Aerial view of circular clarifiers at a large-scale water treatment facility, designed to optimise the process of recycling and reclaiming clean water (Image: INEXA)
Partnership combines engineering expertise and membrane technology to enhance efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in water treatment.
INEXA Aqua Services SL, a consultancy specialising in desalination plant design and performance optimisation, has entered into an alliance with IonClear, a developer of reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes. The collaboration will focus on high-efficiency water treatment systems for desalination, reclamation, and reuse projects worldwide.
With more than two decades of operational and engineering experience, INEXA contributes expertise in plant design and optimisation, while IonClear brings advanced membrane technology. Together, they aim to deliver systems that produce more clean water with less energy, extend equipment lifespan, and reduce environmental impact. The solutions are designed to accommodate varying feedwater conditions, from seawater and brackish sources to industrial process streams.
Integrated capabilities
The partnership integrates INEXA’s ROPTIMAX process with IonClear’s membrane technology to support customised, performance-based system design.
“By uniting our strengths, we are not just improving large-scale desalination projects, we are redefining its economics and scalability,” said Fernando J. Suárez Pérez, chief executive officer of INEXA. “These water solutions are not only more efficient, but also more adaptable to the unique demands of each location and application.”
This integrated approach supports sustainable water management through recycling, reclamation, and reuse, enabling higher recovery rates and reduced waste streams, while moving towards zero liquid discharge.
Performance benefits
Data from early projects indicate a 15–20% reduction in energy use, the largest operating cost for plant owners. Membrane lifespan has increased by up to 40%, while unplanned outages have been significantly reduced, improving operational consistency.
“This alliance accelerates our vision of maximising water recovery and minimising waste,” said Cady Yu, chief executive officer of IonClear. “With integrated design, engineering, and production capabilities, we can offer a level of system optimisation few others can match.”
At scale, these gains translate into substantial annual savings for large facilities, alongside reduced environmental impacts and faster payback periods. IonClear also plans to introduce a web-based water treatment design tool in the third quarter of 2025 to support engineers and operators with planning and optimisation.
Market growth
Industry research estimates the global desalination market at $18.1 billion in 2025, with projected growth to $28 billion by 2030 at a compound annual rate of 9.1%. Beyond seawater desalination, the alliance’s technologies also apply to brackish water treatment, industrial process reuse, municipal recycling, and zero liquid discharge systems. These sectors form part of the $390 billion global water and wastewater treatment market, forecast to expand by 6–7% annually through 2033.
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