Top 10 Companies in the Membrane Cleaning Chemicals Industry (2025): Market Leaders Enabling Critical Water Treatment

In Business Insights
December 01, 2025

The Global Membrane Cleaning Chemicals Market was valued at USD 2.56 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 3.72 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.1% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This robust growth trajectory is fueled by escalating water scarcity, stringent environmental regulations for water discharge, and the expanding deployment of membrane technology in industrial and municipal water treatment facilities worldwide.

As industries and municipalities increasingly rely on Reverse Osmosis (RO), Ultrafiltration (UF), and Nanofiltration (NF) systems for pure water, the critical role of effective membrane maintenance becomes paramount. Membrane fouling is a primary operational challenge, directly impacting efficiency, operational costs, and system longevity. In this technical landscape, specialty chemical companies are the essential partners, developing advanced formulations to restore membrane performance and ensure process reliability. This blog profiles the Top 10 Companies in the Membrane Cleaning Chemicals Industry—innovators and solution providers safeguarding the backbone of modern water purification.

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🔟 1. Veolia Water Technologies

Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: Comprehensive membrane cleaning chemicals, antiscalants, biocides, and clean-in-place (CIP) solutions.

Veolia Water Technologies is a global leader in water and wastewater treatment solutions, offering a complete portfolio of chemicals and services for membrane system maintenance. Their expertise spans across diverse industries, including power, food & beverage, and pharmaceuticals, providing customized cleaning protocols to maximize membrane lifespan and performance.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of biodegradable and low-environmental-impact cleaning formulations

  • Digital solutions like Hubgrade for predictive maintenance and optimized chemical dosing

  • Commitment to circular economy principles in water management


9️⃣ 2. SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions

Headquarters: Trevose, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Silex™ membrane cleaners, Genesolv® solvents, and a full range of antiscalants and antifoulants.

SUEZ is a powerhouse in water technology, providing advanced chemical solutions for fouling control in all major membrane processes. Their products are designed to address specific foulants like scaling, organic matter, and biofilms, helping clients reduce energy consumption and water wastage.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on formulations that extend membrane life, reducing waste

  • Advanced monitoring tools to minimize chemical usage through precise control


8️⃣ 3. Ecolab Inc.

Headquarters: St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Nalco Water membrane cleaning chemicals, including cleaners for organic, inorganic, and biological fouling.

Ecolab’s Nalco Water division delivers intelligent water management and membrane cleaning solutions to a vast industrial clientele. Their 3D TRASAR™ Technology for membrane systems provides real-time monitoring and control, enabling data-driven cleaning decisions that enhance efficiency and sustainability.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Goal to help customers conserve 300 billion gallons of water annually by 2030

  • Development of high-efficacy, low-dose chemical products


7️⃣ 4. Kemira Oyj

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: Broad portfolio of antiscalants, coagulants, and specialty cleaners for RO and NF membranes.

Kemira is a leading chemicals company focused on water-intensive industries. Their membrane treatment solutions are critical for preventing scaling and fouling in demanding applications such as seawater desalination and industrial process water treatment, ensuring consistent water quality and operational uptime.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Approximately 80% of R&D projects linked to sustainability outcomes

  • Product development aimed at improving water and energy efficiency for clients

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6️⃣ 5. Solvay S.A.

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: TechniClean® membrane cleaners, Rhodoline® antiscalants, and peroxide-based disinfectants.

Solvay provides high-performance chemical solutions for membrane systems across various sectors. Their TechniClean® range is specially formulated to remove tough deposits while being compatible with a wide array of membrane materials, helping to maintain high flux rates and salt rejection.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Integration of green chemistry principles in product development

  • Commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040


5️⃣ 6. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Sokalan® antiscalants, Basoclean® cleaning agents, and specialty polymers for membrane protection.

BASF’s performance chemicals division offers advanced water solutions that prevent scaling and fouling in membrane filtration units. Their products are widely used in desalination plants and industrial water systems to improve recovery rates and reduce cleaning frequency.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Active in developing solutions for water conservation and reuse

  • Ambitious CO2 emission reduction targets across the value chain


4️⃣ 7. Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: DOWEX™ ion exchange resins, FILMTEC™ membranes, and complementary cleaning chemicals.

As a leading manufacturer of membrane elements, Dow offers a deep understanding of fouling mechanisms and provides tailored cleaning recommendations and chemicals. Their integrated approach ensures that cleaning protocols are optimized for their FILMTEC™ RO membranes, maximizing performance and durability.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of membranes and chemicals that reduce the overall energy footprint of water treatment

  • Commitment to advancing a circular economy for water


3️⃣ 8. Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Kuriverter® inhibitors, Flintrol® scale inhibitors, and specialized membrane cleaning chemicals.

Kurita is a prominent water treatment specialist in Asia, offering innovative chemicals and monitoring systems for membrane-based processes. Their focus on R&D has led to the development of high-performance products that address the unique challenges of fouling in diverse water conditions.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Kurita’s “Customer-centric Eco Engineering” philosophy

  • Initiatives to reduce environmental impact through efficient water treatment technologies


2️⃣ 9. Buckman

Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Bulab® membrane cleaners, microbiocide/algacides, and scale and corrosion inhibitors.

Buckman specializes in providing customized chemical solutions for industrial water treatment. Their membrane cleaning program includes advanced diagnostics to identify foulants, followed by targeted cleaning formulations that restore membrane efficiency without causing damage.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Application expertise focused on reducing water and energy consumption

  • Commitment to responsible chemical management and product stewardship


1️⃣ 10. Nouryon

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Dissolvine® chelating agents, Berkatec® antiscalants, and peroxide-based cleaning solutions.

Nouryon (formerly AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals) is a global specialty chemicals leader. Their Dissolvine® chelants are particularly effective in removing metal-based scales from membranes, while their broad portfolio supports efficient cleaning in pulp & paper, oil & gas, and municipal water treatment applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Developing biodegradable chelating agents

  • Sustainable product portfolio aligned with customer sustainability goals

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Membrane Cleaning Is Smarter and More Sustainable

The membrane cleaning chemicals market is undergoing a significant evolution. While effective foulant removal remains the core objective, the industry is increasingly focused on smarter, sustainable, and integrated solutions that minimize environmental impact and operational costs.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rise of bio-based and biodegradable formulations to replace traditional chemicals

  • Integration of IoT and AI for predictive cleaning, optimizing chemical usage and timing

  • Growing demand for multi-functional chemicals that can tackle composite fouling in a single step

  • Expansion of membrane applications in water reuse and zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) systems, driving need for robust cleaning protocols

Get Full Report Here:
Membrane Cleaning Chemicals Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not just supplying chemicals; they are delivering critical expertise and innovation that ensure the reliability and sustainability of water treatment infrastructure globally, safeguarding a vital resource for industries and communities alike.