Major Announcement: A Comprehensive Compilation and Analysis of China’s 2022 Membrane Industry Policies (Complete) Enhancing water resource utilization efficiency is the development goal of the membrane industry.

Major listed companies in the membrane industry: Currently, the major publicly listed companies in China’s membrane industry include Biwa Source (300070), Jinmembrane Technology (300334), Jiugu High-Tech (300631), Wotun Technology (000920), Jinke Environment (688466), Zhaojin Membrane Technology (838813), and Weirli (300190).

The central argument of this article is: Membrane industry development goals, wastewater treatment, water resource reuse, and a water‑saving society

1. Policy Timeline

The membrane industry is a strategic high‑tech sector in China. During the 12th Five-Year Plan period, it was designated as a key priority for national industrial development and received focused support, as it simultaneously aligned with two major strategic emerging industries—energy conservation and environmental protection, and new materials. In the 13th Five-Year Plan period, policy clearly identified high‑performance separation membrane materials as a critical strategic material, further elevating their importance and spurring rapid growth in the sector. Looking ahead to the 14th Five-Year Plan, with membrane technology now relatively mature and China’s efforts to harness wastewater resources still in their early stages, policy will continue to focus on wastewater treatment and environmental protection, encouraging the membrane industry to make greater contributions to improving water resource efficiency.

2. Summary and Interpretation of National-Level Policies

— Summary of National-Level Policies for the Membrane Industry

Since 2010, the State Council, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and other departments have successively issued policies to support and regulate the development of the membrane industry, covering such areas as industry development goals, the industry’s status and strategic direction, wastewater treatment, and environmental protection.

— Key Policy Analysis at the National Level: “14th Five-Year Plan for Urban Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery”

The “14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Urban Wastewater Treatment and Resource Utilization” was promulgated in June 2021. The Plan aims to effectively address the imbalance and inadequacy in the development of urban wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure across China, systematically strengthen weak links and address shortcomings, comprehensively enhance the efficiency of wastewater collection and treatment, accelerate the promotion of wastewater resource utilization, and improve the operational and maintenance standards of related facilities.

Among these, the requirements related to wastewater treatment include: addressing gaps in urban and town sewer networks to enhance collection efficiency; strengthening underperforming urban and town wastewater treatment facilities to improve treatment capacity; and expanding infrastructure for reclaimed water utilization to promote the resource‑based use of wastewater.

The Plan suggests that, driven by water scarcity and increasingly stringent water‑treatment standards, the wastewater‑treatment sector will undergo a major upgrade, leading to broader adoption of membrane technologies in the wastewater‑to‑resources market. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the membrane‑treatment market is expected to exceed RMB 100 billion, while improved water‑use efficiency will further spur industry growth.

— Interpretation of National-Level Development Goals for the Membrane Industry

In the “Made in China 2025” initiative, membrane products are designated as a key material priority, with targets set to reduce the cost of water‑treatment membrane materials by more than 20% and cut energy consumption for specialty separation membranes and gas‑separation membranes by 20% by 2025. Separation equipment centered on membrane materials is expected to become the primary separation technology in industries such as petrochemicals and coal chemicals, achieving a 30% improvement in separation efficiency and attaining a domestic content rate exceeding 50%.

3. Summary and Interpretation of Policies at the Provincial and Municipal Levels

— Summary of Membrane Industry Policies in 31 Provinces and Cities

High-performance membrane materials constitute a strategic high-tech industry that underpins advancements in water resources, energy, the modernization and upgrading of traditional industries, and environmental pollution control. At present, China’s membrane products are predominantly concentrated in the water‑treatment sector, accounting for 85% of the membrane market. As the nation places increasing emphasis on environmental protection and raises standards for wastewater treatment, local governments have introduced region‑specific policies to address these needs, thereby driving both the development and demand for membrane‑separation technologies.

At present, both existing and planned wastewater treatment facilities in China are predominantly concentrated in coastal provinces. The country will continue to strengthen environmental protection infrastructure, and numerous provinces and municipalities—including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Shandong—have introduced supportive policies to bolster water‑treatment efforts during the 13th and 14th Five-Year Plans.

— Interpretation of the Development Goals for the Membrane Industry in 31 Provinces and Cities

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China’s major provinces have also set development targets for the membrane industry. Specifically, Beijing, Shandong, Zhejiang, Fujian, Sichuan, and Guangxi have all articulated wastewater‑treatment goals, while Guangdong has estimated a reference investment of approximately RMB 174.8 billion for the construction of urban sewage‑treatment facilities across the province during this period. In addition, Jiangsu, Shenyang, and other municipalities have specified targets for urban reclaimed‑water utilization; Hebei has set an overall target for desalination capacity; and Tianjin has established an energy‑consumption‑reduction goal.

The above data are based on the “China Membrane Industry Market Outlook and Investment Strategy Planning Analysis Report” published by Qianzhan Industry Research Institute. In addition, Qianzhan Industry Research Institute offers a range of solutions, including industrial big data services, industry research, policy analysis, supply-chain consulting, industry mapping, industrial planning, park development planning, investment promotion, feasibility studies for IPO fundraising projects, preparation of IPO‑related business and technical documentation, and advisory services for IPO working papers.