가스 분리막 시장 규모는 2024년에 11억 4,000만 달러로 평가되었으며, 2024년부터 2031년까지 CAGR 5.8%로 성장하여 2031년에는 17억 2,000만 달러에 달할 것으로 예측됩니다.
가스 분리막은 크기, 용해도, 확산성 등의 가스 파라미터에 따라 특정 가스를 선택적으로 투과시키고 다른 가스를 차단하는 반투과성 장벽입니다.
이 멤브레인은 공기에서 질소 분리, 천연가스에서 이산화탄소와 황화수소 제거, 정유공장에서의 수소 회수, 가스 흐름에서 휘발성 유기화합물 추출 등 다양한 산업 분야에 널리 사용되고 있습니다.
또한, 그 효율성과 낮은 환경 영향 때문에 의료용 공기 농축 및 온실 가스 회수 등의 공정에도 자주 사용되어 가스 처리 산업에서 에너지 절약 및 운영 비용 절감을 실현하고 있습니다.
가스 분리막 시장을 형성하는 주요 시장 역학은 다음과 같습니다:
천연가스 및 바이오가스 정화 수요 증가 : 청정에너지원으로 천연가스 및 바이오가스 사용이 증가함에 따라 가스 분리막에 대한 수요가 증가하고 있습니다. 국제에너지기구(IEA)에 따르면, 세계 천연가스 수요는 2020년부터 2040년까지 29% 증가할 것으로 예상됩니다. 미국 에너지정보국(EIA)에 따르면, 미국의 천연가스 생산량은 2010년 25.1조 입방피트에서 2019년 34.9조 입방피트로 사상 최대치를 기록했습니다. 천연가스의 생산과 소비가 증가함에 따라 멤브레인과 같은 효과적인 가스 분리 기술에 대한 수요가 증가하고 있습니다.
탄소 포집 및 저장(CCS) 기술에 대한 관심 증가 : 온실가스 감축에 대한 관심이 높아지면서 가스 분리막을 이용한 CCS 기술의 도입이 가속화되고 있습니다. Global CCS Institute에 따르면, 2020년까지 가동 중이거나 건설 중인 대규모 CCS 시설은 65개소로 2011년 38개소보다 증가했습니다. 국제에너지기구(IEA)에 따르면 CCS는 2050년까지 전 세계 이산화탄소 배출량을 19% 감축하는 한편, 기후변화 완화 비용을 70% 절감할 수 있다고 합니다. CCS에 대한 관심이 높아지면서 가스 분리막 시장이 크게 성장할 것으로 예상됩니다.
수소 경제의 확대 : 지속가능한 에너지 운반체로서 수소의 인기가 높아짐에 따라 수소 생산 및 정제에 사용되는 가스 분리막에 대한 수요가 증가하고 있습니다. 수소위원회는 2050년까지 세계 수소 시장이 2조 5,000억 달러 규모로 성장하여 전 세계 에너지 수요의 18%를 차지할 것으로 예측하고 있습니다. 유럽연합(EU)은 2030년까지 최소 40GW의 재생 수소전해질을 설치하는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다. 이러한 수소경제의 확대는 특히 수소 정제용 가스 분리막 시장의 큰 폭의 성장에 박차를 가할 것으로 보입니다.
주요 과제
높은 초기 투자비용 : 높은 초기 투자비용은 가스 분리막 시장에 큰 제약요인으로 작용하고 있습니다. 멤브레인 시스템 개발에는 많은 자금이 필요하기 때문에 특히 중소기업이나 개발도상국에서는 잠재적인 사용자의 발목을 잡고 있습니다. 이러한 경제적 장벽은 시장 침투와 채택을 저해합니다. 기업은 효율은 떨어질 수 있지만 초기 비용이 적게 드는 전통적인 분리 방식을 선택할 수 있기 때문입니다.
