Toray to Launch Next-Generation RO Membrane for Seawater Desalination, Achieving Industry-Leading Salt Rejection

Toray Industries, Inc. has developed the 'TSW-K/M/V series' of reverse osmosis (RO) membrane elements for next-generation seawater desalination, which combine industry-leading salt and boron rejection rates with high chemical resistance. Sales will commence in October 2026. The product will be showcased at the Toray booth during 'Singapore International Water Week (SIWW)', which begins in Singapore on June 15, 2026.

This new product significantly enhances salt rejection performance, reducing salt permeability by up to 55% compared to conventional models. This allows new seawater desalination facilities to transition from a two-stage RO process to a single-stage process. For existing two-stage facilities, it is expected to contribute to energy efficiency and improved water quality by reducing the operational load on the second-stage equipment and optimizing operating conditions, ultimately contributing to the optimization of the entire water treatment process and a reduction in total operational costs. Furthermore, the product possesses industry-leading performance in boron removal, meeting the strict water quality standards required for drinking and industrial applications. In addition, its improved chemical resistance compared to conventional products suppresses performance degradation during chemical cleaning, contributing to long-term stable operation and extending the lifespan of the RO membranes.

In this development, Toray has further advanced its long-cultivated precision control technology for micropores and membrane/element formation technology. By combining quantitative analysis of polyamide pore size distribution, DX-utilized analysis of membrane-water molecule interactions, and flow analysis of water molecules within pores, Toray has achieved a novel membrane structure capable of significantly suppressing the permeation of small molecular substances such as salt and boron. This has resulted in a new product that balances salt/boron rejection performance with high water permeability at a high level.

Toray has long supplied RO membranes to seawater desalination projects around the world. As the 'Desalination Leader,' Toray will continue to further promote the development of cutting-edge water treatment membrane technologies that lead the world.