membranes market. This dominance is driven by the growing demand for effective and energy-efficient separation technologies for water quality management and wastewater treatment. The increased emphasis on environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance drives up demand for gas separation membranes in this application, making it a key segment for market growth and innovation.

Gas Separation Membranes Market, By Geography

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Rest of the World

Based on Geography, the Gas Separation Membranes Market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The Asia Pacific region is estimated to hold the largest share of the gas separation membranes market during the forecast period driven by rapid industrialization and rising need for effective gas separation technology. Countries such as China and India are major contributors to this increase, which is powered by their burgeoning petrochemical and natural gas sectors. The region's emphasis on carbon dioxide removal and compliance with environmental standards promotes the use of gas separation membranes, consolidating its market dominance.

Key Players

• The "Gas Separation Membranes Market" study report will provide valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Air Liquide, UBE Corporation, Honeywell UOP, Fujifilm Manufacturing Europe B.V., Schlumberger, DIC Corporation, Parker Hannifin Corporation, and Generon, Inc.

Our market analysis also entails a section solely dedicated to such major players wherein our analysts provide an insight into the financial statements of all the major players, along with product benchmarking and SWOT analysis. The competitive landscape section also includes key development strategies, market share, and market ranking analysis of the above-mentioned players globally.

• Gas Separation Membranes Market Recent Developments
• In September 2023, Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. expanded operations by building the largest membrane-based carbon capture facility in Gillette, Wyoming. The expansion will allow the company to use Polaris polymeric membrane technology to capture approximately 150 tons of CO2 every day.
• In July 2021, Air Liquide constructed Canada's largest helium purification facility, which will service North America Helium's activities in southwest Saskatchewan, Canada. The plant is the largest helium-producing facility in the country.