Recently,the EIMD-HP hot-water sanitizable electrodeionization(EDI)module,developed and manufactured by Aquacells Membrane Technologies Co.,Ltd.(Aquacells),has attracted considerable attention in the pharmaceutical ultrapure water sector,both in China and internationally.The module maintained stable performance after 150 high-temperature pasteurization cycles and generated strong interest at Aquatech Amsterdam in March and the China International Pharmaceutical Machinery Exposition in April.This achievement marks a significant advance in China’s high-temperature sanitizable ultrapure water technology,helping reduce reliance on imported solutions and providing a domestically developed alternative for industries with stringent water-quality requirements,including biopharmaceuticals and semiconductors.

“Critical core technologies cannot simply be obtained or purchased."Ultrapure water is essential to high-end industries such as semiconductor manufacturing and biopharmaceuticals and is often described as their“industrial lifeblood."Yet ion-exchange membranes,one of its core materials,have long depended on imports in China.Domestic companies have therefore faced both high costs and supply-chain risks.Since its establishment in 2022,Aquacells has focused on developing the technologies needed to overcome the barriers associated with imported equipment.

The company assembled an R&D team led by former Siemens Water Technologies specialists and worked closely with international experts.Drawing on more than 30 years of technical experience in ultrapure water treatment,the team developed a proprietary ion-exchange membrane for which Aquacells owns the full intellectual property rights.The membrane has an ion transport number of nearly 95%and an area resistance below 10Ω·cm².It also offers high-temperature resistance,strong acid and alkali resistance,oxidation resistance,and high mechanical strength,with overall performance comparable to leading international products.

The EIMD-HP hot-water sanitizable EDI module is built on this membrane technology.It supports pharmaceutical-grade pasteurization at 85°C,meets the industry’s stringent sanitization requirements,and helps reduce China’s long-standing reliance on overseas technology in this field.In one pharmaceutical project,the introduction of EIMD-HP improved production-line efficiency while significantly lowering maintenance costs.The result demonstrates that Aquacells’ultrapure water EDI technology can compete with imported products.

With key technical barriers overcome,Aquacells has expanded into a wider range of applications.As a core process in ultrapure water production,EDI is essential to advanced manufacturing and scientific research and is widely used in the semiconductor,biopharmaceutical,laboratory,power-generation,and chemical industries.Based on a detailed understanding of industry-specific requirements and continued advances in ion-exchange membrane technology,Aquacells has developed a multi-series portfolio comprising five product lines across six core application areas.

The EIMD-HP module meets the pharmaceutical industry’s requirement for pasteurization at 85°C,and its key components comply with applicable FDA requirements.The EIMD-CP module can operate continuously at 65°C and replace mixed-bed treatment in condensate polishing,addressing a long-standing market gap.Designed specifically for high-purity water in semiconductor manufacturing,the EIMD-DI module meets stringent silicon and boron removal requirements.The EIMD-Lab series accommodates a range of laboratory flow-rate and water-quality needs,while The EIMD‑SP module removes the requirement for one reverse-osmosis stage,enabling enterprises to cut energy consumption,reduce operating costs and meet environmental compliance standards.

From pharmaceutical sanitization and semiconductor impurity removal to precision laboratory applications and industrial energy savings,Aquacells’product portfolio is driven by technological innovation and targeted at specific industry needs.The company will continue to develop application-focused innovations and deliver higher-value solutions to customers worldwide.

Aquacells’ambitions extend beyond domestic import substitution.By combining advanced membrane technology,patented flow-path configurations,and oxidation-resistant media,its technical team has addressed challenges such as module leakage and anode corrosion that have affected some international products.Supported by continued innovation and a growing patent portfolio,Aquacells is gaining recognition in international markets and moving from technology adoption toward original development.

Within three years,Aquacells was recognized as a National High-Tech Enterprise,achieved ISO 9001 quality management system certification,and was named one of Hubei Province’s Specialized and Innovative SMEs.The company holds more than 20 patents.Its products comply with applicable FDA requirements and have obtained CE marking as well as RoHS and REACH compliance,providing formal recognition of the company’s technical and quality capabilities.

While continuing to strengthen its domestic business,Aquacells is steadily expanding overseas and serving advanced industries worldwide,including semiconductors,biopharmaceuticals,energy,and chemicals.With high efficiency and a long service life,Aquacells products have become a dependable option in the ultrapure water equipment market.Each incremental improvement also contributes to the global competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing.

Innovation is an ongoing process.From closing technology gaps and reaching international standards to expanding from the domestic market to customers worldwide,Aquacells has pursued steady progress through in-house R&D.By continuing to improve product quality and technical performance,the company aims to make intelligent manufacturing from China a preferred choice for global customers.This reflects both Aquacells’long-term strategy and the broader progress of China’s high-end equipment industry.