Brine concentration technology is gaining further attention in industrial water treatment after Aquatech acquired FTS H2O, a US-based specialist in membrane-driven brine concentration and resource recovery.
Brine concentration technology added to Aquatech portfolio
The acquisition expands Aquatech’s capabilities in treating highly concentrated wastewater and brine streams. These applications include lithium processing, produced water recycling, seawater brine mining and industrial zero liquid discharge systems.
FTS H2O is based in Oregon and develops membrane-based technologies for industrial wastewater, mining, oil and gas, power generation and desalination applications. Its Oregon headquarters will become Aquatech’s global centre of excellence for membrane-driven brine concentration and resource recovery.
Focus on resource recovery and zero liquid discharge
Industrial users are under increasing pressure to reduce wastewater volumes, recover useful materials and improve water reuse. As a result, zero liquid discharge and high-recovery treatment systems are becoming more important across water-intensive industries.
The deal adds FTS H2O technologies including osmotically assisted reverse osmosis, forward osmosis and membrane brine crystallisation to Aquatech’s treatment portfolio. These processes are used to concentrate brines and support the recovery of water, salts and critical materials.
Applications in lithium and critical minerals processing
Brine concentration technology is particularly relevant to lithium and critical minerals processing, where water management is closely linked to production efficiency and environmental performance. Aquatech already provides technologies for lithium extraction, refining and brine mining.
The acquisition also strengthens Aquatech’s position in industrial sectors including chemicals, semiconductors, produced water and power generation, where concentrated waste streams require specialised treatment.
Technology integration and industrial water demand
FTS H2O’s technology will be offered as part of Aquatech’s wider treatment systems and as licensed, pre-engineered modular units. This approach reflects growing demand for flexible industrial water treatment systems that can be adapted to different sites and feedwater conditions.
Ravi Chidambaran, President and CTO at Aquatech, said the acquisition would support high-recovery brine concentration and resource recovery at scale. Keith Lampi, Managing Director at FTS H2O, said the companies would continue work on membrane brine concentration, forward osmosis and membrane crystallisation technologies.
