Top 10 Companies in the Pleated Membrane Filtration Market (2026): Innovators Driving Global Water and Process Purification

In Business Insights
January 21, 2026


The Global Pleated Membrane Filtration Market was valued at USD 1.49 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 2.10 Billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.1% during the forecast period (2025–2032). This expansion is primarily fueled by the intensifying global demand for high-purity water, stringent regulatory requirements in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors, and the critical need for advanced filtration solutions in food and beverage processing.

As industries worldwide prioritize contamination control and resource sustainability, the focus is on the leading manufacturers who are pioneering advanced membrane materials, modular system designs, and innovative applications. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Pleated Membrane Filtration Industry— a diverse mix of multinational giants and specialized technology leaders shaping the future of separation and purification technologies.


🔟 1. Merck Millipore (Merck KGaA)

Headquarters: Darmstadt, Germany
Key Offering: MilliporeExpress® PES Membranes, Millistak+® HC Filters, bioprocess filtration systems

Merck Millipore, a life science leader under Merck KGaA, is a dominant force in high-performance pleated membrane filtration, particularly for biopharmaceutical applications. Their extensive portfolio includes polyethersulfone (PES) and polypropylene (PP) membranes that are critical for sterilizing-grade filtration of biologics, vaccines, and cell culture media. The company’s recent investments in single-use technologies and expanded manufacturing capacity in Singapore solidify its position in the high-growth Asia-Pacific market.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of high-flow, low-binding PES membranes for monoclonal antibody purification

  • Expansion of single-use, integrated filtration assemblies for vaccine manufacturing

  • Commitment to sustainable manufacturing processes and recyclable filter materials

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9️⃣ 2. Pall Corporation (Danaher)

Headquarters: Port Washington, New York, USA
Key Offering: Ultipleat® PTFE & Nylon Filters, Profile® II PES Filters, industrial and life science systems

Pall Corporation, part of Danaher’s Life Sciences platform, is a global leader in filtration, separation, and purification. The company’s Ultipleat® technology is an industry standard, offering high dirt-holding capacity and extended service life across water, pharmaceuticals, and microelectronics. Pall’s strength lies in providing complete solutions, from single filters to complex, validated skid-mounted systems for critical industrial processes.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Advancements in asymmetric PES membranes for superior throughput and reduced fouling

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


8️⃣ 3. Sartorius Group

Headquarters: Göttingen, Germany
Key Offering: Sartopore® PES Pleated Filters, Sartobran® P Capsules, single-use bioprocess assemblies

Sartorius Group specializes in biopharmaceutical processing and laboratory equipment, with a strong focus on single-use technologies. Their pleated membrane filters are integral to upstream and downstream processing, ensuring sterility and clarifying complex biological fluids. The company has seen significant growth driven by the global demand for vaccine and therapeutic production, investing heavily in capacity expansion across Europe and North America.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Leadership in single-use pleated filter capsules for flexibility and contamination control

  • Development of high-capacity filters for high-density cell culture harvest


7️⃣ 4. 3M Company

Headquarters: Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: 3M™ Liquid Filtration Products, ZetaPlus® charged nylon membranes, specialty pleated cartridges

3M leverages its deep material science expertise to offer a broad range of pleated membrane filters for diverse industrial and specialty applications. Their products are known for consistency and reliability in challenging environments, including chemical processing, food and beverage, and electronics. 3M’s recent innovations include membranes with engineered surface charges for enhanced removal of sub-micron particles and contaminants.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Launch of multi-layer, gradient-density pleated membranes for extended service life

  • Focus on sustainable filter designs with reduced plastic usage and recyclability


6️⃣ 5. SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions

Headquarters: Trevose, Pennsylvania, USA (Global Operations)
Key Offering: Memcor® CP & XS Filters, ZeeWeed® Membranes, integrated water treatment systems

SUEZ is a global leader in water and wastewater treatment solutions, with pleated membrane filters playing a key role in their portfolio for municipal and industrial clients. Their membrane technologies are deployed in large-scale applications for drinking water purification, wastewater reuse, and industrial process water. SUEZ focuses on energy-efficient and robust systems designed for continuous operation in demanding conditions.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of low-energy, high-recovery membrane systems for water-stressed regions

  • Digital water solutions for optimizing membrane performance and reducing operational costs

