News | June 26, 2025

Cooperate With Liaoning Environmental Research Institute

Shenyang StarMembrane Explores Next-Gen silicon carbideApplications with Liaoning Environmental Research Institute

Shenyang StarMembrane Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the StarLight Group specializing in silicon carbide membrane solutions, has initiated strategic discussions with the Liaoning Provincial Environmental Research Institute to expand the application frontiers of its cutting-edge silicon carbide membrane products. The collaboration aims to unlock new environmental technologies for industrial wastewater treatment, gas purification, and sustainable resource recovery.

Pioneering Silicon Carbide Membrane Technology
As a spin-off leveraging StarLight Group's 30-year expertise in advanced ceramics, StarMembrane has established itself as a leader in high-performance silicon carbide membranes since its 2022 inception . The company's patented membrane systems, featuring 45% open porosity and micron-scale precision (±0.01 mm), excel in extreme conditions—operating seamlessly in pH 0-14 environments and temperatures up to 800°C .

During the technical showcase, StarMembrane highlighted three core competencies:

  • Oil-Water Separation: Achieves 99.8% purification efficiency in petrochemical wastewater, outperforming polymer membranes in durability and flux stability .
  • High-Temperature Gas Filtration: Demonstrated success in steel industry flue gas treatment, capturing PM2.5 particles with 99.5% efficiency while withstanding 650°C thermal shocks .
  • Acid/Base Resistance: Verified in semiconductor wastewater treatment, maintaining >90% permeability after 5,000 hours in 10% HCl solutions .

Collaborative Innovation Agenda
The discussions with Liaoning Environmental Research Institute focused on four emerging application verticals:

  • Hydrogen Purification: Developing molecular-sieving silicon carbide membranes for green hydrogen production, targeting 95% H2 purity from biomass gasification .
  • CO2 Capture: Prototyping carbonized silicon carbide membranes with TiO2/Pt catalysts to integrate CO2 absorption and catalytic conversion in coal-fired plants.
  • Rare Metal Recovery: Testing gradient-pore silicon carbide systems for extracting lithium and cobalt from battery recycling wastewater, aiming for 85% metal recovery rates.
  • Smart Water Networks: Integrating IoT sensors into membrane modules for real-time monitoring of heavy metals (As, Pb) in municipal water systems.

“Our silicon carbide technology is rewriting the rules of environmental engineering,” stated Dr. Li Bin, StarMembrane's Deputy General Manager. “By combining our material science expertise with the Institute's environmental data analytics, we're positioned to develop solutions for China's most pressing ecological challenges.”

Industrial Validation & Market Traction
StarMembrane's achievements include:

  • Certification Milestones: Obtained 3 critical permits including the Liaoning Drinking Water Safety Certification .
  • Strategic Deployments: Installed 50+ systems in Northeast China's electronics and food processing sectors, reducing clients’ wastewater treatment costs by 35-40%.
  • R&D Pipeline: 12 pending patents covering pore structure optimization and catalytic membrane designs.

The Liaoning delegation particularly noted StarMembrane's breakthrough in textile industry applications—a pilot project in Shenyang's dyeing sector achieved 98% dye recovery using pH-responsive silicon carbide membranes.

Toward a Circular Economy
Both parties outlined a 2026-2030 roadmap emphasizing:

  1. Zero-Liquid Discharge Systems: Developing silicon carbide-based crystallization membranes for salt recovery in coal chemical wastewater.
  2. Carbon-Neutral Production: Implementing solar thermal energy in membrane manufacturing, targeting 30% reduction in carbon intensity.
  3. Cross-Industry Synergy: Establishing a regional innovation alliance with semiconductor and new energy enterprises.

Prof. Wang Zhen from the Liaoning Institute remarked: “StarMembrane's technology perfectly aligns with our ‘Green Northeast 2030’ initiative. Their membranes aren't just filters—they're becoming intelligent platforms for pollution prevention and resource regeneration.”

Global Sustainability Vision
With plans to showcase these advancements at COP30, StarMembrane aims to position silicon carbide membranes as a cornerstone technology for achieving SDG 6 (Clean Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The company anticipates launching 5 new product lines by Q2 2026, targeting a 20% share in China's $1.2B advanced membrane market.

“This collaboration transcends commercial goals—it's about redefining environmental stewardship through materials innovation,” concluded StarMembrane CEO Dong Shuoqiu. “Every square meter of our silicon carbide membrane represents a step toward a cleaner industrial future.”

Source: Shenyang Starlight Advanced Ceramics Co., Ltd