제한된 인식과 이해 : 가스 분리막 기술에 대한 지식과 이해 부족도 장벽 중 하나입니다. 많은 분야에서 가스 분리막의 장점과 용도에 대해 아직 잘 알려져 있지 않으며, 그 결과 기존의 접근 방식보다 장점이 있음에도 불구하고 충분히 활용되지 못하고 있습니다. 이러한 이해 부족은 효율성 향상과 운영 비용 최소화에 도움이 되지 않는 낡은 기술을 계속 사용할 수 있기 때문에 시장 성장을 저해하고 있습니다.
주요 동향:
산업 분야에서의 적용 확대 : 가스 분리막은 석유화학, 화학 생산, 천연가스 처리 등 다양한 산업 분야에서 수요가 증가하고 있습니다. 이 멤브레인은 가스를 선택적으로 여과 및 분리하여 공정 효율을 향상시키고, 질소 생성 및 가스 감미료화 등의 응용 분야에서 중요한 역할을 합니다. 이러한 추세는 효과적인 가스 분리 기술에 의존하는 사업에서 업무 절차를 간소화하는 방향으로의 광범위한 변화를 반영합니다.
녹색기술에 대한 중요성 증대 : 전 세계적으로 지속가능성을 중시하는 움직임에 힘입어 시장은 녹색기술로 크게 변화하고 있습니다. 가스 분리막은 일반적으로 에너지 사용량이 적고 온실가스 배출량도 적어 기존 분리기술보다 친환경적인 대체기술로 인정받고 있습니다. 이 개발은 기업의 지속가능성 목표와 일치하며, 규제 기준을 충족하고 환경 성능을 개선하기 위해 멤브레인 기술을 채택하도록 기업을 독려하고 있습니다.
멤브레인 소재의 발전 : 멤브레인 소재의 끊임없는 연구 개발은 성능과 내구성의 향상으로 이어집니다. 기술 혁신의 핵심은 투과성과 선택성을 높인 신소재 개발이며, 이를 통해 가스 분리 시스템의 신뢰성과 수명을 향상시키고 있습니다. 이러한 발전은 가스 분리막의 까다로운 작동 상황에서 사용 편의성을 향상시키는 데 매우 중요하며, 시장 확대와 다양한 분야에서의 채택을 촉진하고 있습니다.
Gas Separation Membranes Market size was valued at USD 1.14 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1.72 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2031.
Gas separation membranes are semipermeable barriers that selectively allow certain gases through while blocking others based on gas parameters such as size, solubility, and diffusivity.
These membranes are widely employed in a variety of industrial applications, including nitrogen separation from air, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide removal from natural gas, hydrogen recovery in refineries, and volatile organic compound extraction from gas streams.
Furthermore, their efficiency and low environmental effect make them a popular choice for processes such as medical air enrichment and greenhouse gas capture, resulting in energy savings and lower operational costs in the gas processing industries.
The key market dynamics that are shaping the gas separation membranes market include:
Increasing Demand for Natural Gas and Biogas Purification: The increased usage of natural gas and biogas as cleaner energy sources is pushing up demand for gas separation membranes. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), worldwide natural gas demand is expected to rise by 29% between 2020 and 2040. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. natural gas output hit a record high of 34.9 trillion cubic feet in 2019, up from 25.1 trillion cubic feet in 2010. The increase in natural gas production and consumption raises the demand for effective gas separation technologies, such as membranes.
Rising Focus on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Technologies: The growing emphasis on decreasing greenhouse gas emissions is accelerating the introduction of CCS technology, which employs gas separation membranes. According to the Global CCS Institute, there were 65 large-scale CCS facilities in operation and construction by 2020, up from 38 in 2011. According to the International Energy Agency, CCS could reduce global carbon dioxide emissions by 19% while lowering the cost of climate change mitigation by 70% by 2050. This increased focus on CCS is projected to greatly boost the gas separation membranes market.
Expansion of the Hydrogen Economy: The growing popularity of hydrogen as a sustainable energy carrier is boosting demand for gas separation membranes used in hydrogen generation and purification. The Hydrogen Council estimates that the worldwide hydrogen market will be worth USD 2.5 Trillion by 2050, accounting for 18% of global energy demand. The European Union aims to install at least 40 GW of renewable hydrogen electrolyzers by 2030. This expansion of the hydrogen economy is likely to spur significant growth in the gas separation membranes market, particularly for hydrogen purification applications.