Download FREE Sample Report: Pleated Membrane Filtration Market – View in Detailed Research Report


5️⃣ 6. Thermo Fisher Scientific

Headquarters: Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Nalgene™ Filtration Products, PTFE and PES membrane filters, laboratory-scale purification systems

Thermo Fisher Scientific provides a comprehensive range of pleated membrane filters primarily serving the laboratory, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology markets. Their products are essential for sample preparation, solvent clarification, and sterile filtration in R&D and quality control laboratories worldwide. The company’s extensive distribution network ensures broad accessibility for research and industrial customers.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Expansion of high-purity, extractable-free filters for critical analytical applications

  • Integration of filtration products with lab automation and data management software


4️⃣ 7. Donaldson Company

Headquarters: Bloomington, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Ultrapac® Pleated Filters, PTFE membrane cartridges, industrial process filtration systems

Donaldson Company is a renowned manufacturer of filtration systems, with a strong presence in industrial air and liquid filtration. Their pleated membrane filters are widely used in chemical processing, power generation, and mining for protecting equipment and ensuring product quality. Donaldson’s expertise in durable filter media and robust housing designs makes them a preferred supplier for harsh industrial environments.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of high-temperature resistant PTFE membranes for aggressive chemical service

  • Focus on system-wide solutions that reduce total cost of ownership for industrial clients


3️⃣ 8. Parker Hannifin Corporation

Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Balston® and Process Advanced Filtration Division (PAFD) products, PTFE and nylon pleated filters

Parker Hannifin’s filtration group offers high-performance pleated membrane filters for critical applications in the aerospace, life sciences, and industrial markets. Their products are engineered for reliability in guarding instrumentation, purifying process fluids, and ensuring product sterility. Parker’s global manufacturing footprint allows them to serve diverse regional needs with localized support.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Innovation in compact, high-efficiency filter designs for mobile and space-constrained applications

  • Investment in membrane coatings for improved hydrophilic properties and reduced fouling


2️⃣ 9. Graver Technologies (Knighthawk)

Headquarters: Glasgow, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Spectrum® Pleated Filters, Poly-Fine® PES & PP Cartridges, power industry filtration systems

Graver Technologies, a Knighthawk company, is a specialized manufacturer of filtration and separation products for the power generation, chemical, and refining industries. Their pleated membrane filters are critical for maintaining water purity in boiler feedwater, ion exchange polishers, and ultrapure water systems. Graver is recognized for its technical expertise in solving complex filtration challenges in high-pressure and high-purity applications.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Specialization in filters for nuclear and fossil fuel power plant water chemistry control

  • Development of high-flow, high-temperature pleated designs for challenging process conditions


1️⃣ 10. Porvair Filtration Group

Headquarters: Hampshire, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Vyon® porous plastic cartridges, bespoke pleated filter assemblies, metal and plastic housings

Porvair Filtration Group specializes in designing and manufacturing engineered porous plastic and metal filters for demanding applications in aerospace, medical, and industrial sectors. They excel at creating custom pleated membrane solutions for unique customer requirements, often involving high temperatures, corrosive fluids, or strict validation protocols. Porvair’s focus on niche, high-value applications gives it a strong position in specialized markets.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Expertise in sintering and pleating advanced materials like PTFE and PVDF for unique applications

  • Collaboration with OEMs to develop integrated filtration solutions for new medical and industrial equipment

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


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Pleated Membrane Filtration is Smarter and More Sustainable

The pleated membrane filtration market is undergoing a significant evolution. While traditional polymer membranes continue to dominate, the industry is investing heavily in advanced materials, digital integration, and sustainable design principles.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerated adoption of single-use, pre-assembled pleated filters in biopharmaceuticals to reduce validation time and cross-contamination risks

  • Development of bio-based and more easily recyclable membrane polymers to address end-of-life environmental concerns

  • Integration of IoT and Industry 4.0 technologies for real-time monitoring of filter integrity, pressure differential, and predictive replacement schedules

  • Growing demand in emerging economies for modular, containerized water treatment plants utilizing pleated membrane technology

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

The companies profiled above are not only supplying essential components for purification processes—they are driving the innovation and sustainability required to meet the world’s growing challenges in water security, healthcare, and industrial efficiency.