Achieving high protein concentrations in WPC80 and WPI90 processing has traditionally required a tradeoff between solids and flux. Proteins and other organics tend to adhere to conventional polyethersulfone membranes, so as solids increase, the dynamic barrier—or gel layer—thickens due to this adhesion. This is the fouling that occurs during normal operation, and it’s critical because operating flux is highly dependent on the gel layer’s thickness.
The anti-fouling properties of ZwitterCo Evolution membranes change this dynamic. Since proteins do not adhere to the membrane surface, far less shear force is needed to sweep proteins and other foulants away. This maintains a thinner gel layer and delivers higher operating flux, enabling processors to increase throughput or produce higher-value, higher-solids products.
A New Material for Protein Concentration Efficiency
Evolution SF uses the extreme hydrophilicity of zwitterions to attract water and repel organics. This chemistry prevents the irreversible adhesion of proteins, fats, and other organic compounds that traditionally limit membrane performance. The result is a membrane that is anti-fouling even under the high-solids conditions common in dairy streams. Because the membranes clean easily and recover full performance, plants can maintain steady operation longer between cleanings – maximizing productivity.
Proven Performance in the Field
FDA-compliant and designed to replace conventional membranes directly, Evolution SF has been field proven since 2024 in WPI and plant protein operation. Operators report stable flux profiles over extended runs and simplified cleaning programs that eliminate unnecessary chemical steps.
During our recent webinar, 66% of attendees identified excessive membrane fouling as their top productivity challenge, confirming what ZwitterCo continues to hear in the field. Evolution SF directly addresses this reality, empowering plants to push higher concentration factors without sacrificing productivity.
Consistent Output, Simplified Operations
Evolution SF membranes are ideal for:
- High-solids applications, such as the back-end of WPC and WPI processes
- Processes with high fat content, such as whole milk and WPPC
- Recovering starch from processing streams
By maintaining higher, consistent flux through even the most demanding runs, Evolution SF enables increased throughput and smoother operation, helping processors get more from every cleaning cycle and every production hour.
For more information or to discuss how ZwitterCo Evolution membranes can enhance your food and dairy processing operations, contact ZwitterCo here.