Key Challenges:
High Initial Investment Costs: The high initial investment costs place a substantial constraint on the gas separation membranes market. Installation of membrane systems involves significant cash, which deters potential users, particularly in smaller businesses or developing regions. This financial barrier inhibits market penetration and adoption, as businesses can opt for traditional separation methods that, while possibly less efficient, need fewer initial costs.
Limited Awareness and Understanding: Lack of knowledge and comprehension of gas separation membrane technology among possible users is another barrier. Many sectors are still unfamiliar with the benefits and applications of these membranes, resulting in underutilization despite their advantages over traditional approaches. This lack of understanding stifles market growth since businesses may continue to use old technologies that do not enhance efficiency or minimize operational expenses.
Key Trends:
Growing Uses in Industry: Gas separation membranes are increasingly in demand across a wide range of industrial industries, including petrochemicals, chemical production, and natural gas processing. These membranes improve process efficiency by selectively filtering and separating gases, which is critical in applications such as nitrogen generation and gas sweetening. This trend reflects a broader shift toward streamlining operational procedures in businesses that rely on effective gas separation technologies.
Growing Emphasis on Green Technology: The market is undergoing a substantial change toward green technology, driven by a global emphasis on sustainability. Gas separation membranes are acknowledged as a more environmentally friendly alternative to classic separation technologies since they typically use less energy and emit fewer greenhouse gases. This development is consistent with corporate sustainability aims, pushing firms to employ membrane technology to meet regulatory standards and improve their environmental performance.
Progress in Membrane Materials: Continuous research and development in membrane materials is leading to improvements in performance and durability. Innovations are centered on developing novel materials with increased permeability and selectivity, which improves the reliability and longevity of gas separation systems. These advances are crucial for improving the usability of gas separation membranes in difficult operating situations, thus boosting market expansion and adoption across varied sectors.
Here is a more detailed regional analysis of the gas separation membranes market:
Asia Pacific:
According to VMR analyst, the Asia Pacific region is estimated to dominate the gas separation membrane market during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is rapidly industrializing, which increases demand for natural gas and, as a result, gas separation membranes. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), natural gas demand in Asia Pacific is expected to increase by 60% between 2019 and 2040. China is estimated to account for 30% of global natural gas demand growth during this period. According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2021, natural gas consumption in the Asia-Pacific region climbed by 3.2% in 2020, to 869.9 billion cubic meters, despite the global pandemic. The region's increased demand for natural gas drives the need for effective gas separation methods.
Furthermore, the Asia Pacific region has a fast-expanding petrochemical industry, which is a major user of gas separation membranes. The International Energy Agency predicts that the region will account for more than half of the global growth in petrochemical demand between 2018 and 2050. According to the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, China's petrochemical industry output value would reach 11.08 trillion yuan (approximately USD 1.7 Trillion) in 2020, a 3.3% increase over the previous year. The rise of the petrochemical industry is pushing up demand for gas separation membranes, which are utilized in a variety of processes such as gas purification and olefin/paraffin separation.
Europe:
Europe region is estimated to exhibit significant growth within the market during the forecast period. Europe has set strong climate goals, which are promoting the use of technology such as gas separation membranes for carbon capture and storage (CCS). The European Union wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, to become climate neutral by 2050. To fulfill these aims, the European Commission estimates that yearly investments in the energy system will need to be around €350 billion greater in the 2021-2030 decade than in the preceding decade. The push for decarbonization is predicted to significantly boost demand for gas separation membranes in CCS applications throughout Europe.
Furthermore, Europe is at the forefront of developing a hydrogen-based economy, which necessitates the widespread use of gas separation membranes for hydrogen generation and purification. The European Union's hydrogen policy seeks to deploy at least 6 gigawatts (GW) of renewable hydrogen electrolyzers by 2024 and 40 GW by 2030. The European Commission forecasts that cumulative investments in renewable hydrogen in Europe might reach €180-470 billion by 2050. This rapid expansion of the hydrogen sector is a major driver of the regional gas separation membranes market.
