Membrane Technologies in Medical and Pharmacological Industries

Membrane technologies have become indispensable in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, offering innovative solutions for drug production, wastewater treatment, and resource recovery. This chapter explores the application of selected membrane technologies, namely nanofiltration (NF) and membrane bioreactors, in addressing the challenges posed by the production of medical and pharmaceutical compounds (MPCs) and the treatment of the impacted wastewater streams. Organic solvent NF offers energy-efficient, low-waste solutions that can be integrated into continuous processes, significantly reducing the environmental impact of MPCs. On the other hand, MBRs combine biological degradation with membrane separation to achieve high removal efficiencies of MPCs from wastewater. The integration of MBRs with upstream treatments or downstream NF/reverse osmosis units further enhances contaminant removal, ensuring compliance with stringent discharge regulations. This chapter presents case studies highlighting that membrane technologies offer scalable, efficient, and sustainable solutions for the challenges faced by the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Their ability to enhance production efficiency, reduce pollution, and recover valuable resources positions them as critical components in the pursuit of greener and more sustainable industrial and environmental practices.