China National BlueStar (Group) Co., Ltd. and Japanese Toray Industries Inc. jointly broke ground for a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane project in Beijing on August 24th. It is the largest project of its kind in China.
Formed jointly by BlueStar, Toray Industries Inc. and Toray Industries (China) Co., Ltd., the joint venture, BlueStar-Toray Membrane Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (temporary name), will be committed to the production, marketing, R&D and technical solutions relating to water treatment membrane products. The JV will employ Toray Industries' proprietary manufacturing technologies to make world-class RO membranes and membrane elements, serving for saline water desalination, seawater desalination, antipollution and nano-filtration sectors.
With a total investment of RMB600 million, the project, due on stream in October 2010, will be capable of annually producing 6.18 million square meters of RO membranes and 130,000 pieces of RO membrane elements. The new company will become the largest RO membrane maker with the most advanced technologies and comprehensive product portfolio in China. The BlueStar-Toray JV will cater to seawater desalination, water purification and the wastewater recycling businesses in China, putting an end to the country's heavy dependence on imported high-end membrane separation products, which have found wide use in electric power, pharmaceutical, municipal infrastructure, food and beverage, petrochemical, metallurgy and electronic industries.
The manufacturing technology of RO membrane is one of the emerging high-end technologies for energy conservation and environmental protection around the globe, and is the best way to treat wastewater and meet industry sewage discharge indicators. The technology will play a significant role in relieving the world shortage of water and energy resources. (Zhang Li)