Toray Launches Industry-Leading Reverse Osmosis Membrane That Doubles Chemical Resistance And Uses 10% Less Energ

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today the launch of the TLF-400ULD reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. It developed this offering with Toray Membrane (Foshan) Co., Ltd., and Toray Advanced Materials Research Laboratories (China) Co., Ltd., for industrial wastewater reuse and sewage treatment.

Toray and Toray BlueStar Membrane Co., Ltd., will market the new offering worldwide. They will showcase its potential to streamline water resource usage.

The TLF-400ULD offers several advantages over conventional counterparts. It uses Toray’s proprietary membrane manufacturing technology and flow-channel design to improve permeability and chemical resistance while maintaining high salt rejection. It slashes differential pressure increases from fouling.

Toray’s innovative design doubles chemical resistance during cleaning while boosting permeability. This suppresses performance deterioration and extends service life. A clogresistant element structure reduces fouling buildup and cuts chemical cleaning frequency. Together, these features enable stable long-term operation while consuming roughly 10% less energy. The TLF-400ULD should reduce membrane replacement frequency and simplify operational management.

Global water shortages are driving demand for water treatment technologies that handle diverse water sources, operate efficiently, and reduce environmental impact. As a nextgeneration solution, the TLF-400ULD will help build energy- and resource-efficient processes at water treatment sites worldwide.

China’s 14th Five-Year Plan for Circular Economy Development (2021–2025) has accelerated the adoption of water treatment membranes to combat water pollution. Toray has established an integrated structure in China covering research, development, production, and sales through Toray BlueStar Membrane, Toray Membrane (Foshan), and Toray Advanced Materials Research Laboratories (China).

These companies will collaborate to deliver optimal local solutions while working with Toray’s global water treatment group. Together, they will contribute to solving the world’s water challenges by providing advanced membrane technologies, including the TLF-400ULD, along with responsive technical services.

Advantages over Toray’s conventional membranes

• Ultra-low pressure drop design: Saves energy by halving differential pressure increases
• Reduced cleaning frequency: Cleaning cycles are around 50% longer
• Improved chemical resistance: Doubles chemical resistance to extend service life
• High permeability: Around 10% higher

TLF-400ULD specifications

Feedwater test conditions

• Pressure: 1.55 MPa
• Temperature: 25°C
• Concentration: 2,000 mg/L as NaCl
• Recovery rate: 15%
• pH: 7

Note
The Chinese government set the following targets under its 14th Five-Year Plan for Circular Economy Development (2021–2025):

(1) Cap annual nationwide water consumption at 640 billion cubic meters
(2) Use water more efficiently:

• Reduce water consumption per unit of GDP by around 16% from the 2020 level
• Lower water consumption per 10,000 yuan of industrial added value by 16%
• Increase the effective utilization coefficient of agricultural irrigation water to at least 0.58

(3) Use non-traditional water resources: Harness more non-traditional water sources, including desalination and wastewater reuse

About Toray
Toray is a leading technology and advanced materials innovator. Since our foundation in 1926, we have contributed to social progress by creating new value. We help the world to overcome new challenges by supplying fibers and textiles, resins and films, carbon fiber composite materials, and other high value-added products. Our approximately 308 subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide employ almost 48,000 people. For more information, visit www.toray.com.