- De.mem (DEM) launches a “next-generation” membrane technology after a two-year development process
- The company says the new graphene oxide (GO)-enhance membrane technology has important benefits over standard membrane tech
- The benefits include rapid water permeation, “substantially higher” volumes of clean water produced, and increased rejection of contaminants
- According to De.mem, the new technology is the result of a 24-month product development process at its Singapore research facility
- Shares in De.mem are up 8 per cent and trading at 27 cents each at 10:22 am AEST
Water treatment specialist De.mem (DEM) has launched a “next-generation” membrane technology after a two-year development process.
The new product is a graphene oxide (GO)-based membrane technology that De.mem claims has some cost and filtration benefits compared to conventional membrane water treatment products.
The new technology is based on De.mem’s existing products but infuses the polymer membranes with GO nanoparticles.
De.mem said graphene was a “wonder material”, being one of the lightest, most conductive, and most transparent materials known to man.
What’s more, when adding oxygen groups to graphene to make GO, the result is a major improvement in membrane water treatment capabilities compared to standard polymer membranes.
The benefits include rapid water permeation, “substantially higher” volumes of clean water produced — known as water flux — and increased rejection of contaminants.
De.mem CEO Andreas Krell said with its improved flux and high rejection of contaminants, the new technology has the potential to disrupt the membrane industry.
“With our new graphene oxide (GO) enhanced membranes we are now adding another unique technology family to our IP portfolio,” Mr Kroell said.
“We are very excited about launching this new technology and are now moving to the industrial-scale pilot stage.”
Alongside the new GO-enhanced membrane, De.mem’s tech portfolio includes its hollow fibre nanofiltration membrane tech, used to produce high-quality treated water through a low-energy consumption process, and its ultrafiltration membrane tech, used to help make drinkable water from industrial waste and seawater.
“While being recognized by our clients as a leader in providing industrial water and wastewater treatment solutions, the highly competitive position of De.mem is built around our portfolio of innovative hollow‐fibre membrane technologies,” Mr Kroell said.
He said De.mem’s tech and intellectual property (IP) portfolio gives it a “competitive edge” in the membrane market.
The new GO-enhanced membrane technology is the result of a 24-month product development process at De.mem’s Singapore research facility.
De.mem said it is currently commencing industrial-scale pilot projects.
Shares in De.mem were up 8 per cent and trading at 27 cents each at 10:22 am AEST. The company has a $58.5 million market cap.