Unlocking reliable RO performance after biological treatment.
Many industrial facilities rely on membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems for wastewater treatment because of their efficiency in removing biodegradable organics and small footprint. However, when it comes to achieving water reuse through reverse osmosis (RO), MBR effluent often poses unique challenges. ZwitterCo’s Elevation RO delivers unmatched fouling resistance and durability, making it the ideal solution for facilities looking to reuse MBR-treated wastewater reliably and cost-effectively.
Why MBR Effluent Polishing Can Be Difficult
MBRs combine biological treatment and membrane filtration, typically using ultrafiltration (UF) membranes to retain biomass. While MBRs remove most particulates and pathogens, they allow certain low molecular weight, recalcitrant organic compounds to pass through. These compounds, such as soluble microbial products (SMPs), biopolymers, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), are notorious for fouling conventional RO membranes.
Traditional RO systems downstream of MBRs often experience significant fouling, high cleaning frequency, and short membrane life—all of which undermine water reuse economics. ZwitterCo’s Elevation RO changes the equation.

Built to Handle Tough-to-Treat Water
ZwitterCo’s Elevation RO uses breakthrough zwitterionic membrane chemistry that resists organic fouling and extends membrane performance in the toughest wastewater conditions. Unlike conventional polyamide RO membranes, Elevation RO maintains high flux and rejection, even in the presence of:
- Bioreactor-derived SMPs and EPS
- Recalcitrant, low molecular weight organics
- High fouling-potential industrial contaminants
This allows facilities to reliably operate RO systems after MBRs—unlocking new reuse opportunities without burdensome maintenance or replacement costs.
Common Applications of MBR + RO Systems
MBR followed by RO is a well-established treatment train in industries seeking high-quality water reuse. Elevation RO enhances this approach, bringing membrane resilience and stable performance to the following sectors:
Food & Beverage
Reuse of process wash water or CIP effluent
Breweries & Distilleries
Treatment of stillage wastewater
Textiles & Dyeing
Removal of colorants and salts post-MBR
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Advanced treatment for high-organic effluent
Refineries & Petrochemicals
Recovery of wastewater in high-COD environments
Municipal & Decentralized Reuse
Compact reuse systems for satellite facilities

Elevation membranes for MBR Effluent:

Membranes with the Highest Resistance to Organic Fouling

Membranes Built with ZwitterShield™
Shorten cleaning duration and extend time between cleaning cycles
Clean with simple chemicals instead of expensive, formulated cleaners
Reliable operations
Proven results. Minimal cleaning.
With Elevation RO, operators can expect:
- Extended Runtime: Reduced cleaning frequency compared to traditional RO
- Lower Lifecycle Cost: Fewer replacements, less downtime, and reduced OPEX
- Seamless Integration: Drop-in compatibility with existing RO systems

EXCLUSIVE WEBINAR
Revolutionizing Water & Wastewater Treatment with ZwitterCo Membranes
We invite you to access our exclusive webinar where experts at ZwitterCo and our customers discuss the latest advancements in reverse osmosis membrane solutions for wastewater treatment.
Mott Case Study
Speak with our engineers to discover ways that ZwitterCo can support positive changes at your plant. With our help, you can reduce your hauling and avoid heavy OPEX spend on plant expansion.

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Industrial Wastewater Reuse
ZwitterCo has only polymeric membranes that can filter high strength organic streams without rapid and irreversible fouling. More description here to describe the kind of solutions we offer for NMP.
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Challenging Surface Water Treatment
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High Value Protein & Co-Product Separation
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Remove Bulk Organics
Remove tough to fight organics, such as fats, oils, grease, and protein.
Fully Chlorine-Intolerant
Can endure aggressive cleaning without wear and tear
Runs at Low Pressure
Runs at low pressure by not removing salt, sugar, alcohol’s or other small molecules.
Replaces Biological Systems
Replace biological systems or coagulation/flocculation processes commonly used to treat organics.
Let's talk.
If your facility is already using an MBR or is planning a biological treatment upgrade, Elevation RO can dramatically improve your downstream performance. Reach out to ZwitterCo today to learn how we help facilities maximize water reuse while minimizing fouling and maintenance.