FilmTec (DuPont) and Hydranautics (Nitto) are the two dominant RO membrane manufacturers globally. FilmTec sets the industry benchmark for tap and brackish water with the SW30/BW30/XLE families. Hydranautics excels in high-salinity Gulf and Red Sea waters with the SWC and ESPA families. FilmTec typically offers slightly higher salt rejection (99.7-99.85% vs 99.65-99.8%) at slightly lower applied pressure. This translates to ~5% lower energy cost in standard seawater. Hydranautics typically offers better fouling resistance and longer life in challenging waters. The SWC5 and SWC6 are widely deployed in the Persian Gulf where TDS exceeds 45,000 ppm and average lifespan often exceeds 4-5 years vs 3-4 for competing membranes. List prices are typically within 5-10% of each other for equivalent specs. ForeverPure stocks both lines with same-week dispatch. Counterfeit FilmTec membranes are common globally — buy only from authorized distributors. For standard 35,000 ppm seawater, both FilmTec SW30 and Hydranautics SWC perform within 5% of each other. For Gulf/Red Sea high-salinity (45,000+ ppm), Hydranautics SWC5/SWC6 typically delivers longer service life. Same physical dimensions (4040, 8040 standards) but membrane chemistry differs. Don't mix brands within a single pressure vessel — feed flow and pressure tuning differs by ~5%. Standard 4040 membranes range $250-$700 each depending on series. 8040 (industrial) ranges $700-$1,800. Quote varies with quantity and specifications. Request a quote. Send us your feed water analysis and target permeate output — our engineers will recommend FilmTec or Hydranautics and provide a quote. Request a Quote Related guides: FilmTec Catalog · All RO Membranes · Desalination Buyer's GuideFilmTec vs Hydranautics: Which RO Membrane Brand Should You Choose?
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Feed Water Best Choice Standard seawater (35,000 ppm) Either; FilmTec slight edge on energy High-salinity Gulf (45,000+ ppm) Hydranautics SWC Brackish well water (1,000-10,000 ppm) FilmTec BW30 Low-energy applications FilmTec XLE High organic / high SDI Hydranautics SWC5/SWC6 Tap water RO under-sink FilmTec TW30 Series Comparison
Application FilmTec Hydranautics Seawater (high pressure) SW30, SW30HRLE, SW30XLE SWC4, SWC5, SWC6 Brackish water BW30, BW30LE, BW30HR ESPA1, ESPA2, ESPA4 Low-energy brackish XLE, LCLE ESPA3 Tap water (residential) TW30 (not active in this segment) Nanofiltration NF270, NF90 ESNA1 Performance Trade-offs
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