Evolve your process.
ZwitterCo Evolution membrane elements offer food and dairy processors a direct replacement solution that shortens and simplifies membrane cleaning programs, increases productivity, unlocks significant chemical and water savings, and drives sustainability outcomes.
Using breakthrough zwitterionic technology, Evolution membranes are extremely hydrophilic and highly resistant to irreversible organic fouling from high-fat, high-protein streams. This anti-fouling performance reduces cleaning steps and costs, delivering unmatched efficiency gains.
Increase productivity
With a novel zwitterionic copolymer anti-fouling chemistry, foulants are repelled or displaced from the membrane surface. This minimizes gel layer formation, increasing overall productivity.
More sustainable operations
By minimizing water, chemical, and heat use, Evolution membranes support more sustainable operations and help lower your carbon intensity score.
Save money and time
Evolution membranes eliminate costly cleaning program steps, significantly decreasing chemical, water, and energy use. These membranes reduce operating expenses and give operators more time to focus on other priorities.
Simple integration
Evolution membranes are one-for-one substitutions for industry-standard products—no system modifications or new CAPEX required.
Superfiltration Membrane
Evolution SF
ZwitterCo Evolution SF membranes are designed to replace conventional tight ultrafiltration membranes and open nanofiltration membranes in high-solids applications.
Ideal Applications
High-solids protein concentration
Feed in streams with high fat content
NF replacement for protein contentration
protein concentration MEMBRANE
Evolution PCM
ZwitterCo Evolution PCM membranes replace conventional 5-20 kDa UF membranes used in protein concentration, offering breakthrough fouling recovery.
Ideal Applications
Whey and milk protein concentration
Plant protein contentration
Gelatin concentration
Reverse Osmosis MEMBRANE
Evolution RO
ZwitterCo Evolution RO membranes deliver advanced anti-fouling performance in process applications, serving as a direct replacement for conventional RO systems. With simpler cleanings, they offer reduced chemical, water, and energy use.
Ideal Applications
Skim milk concentration
Permeate polishing
Industrial product concentration
Make implementation easy.
Purchase
Own your membranes outright — with confidence. Every purchase is backed by the strongest warranty in the industry for long-term reliability and peace of mind.
- Full ownership from day one
- Ideal for CAPEX-funded projects
Subscription
Experience the value of ZwitterCo membranes with a low up-front cost and a process guarantee. Our novel subscription model includes:
- Process guarantee
- ZwitterCo responsible for replacements
- A predictable monthly operating fee
CASE STUDY
Optimizing Cleaning in a Dairy Effluent Polishing System
Proving ZwitterCo Evolution RO simplifies cleaning programs
Shorter and faster cleaning program by eliminating the enzyme step
Greater than 50% reduction in membrane cleaning costs
Operations with like-new performance since August 2024
CASE STUDY
The Impact of Evolution Membranes at Solugen
Discover how Evolution SF membranes saved time and money at a Houston bioprocessing facility
Greater than 400% cost savings in just nine months
Over 100% improvement in cycle times
Full flux recovery with simple cleanings
Top Industries
Faq
FAQs for Evolution Membranes
Here you’ll find clear answers to the questions we get most often from customers in the field.
Have more questions? chat with our team by clicking the icon.
- Overall cleaning costs can be reduced by over 50%. The total will depend on the current cleaning program in use with conventional membranes.
- Each step removed from the program will save about an hour of time and reduce water demand by about 25%. A simplified cleaning program also translates to less wastewater to treat.
- Removing only the enzyme step from the program can lower chemical costs by about 50%.
- Customers have experienced a decrease in cleaning-related water usage of up to 40%.
With a novel zwitterionic copolymer anti-fouling chemistry, Evolution membranes repel or displace foulants from the membrane surface. By decreasing foulants at the membrane surface, gel layer formation is minimized. This creates a higher effective flux through the membrane and thus increases overall productivity.
A variety of feed spacers are available:
- 30 mil
- 46 mil
- 65 mil
- 80 mil
The following element diameters are currently offered for 38” long elements:
- 8.0” (8038)
- 7.8” (7838)
- 6.4” (6438)
- 6.3” (6338)
- 4.3″ (4338)
- 3.8” (3838)
Sanitary-stye 1812 test elements are also available
ZwitterCo is willing to make element sizes not listed on the data sheets. Please contact ZwitterCo to discuss your specific opportunity further.
No. Evolution membranes are compatible with new and existing membrane systems and designs. Special system designs or modifications are not required.
These elements look and feel like traditional sanitary spiral elements with a polypropylene outerwrap and no ATDs. They are available in industry-standard dimensions and feed spacers.
FDA compliance:
- Evolution PCM, RO, and SF elements are FDA-compliant for whey and milk processing. Other applications are evaluated on a use case basis.
Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004:
- ZwitterCo is pursuing certification for 2026.
ZwitterCo is pursuing a number of other certifications requested by our clients with a target for late 2025 or early 2026, depending on the specific product. These include:
- Halal
- Kosher
- 3A Sanitary Standard 45-03
- USDA
- Evolution PCM: Maximum operating temperature is currently 55°C; maximum cleaning temperature is 50°C.
- Evolution SF: Maximum operating temperature is currently 55°C; maximum cleaning temperature is 50°C.
- Evolution RO: Maximum operating and cleaning temperatures are currently 50°C.
The primary cause of membrane failure is from frequent chemical cleanings – daily multi-step programs in the case of most food processing streams.
ZwitterCo anti-fouling membranes fully recover performance with fewer chemical steps, resulting in longer operating life.
While there is no single answer for how long Evolution membranes will last, ZwitterCo is so confident that Evolution membranes will last longer than conventional membranes that we guarantee it through two different sales models. Please contact ZwitterCo to discuss purchasing options.
Let's talk.
Whether you’re curious about our membrane technology, want to conduct a feasibility study, or are ready to get started on a project, we’re excited to speak with you and your team.