The Global Pleated Membrane Filter Market was valued at USD 1.91 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 2.94 Billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.5% during the forecast period (2025–2032). This robust growth is propelled by stringent water quality regulations, expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the critical need for high-purity filtration in the food & beverage and electronics industries.

As industries worldwide prioritize contamination control and process efficiency, advanced pleated membrane filters have become indispensable. These high-surface-area filters offer superior particle retention and chemical compatibility. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Pleated Membrane Filter Industry—a mix of global filtration giants, specialty manufacturers, and innovative regional players shaping the future of purification technologies.

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🔟 1. Merck KGaA (MilliporeSigma)

Headquarters: Darmstadt, Germany
Key Offering: Sterile PES Filters, Durapore PVDF Membranes, Integrated Filtration Systems

Merck, operating through its life science business MilliporeSigma, is a dominant force in the pleated membrane filter market, particularly for biopharmaceutical applications. The company’s Membra-Charm® and Millistak+® lines are industry standards for sterilizing-grade filtration, offering high flow rates and exceptional bacterial retention. Their products are critical in the production of biologics, vaccines, and injectable drugs, serving all major pharmaceutical companies globally.

Innovation Initiatives:

• R&D investment of over €700 million annually in Process Solutions

• Development of single-use, integrated filtration assemblies for bioprocessing

• Commitment to achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2040

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9️⃣ 2. Danaher Corporation (Pall Corporation)

Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA (Pall: Port Washington, New York)
Key Offering: Ultipleat® PES Filters, PTFE Membranes, Pharma and Industrial Cartridges

Pall Corporation, a Danaher operating company, is a pioneer in filtration, separation, and purification. Its Ultipleat® high-flow pleated filter technology revolutionized the industry by maximizing filtration area in compact housings. Pall serves diverse markets from pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to microelectronics and aerospace, with a robust portfolio of validated filters for critical processes.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Proprietary membrane manufacturing processes for consistent pore size distribution

• Leadership in single-use bioprocessing technologies

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8️⃣ 3. Sartorius AG

Headquarters: Göttingen, Germany
Key Offering: Sartopore® PLEAT Filters, Sartobran® Cartridges, Bioprocess Filtration Solutions

Sartorius is a leading international partner to the biopharma industry, offering a comprehensive range of pleated membrane filters under its Sartopore® brand. These filters are renowned for their high throughput and low extractables, making them ideal for critical applications like buffer and media filtration, and final fill sterilization. The company has experienced significant growth, driven by demand from the booming biologics and cell-and-gene therapy sectors.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Sustained R&D focus on filters for next-generation therapeutics

• Expansion of manufacturing capacity in the US and Asia to meet global demand

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7️⃣ 4. 3M Company

Headquarters: Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: 3M™ Liquid Filtration Products, ZetaPlus® Charged Nylon Membranes

3M’s separation and purification sciences division is a key player, leveraging its material science expertise to produce high-performance pleated membrane filters. The company’s ZetaPlus® charged nylon membranes are particularly effective for removing contaminants like endotoxins and viruses. 3M’s strong presence in industrial water treatment and its extensive distribution network give it a competitive edge in price-sensitive markets.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Development of advanced, high-dirt-holding membranes for industrial water

• Focus on sustainable filter designs with reduced environmental impact

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Pleated Membrane Filter Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions

Headquarters: Trevose, Pennsylvania, USA (Parent: Paris, France)
Key Offering: Memcor® XP Membranes, Cephalex Pleated Filters, Water Treatment Systems

SUEZ, building on the legacy of GE Water, is a powerhouse in water and process treatment. The company’s pleated membrane filters are integral to its comprehensive water treatment solutions for power generation, oil & gas, and municipal water systems. SUEZ’s Memcor® brand is globally recognized for its reliability in challenging industrial environments.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Investment in IoT-enabled filters for predictive maintenance

• Development of anti-fouling membrane coatings to extend filter life

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5️⃣ 6. Donaldson Company, Inc.

Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: UltraPleat® filters, PTFE Membranes, Industrial Process Filtration

Donaldson is a globally diversified filtration specialist with a strong position in industrial process filtration. Its UltraPleat® technology offers high flow capacity and long service life, making it a preferred choice for chemical processing, paints, and coatings industries. Donaldson’s vertical integration, from membrane production to finished filter assembly, ensures stringent quality control.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Focus on customization for specific industrial applications

• Expansion of global manufacturing footprint, particularly in Asia-Pacific

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4️⃣ 7. Parker Hannifin Corporation

Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Balston® Filters, PTFE Pleated Elements, High-Purity Gas and Liquid Filters

Parker Hannifin’s Filtration Group is a major supplier of pleated membrane filters for critical applications in sectors like electronics, healthcare, and aerospace. The Balston® brand is synonymous with high-purity gas filtration, essential for semiconductor manufacturing and laboratory environments. Parker’s strength lies in providing complete filtration systems, from housings to membrane elements.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Development of filters for ultra-high-purity (UHP) gas applications

• Strategic acquisitions to broaden its technology portfolio

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3️⃣ 8. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Headquarters: Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Nalgene™ Rapid-Flow™ Filters, PES Membrane Bottle-Top Filters

Thermo Fisher Scientific, a leader in serving science, offers a range of pleated membrane filters primarily for laboratory and life sciences applications. Its Nalgene™ Rapid-Flow™ disposable filter units are widely used in academic, pharmaceutical, and industrial labs for sterilizing solutions and cell culture media. The company’s vast distribution network provides easy access to its products worldwide.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Integration of filtration products with laboratory equipment and consumables

• Focus on sustainability through product redesign and recycling programs

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2️⃣ 9. Cobetter Filtration Equipment Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Shanghai, China
Key Offering: Cost-effective PES/PTFE Filters, Customized Filtration Solutions

Cobetter is a leading Chinese manufacturer that has gained significant market share by offering high-quality, cost-competitive pleated membrane filters. The company serves a broad customer base in Asia-Pacific, particularly in the booming pharmaceutical, electronics, and food & beverage sectors in China and India. Cobetter’s ability to provide customized solutions at competitive prices is a key growth driver.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Rapid scaling of manufacturing capacity to meet regional demand

• Investment in R&D to develop membranes for niche applications

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1️⃣ 10. Porvair Filtration Group

Headquarters: Hampshire, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Specialty Metal Sintered & Polymer Membranes, Critical Process Filters

Porvair specializes in designing and manufacturing bespoke filtration solutions using sintered porous plastics and metals, alongside polymer membranes. The company excels in serving niche, high-value applications in the aerospace, energy, and specialty chemical industries where standard filters are inadequate. Porvair’s engineering-led approach allows it to solve complex filtration challenges.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Expertise in high-temperature and chemically resistant filter materials

• Focus on high-performance applications in emerging sectors like hydrogen fuel cells

Get Full Report Here:
Pleated Membrane Filter Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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

The pleated membrane filter market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional filters continue to serve critical functions, the industry is investing heavily in smart filtration technologies, sustainable materials, and manufacturing processes that reduce environmental impact.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Accelerated adoption of single-use, disposable filters in biopharmaceuticals to minimize cross-contamination risks

• Increasing regulatory stringency for water discharge and product purity, driving demand for high-efficiency filtration

• Integration of IoT sensors for real-time monitoring of filter performance and predictive maintenance

• Development of green membranes with lower carbon footprints and enhanced recyclability

Get Full Report Here:
Pleated Membrane Filter Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only providing essential filtration solutions—they’re driving the innovation and sustainability required for a cleaner, safer industrial future.