North America:
North America is estimated to exhibit substantial growth within the market during the forecast period. North America has seen an increasing emphasis on CCS projects to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, which is driving up demand for gas separation membranes. According to the Global CCS Institute, as of 2021, North America had 38 commercial CCS plants in operation or under development, accounting for more than half of the global total. Since 2010, the US Department of Energy has invested more than USD 1 Billion in research and development of carbon capture and storage technologies. The rising focus on CCS technology is driving the use of gas separation membranes in CO2 collection applications.
Furthermore, North America is experiencing a substantial expansion in hydrogen production and consumption, which is increasing demand for gas separation membranes in hydrogen purification operations. The Hydrogen Program Plan of the United States Department of Energy seeks to expedite technological advancements in hydrogen generation and distribution. The proposal aims to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per kilogram by 2030, representing an 80% decrease from current levels. By 2050, Canada's Hydrogen Strategy aims to provide up to 30% of the country's end-use energy from hydrogen. These aggressive hydrogen adoption ambitions are likely to drive up demand for gas separation membranes in hydrogen production and purification processes across North America.
The Gas Separation Membranes Market is segmented based on Material, Module, Application, and Geography.
Cellulose Acetate
Polysulfone
Polyimide & Polyaramide
Based on Material, the market is segmented into Cellulose Acetate, Polysulfone, and Polyimide & Polyaramide. The polyimide & polyaramide segment is estimated to dominate the gas separation membranes market due to polyimide membranes' exceptional performance qualities, which include high gas separation efficiency, thermal stability, and chemical resistance. These qualities make them ideal for high-temperature applications and procedures like air separation and CO2 removal. As the market seeks more efficient and dependable gas separation options, polyimide membranes are projected to maintain their market leadership.
Plate & Frame
Hollow Fiber
Spiral Wound
Others
Based on the Module, the market is segmented into Plate & Frame, Hollow Fiber, Spiral Wound, and Others. The hollow fiber segment is estimated to dominate the gas separation membranes market due to the hollow fiber membranes' high surface area-to-volume ratio, which improves gas separation efficiency and enables compact system designs. Their modest weight and flexibility make them appropriate for a variety of applications, including natural gas processing and carbon dioxide removal. Hollow fiber membranes are gaining market share as companies seek more efficient and space-saving alternatives.
Air Dehydration
H2S Removal
Nitrogen Generation & Oxygen Enrichment
Hydrogen Recovery
Vapor Separation
Gas Separation
Water & Wastewater Removal
Carbon Dioxide Removal
Others
Based on the Application, the market is segmented into Air Dehydration, H2S Removal, Nitrogen Generation & Oxygen Enrichment, Hydrogen Recovery, Vapor Separation, Gas Separation, Carbon Dioxide Removal, and Others. The water & wastewater removal segment is estimated to hold the majority share in the forecast period in the gas separation membranes market. This dominance is driven by the growing demand for effective and energy-efficient separation technologies for water quality management and wastewater treatment. The increased emphasis on environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance drives up demand for gas separation membranes in this application, making it a key segment for market growth and innovation.
North America
Europe
Asia Pacific
Rest of the World
Based on Geography, the Gas Separation Membranes Market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The Asia Pacific region is estimated to hold the largest share of the gas separation membranes market during the forecast period driven by rapid industrialization and rising need for effective gas separation technology. Countries such as China and India are major contributors to this increase, which is powered by their burgeoning petrochemical and natural gas sectors. The region's emphasis on carbon dioxide removal and compliance with environmental standards promotes the use of gas separation membranes, consolidating its market dominance.
Our market analysis also entails a section solely dedicated to such major players wherein our analysts provide an insight into the financial statements of all the major players, along with product benchmarking and SWOT analysis. The competitive landscape section also includes key development strategies, market share, and market ranking analysis of the above-mentioned players globally.