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Market Overview

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The Global Gas Separation Membrane Market is estimated to be valued at USD 1,857 million in 2023, and it is projected to reach USD 2,470 million by 2028, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.87% during the forecast period spanning from 2023 to 2028.

Gas separation membranes play a critical role in the separation and purification of specific gases, such as nitrogen and oxygen, in industrial gas separation processes. These membranes function by segregating gas molecules based on their chemical properties. The market is witnessing a notable growth trajectory due to the increasing demand for natural gas and the adoption of energy-saving processes, which are expected to bolster market concentration in the forthcoming years.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the entire supply chain of industries, including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical devices. Strict lockdown measures in various regions adversely affected the gas separation membrane market. However, with the gradual lifting of restrictions, the market is anticipated to regain momentum and continue to grow during the forecast period.

Several key drivers are propelling the market’s growth, including the escalating demand for membranes in carbon dioxide separation operations and the implementation of stringent government regulations aimed at controlling greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, market growth has been hindered by challenges such as the plasticization of polymeric membranes in high-temperature applications and the scaling up and adoption of new membranes.

Nevertheless, the market is expected to witness promising opportunities through the development of mixed matrix membranes (MMM) and polymeric membranes, as well as the expanding applications of gas separation membranes. These advancements hold the potential to create new avenues in the market.

In terms of regional performance, the Asia-Pacific region emerges as the largest market and is projected to exhibit the fastest growth throughout the forecast period. The increasing demand for gas separation membranes in countries like China, India, and Japan is a significant contributing factor to the region’s robust growth prospects.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including material type, application, and geography.

Segmentation by Material Type
Polyimide and Polyamide
Polysulfone
Cellulose Acetate
Other Material Types

Segmentation by Application
Nitrogen Generation and Oxygen Enrichment
Hydrogen Recovery
Carbon Dioxide Removal
Removal of Hydrogen Sulphide
Other Applications

Segmentation by Geography
North America – United States, Canada, Mexico
Europe – United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific – China, Japan, India, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific
Latin America – Brazil, Argentina, and Rest of Latin America
Middle East and Africa – Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East and Africa

The gas separation membrane market is characterized by partial consolidation, with a few major players dominating a significant portion of the market. This dominance is attributed to the high adoption of polyimide and polyaramide materials in the natural gas industry. These materials offer excellent thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties, as well as extraordinary gas separation capabilities and membrane-forming ability, all of which contribute to driving market growth. The gas separation membranes made of polyimide and polyaramide are widely used for separating one or more gases from gaseous mixtures due to their high penetration rates and selectivity.

In terms of applications, nitrogen generation and oxygen enrichment hold the largest share. They are widely adopted in chemical factories to recover valuable gases and combat air pollution, thereby increasing market concentration. These processes are integral in the chemical industry for isolating required products and recovering reactants. Gas separation membrane modules are custom-built for nitrogen or oxygen-enriched air generator systems, catering to commercial and industrial applications.

There are two main types of membranes used: polymeric, which operates at ambient or warm temperatures and produces oxygen-enriched air, and ceramic membranes, which provide high-purity oxygen but require higher temperatures to operate. The applications of gas separation membranes are diverse, ranging from providing nitrogen-rich gases for jetliner fuel tanks to producing ammonia in the Haber process and supporting steel production.

Global crude steel production experienced a temporary decrease in 2022 but is expected to register positive growth in 2023, leading to increased demand for gas separation membranes in the industry. The medical sector has also witnessed a surge in demand for oxygen concentrators, resulting in manufacturers expanding their production capacities to meet the rising need.

In the Asia Pacific region, growing industrial development and increasing natural gas demand in countries such as China, Japan, India, and South Korea offer new opportunities for the gas separation membrane market. The region is expected to be the largest and fastest-growing market, driven by factors like rising demand for carbon dioxide removal, sanitation, freshwater, urbanization, and higher living standards. The oil and gas industry in China is a crucial application sector for gas separation membranes, with China’s increasing refining capacity leading to a higher demand for these membranes.

India’s power industry is also growing due to a rising population, electrification, and increasing per capita usage, which is expected to drive the demand for gas separation membranes. Additionally, the use of these membranes to control CO2 emissions from industrial effluents, coupled with government regulations on emission control, will further boost the market demand in the region. The growth of natural gas production in the Asia Pacific region will also fuel the demand for gas separation membranes in acid gas separation applications.

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Competitive Landscape

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The gas separation membrane market exhibits a partially consolidated structure, wherein a small number of major players hold a substantial share of the market. Among the significant companies operating in this sector are Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., UBE Corporation, Air Liquide Advanced Separations, DIC Corporation, Fujifilm Corporation, and several others.

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Recent Industry Developments

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UBE Corporation has made a significant announcement regarding the expansion of its polyimide hollow fiber production facilities for gas separation membranes at its Ube Chemical Factory. Additionally, the company will be expanding its gas separation membrane module production facilities at its Sakai Factory. The primary objective of these expansions is to address the rapidly increasing demand, specifically for CO2 separation membranes. Both facilities are expected to become operational in the first half of fiscal year 2025, resulting in a remarkable 1.8 times increase in production capacity.

Toray Industries, Inc. has successfully developed a cutting-edge polymeric separation membrane module capable of selectively and efficiently permeating hydrogen from mixed gases containing hydrogen. This breakthrough module has demonstrated the ability to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in hydrogen purification processes by more than 50% compared to conventional methods. Moreover, it significantly reduces the number of modules required for the purification process, showcasing its potential to revolutionize hydrogen separation and contribute to more environmentally sustainable practices.

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Key Questions Answered

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What is the study period of this market?
The study period of the Gas Separation Membrane Market is from 2018 to 2028.

What is the growth rate of the Gas Separation Membrane Market?
The Gas Separation Membrane Market is experiencing a growth rate of 5.87% over the next 5 years.

What is the size of the Gas Separation Membrane Market?
The Gas Separation Membrane Market is expected to reach USD 1,857 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.87% to reach USD 2,470 million by 2028.

Which region has the highest growth rate in the Gas Separation Membrane Market?
The Asia Pacific region is experiencing the highest CAGR over the period 2018 to 2028 in the Gas Separation Membrane Market.

Which region has the largest share in the Gas Separation Membrane Market?
As of 2022, the Asia Pacific region holds the highest share in the Gas Separation Membrane Market.

Who are the key players in the Gas Separation Membrane Market?
The major companies operating in the Gas Separation Membrane Market include UBE Corporation, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Air Liquide Advanced Separations, DIC Corporation, and Fujifilm Corporation.