Lanxess Launches Seawater Reverse Osmosis Membranes
Specialty chemicals company Lanxess announced the global launch of its Lewabrane seawater reverse osmosis membranes at the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW). This brings a significant added dimension to its extensive range of water treatment solutions, now comprising its Lewatit range of ion exchange resins and LewaPlus software design tool which incorporates both ion exchange resin and reverse osmosis systems in water treatment plant designs.
New Lewabrane seawater RO membrane (Image: Lanxess)
These solutions are displayed at the SIWW exhibition, held this week from June 2 – 4, 2014 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center. A leading biennial industry event, the SIWW showcases the latest innovations and technologies in the water industry to industry participants from all over the world.
Seawater desalination as an alternative source of water in Asia
With globally depleting freshwater resources, seawater desalination is increasingly seen as a sustainable means of extracting water for industrial and domestic use. This is especially relevant as a solution in Asia, where erstwhile methods of groundwater extraction coupled with increasing population sizes has raised concerns of the ‘sinking city effect’ in some countries. For instance, about 40% of Jakarta is below sea level – this issue is exacerbated by Indonesia’s estimated population growth of about 60% in the next 20 years, which will only increase water consumption needs.
“Adding seawater desalination capabilities to our solutions portfolio is key to Lanxess’ growth as a leading water solutions provider. Asia is strategically important to us, and there is no better place than Singapore - a well-known hydrohub - to launch our newest addition to the Lewabrane range of membranes”, said Alexander Scheffler, Director, Membrane Business, Liquid Purification Technologies business unit of Lanxess.
The launch of Lanxess’ Lewabrane reverse osmosis elements for seawater desalination, together with its existing and extensive membrane portfolio for brackish water, will provide the water industry with high-quality and technically superior solutions.
Growing its comprehensive water treatment portfolio
Lanxess’ Lewatit range of ion exchange resins is already a leading brand in its field with over 75 years’ history in the water treatment industry. Over 200 different product grades of resins are available for water treatment across numerous industries and applications.
As one of only two companies in the world to offer leading water treatment solutions based on both reverse osmosis and ion exchange technologies, Lanxess is uniquely positioned to offer integrated solutions in its Lewatit and Lewabrane product ranges to customers.
Complementing these is Lanxess’ proprietary LewaPlus software design tool. It is currently the only planning tool available in the market which enables customers to simulate and design both reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems for water treatment.
The Liquid Purification Technologies business unit belongs to Lanxess’ Performance Chemicals segment, which achieved total sales in 2013 of EUR 2.13 billion.
Source: LANXESS Deutschland GmbH
