Chinese industry reacts to stricter water standards

Water-stressed industries in China are favouring membrane bioreactor (MBR) technologies for wastewater treatment, in response to newer, more stringent standards.


The new standards form part of the Chinese Government’s five-year plan, running from 2011 to 2015, to provide directive guidelines for water reclamation and reuse and wastewater discharge.

A study by business research and consultancy firm Frost & Sullivan has revealed MBR water treatment and technology is the preferred choice among municipal and industrial end-users looking to meet the stricter wastewater discharge standards set by the Chinese Government.

According to Frost & Sullivan, initiatives set by the Government aim to encourage MBR market growth, and as such it is being named as one of the recommended technologies by the Ministry of Environment Protection of China.

Frost & Sullivan consulting analyst Jennie Peng, said: “As one of the recommended technologies by the Ministry of Environment Protection of China, MBR appears the most feasible solution to the water reuse problems, especially with the country’s improving technology and operation management skills.”

MBR market growth has been attributed to the staging of three major country events, including the Beijing Olympic Games, when MBR technology won the tender for ancillary water treatment facility for reclamation and reuse purposes.

Figures also show that ambitious water reuse targets, which aim to boost China’s local MBR industries and fuel growth, saw the market earn revenues of $228m in 2010. However, while the technology is “mature” Frost & Sullivan consulting analyst Ms Peng commented that only part of its potential has been exploited, adding that more training is needed to help businesses exploit this potential.

As a result, this considerably raised its revenue and profile in the water reclamation market and it is now been forecast to reach $1,351m by 2017.

Carys Matthews

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