10. Juni 2026, 17.00-18.00 Uhr

Presentation language: English.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane technology has witnessed significant advancements in energy recovery and materials since its introduction to the market. However, these membranes are traditionally considered consumables, with a single life cycle in a specific process. Consequently, when standard cleaning procedures fail to restore membrane performance, they are typically discarded in landfills or incinerated. With an estimated global annual disposal of over 1.5 million end-of-life RO membranes, it is crucial to transition from this linear use-and-disposal model toward a more sustainable, circular approach.

This work aims to summarize Ecomemb's experience in adapting industrial RO membranes for reuse within the same facilities or at different locations. Ecomemb is a spin-off of the University of Girona and the Catalan Institute for Water Research, founded in 2022 as the first European company dedicated to the sustainable regeneration of spiral-wound reverse osmosis membranes.

The presentation will showcase the lab-to-market journey and the most representative industrial applications of regenerated membranes over the last six years. Ecomemb's regenerated membranes have demonstrated positive impacts on RO system performance by increasing water production, decreasing operating pressure, meeting water quality standards, reducing economic costs (membrane replacement and monthly energy consumption), and reducing environmental impact (277-fold lower CO₂ emissions compared to producing a new membrane).