Introducing Fouling Thermal Resistance RO Membranes To Support Water Treatment And Recycling In Industrial Manufacturing

facilitating stable operation under harsh feedwater conditions and reducing maintenance burden

Nitto Denko Corporation (headquartered in Osaka, Japan; president: Tatsuya Akagi; hereinafter referred to as "Nitto") and Hydranautics, a subsidiary of the Nitto Group, began selling "PRO-XR1-X-LD" in September. This is a fouling thermal resistance RO thin film element suitable for reusing challenging wastewater generated in semiconductor, mining, and industrial manufacturing.

In recent years, the expansion of the semiconductor, mining, and industrial sectors has led to an increase in the amount of water used in each manufacturing process. At the same time, global demand for the efficient use of water resources and the reduction of environmental impact continues to grow. Furthermore, with stricter wastewater regulations now in effect, there is an urgent need for technologies that enable highly efficient water reuse.

RO membranes are microporous filter materials that remove impurities from water and are widely used in industrial water production and wastewater reuse. Wastewater generated in industrial processes contains many components that can cause membrane fouling, such as organic matter and fine particles. Therefore, frequent membrane cleaning and replacement are necessary to prevent water treatment performance degradation, which increases operating costs and environmental impact.

The newly launched "PRO-XR1-X-LD" is a fouling thermal resistance RO membrane primarily designed to inhibit membrane fouling, a major challenge in treating complex wastewater. Through Nitto's proprietary surface coating technology and optimized flow channel structure, this product helps suppress the adhesion of organic matter and colloidal particles, mitigating performance issues caused by fouling while maintaining high impurity removal rates. The result is stable treatment performance and highly efficient water recovery, even in demanding wastewater applications. By reducing the frequency of membrane cleaning, this product can extend membrane life to approximately twice that of conventional products, while also helping to reduce maintenance load and operating costs. Through efficient water reuse, the product also helps reduce the overall environmental impact of the manufacturing process.

Nitto’s mid-term management plan, announced in May 2026, identifies “Green Tech” as one of its growth areas, which includes its membrane separation business.

Nitto will continue to contribute to sustainable water use in the semiconductor, mining, and industrial manufacturing industries, providing tailored products and solutions to meet the water treatment needs of each industry and reduce its environmental impact.

About Nitto Denko Corporation
Since its founding in 1918, Nitto, a manufacturer of high-performance materials, has provided a wide range of products and services globally, including optical materials such as polarizing films for display devices, circuit boards, industrial tapes, and medical-related products, leveraging its eight core technologies. Adhering to its brand motto of "Innovation for Customers," Nitto is committed to creating indispensable value for society and contributing to a sustainable global environment and a prosperous human society.

About Hydranautics
Hydranautics is a member of the Nitto Group and a global leader in innovative membrane solutions. We offer a comprehensive range of membrane technologies, including reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, and microfiltration for water, wastewater, and process treatment applications. Our membrane solutions are used across a wide range of sectors on seven continents, such as seawater desalination, industrial high-purity water production, surface water treatment, wastewater treatment, and specialty process applications. Our global membrane division is headquartered in Oceanside, California, USA, and we also have two advanced manufacturing facilities in Oceanside and Shiga, Japan. For more information, visit www.membranes.com.