Downstream processing (DSP) in fermentation and enzyme operations involve separations that are ideal for membranes. Unfortunately, conventional membranes in DSP often fight a losing battle against fouling. Every time flux drops, cleaning length and time increases, eating away at production hours and profitability.
ZwitterCo Evolution membranes break that cycle. Built from zwitterionic chemistry that is inherently anti-fouling, Evolution membranes maintain stable flux longer – even in demanding dairy, food, and biotech environments – and recover full performance after faster, simpler cleanings.
Zwitterionic Chemistry at Work
The zwitterionic composition of Evolution membranes attracts water and repels organics, preventing the irreversible buildup of proteins, fats, and other compounds. This surface chemistry minimizes gel layer formation, enabling longer and more stable production runs, shorter cleaning cycles, and faster flux recovery compared to conventional membranes.
Because performance is fully recovered with a shorter, lower-cost cleaning program, Evolution membranes allow operators to reduce chemical usage, increase membrane lifetime, lower freshwater demand, and save an hour or more of cleaning time each day. Over time, those hours translate directly into higher throughput and better equipment utilization.
A Smarter Way to Run DSP Systems
The advantages of Evolution membranes start with more stable flux and reduced chemical demand, but they go far beyond that. By keeping systems running longer between CIPs, plants can operate more predictably and profitably.
For processors aiming to recover productivity and extend system life, Evolution membranes offer a simple but powerful change: one that turns cleaning time into production time and transforms DSP performance for good.
Real Savings and Real Uptime Gains
Anti-fouling Evolution membranes enable fewer and less expensive cleaning steps – and the impact is immediate. Plants have cut cleaning costs by over 50%, reduced water use for cleaning by over 40%, and reclaimed valuable production hours that were previously lost to downtime. And because these membranes are direct replacements, they drop into existing systems with no modification required.
When we asked food, dairy, and biotech processors where they lose the most uptime, two-thirds pointed to excessive membrane fouling. That reality underpins the design of every Evolution element – delivering the stable flux and easy cleaning that conventional membranes can’t match.
By combining true anti-fouling performance with fast recovery and seamless system compatibility, Evolution membranes eliminate the compromises DSP operators have come to expect. Plants can run longer, clean less, and operate with greater certainty, turning membrane performance into a measurable competitive advantage.
For more information or to discuss how ZwitterCo Evolution membranes can enhance your food and dairy processing operations, contact ZwitterCo here.