As noted by Dairy Foods, the membrane filtration market in the dairy industry is showing steady growth amid active investments by processors in modern separation and concentration technologies. According to market research for 2026, demand for membrane systems is increasing across all key dairy processing segments — from milk to whey and dairy ingredients.
According to analytical estimates, the global membrane filtration market for the food and dairy industries could reach approximately USD 10 billion by 2035, with an average annual growth rate of around 8.5%. Ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis are being increasingly adopted to improve product stability, enhance nutritional profiles, and optimize production processes.
Membrane technologies play a key role in protein concentration, lactose reduction, and microbiological control, aligning with growing consumer demand for clean-label products and minimal processing. In addition, their use helps reduce losses, increase product yields, and improve the efficiency of water and energy management.
The most active investments in membrane equipment are concentrated in North America and the Asia-Pacific region. In 2026, the adoption of these technologies is expected to further enhance the efficiency, quality, and sustainability of dairy processing.
Source: Dairyfoods.com
