CSIR-Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR-CSMCRI), Bhavnagar, transferred the “Process Know-how for End-of-life Reverse Osmosis Membrane Rejuvenation (MEPL)” to a Delhi and Gurugram based company named the “Membrane Engineering Private Limited” on 06 June 2024. 

CSIR-CSMCRI has long worked on water desalination through indigenously developed advanced membrane systems. With growing demand for Reverse Osmosis membranes, there is an equivalent growth in end-of-life discarded Reverse Osmosis membrane elements. Reverse Osmosis membrane waste is a potentially hazardous polymeric waste. CSIR-CSMCRI has developed the technology to reuse the membrane element after its useful life is over. 

Dr Hiren Raval, the principal investigator of the technology, mentioned that the process technology could transform the discarded end-of-life Reverse Osmosis membrane elements into the membranes for different applications, e.g. partial substitution for new membrane in the same application, brackish water Reverse Osmosis, wastewater reuse, zero liquid discharge applications, etc. It will create significant value from waste and transform the membranes for different applications. During the event, Mr MM Narang, Chairman of MEPL, with his team and Dr Kamalesh Prasad, Head BDIM, Dr Hiren Raval, Dr Shibaji Ghosh, Dr Kanti Bhooshan Pandey, Dr Kandeeban were present.