CMEMPRO - Surface polish with innovative character
Short Description
Drinking water purification and wastewater treatment are crucial the world over. This is the job of membranes used for ultra and micro filtration. According to a study conducted by Frost & Sullivan, the membrane market grows by 15.1 percent a year. Same same, but better. From the commercial aspect of membrane production, there is enormous competition from the likes of GE or Mitsubishi.
SFC Umwelttechnik GmbH deserves to be in the same league. The company patented the unique mode of operation of its HDPE-produced, organic hollow fiber membrane. C-MEM is a special application of this membrane, which features micro-pores. In the course of the CMEMPRO project the researchers were able to optimize membrane production. By integrating a quality assurance system, the quality of the finished fibers can now be inferred.
This means that the fibers can be classified according to quality and hence assigned to specific applications. By adjusting the production parameters, the amount of waste material can be significantly reduced. And by improving the membrane surface (pore distribution) the project has succeeded in increasing the fibers’ performance; the addition of a cooling system makes them more durable.
This type of quality assurance by means of membrane classification puts SFC Umwelttechnik GmbH in the pole position in the race against its competitors in the membrane production sector.
From water treatment to algae harvesting
The result of recognizing the connection between fiber performance and stability for future production is an increase of fiber performance by 50 percent. By reducing reject material, energy consumption and waste, the improved C-MEM membrane production has also had a positive effect on the environment as well as on Austria as an innovative business location.
With the expansion of C-MEM’s traditional application areas from drinking water purification and wastewater treatment to medical technology, swimming pools or algae harvesting, the company has not only increased sales but has also secured and created jobs at its location in Salzburg.
Project Partners
Consortium Manager
Other Consortium Partners
- TCKT Transfercenter für Kunststofftechnik GmbH
- ZFE Association for the promotion of electron microscopy
Contact Address
Project Coordinator
Simon Jabornig
E-mail: s.jabornig@sfcu.at