Osmonics Inc. and Cargill Inc., Minnetonka, Minn., have joined together to find out if membrane
systems can be as successful in harsh, solvent-based environments as they are in water-based
processes.The two companies will investigate under a five-year, $3.75 million grant from the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Advanced Technology Program.This joint
venture creates tremendous opportunities for our companies today and will benefit entire industries
in the future, said David Paulson, Osmonics director of Corporate Research and Development.Cargill
offers extensive expertise in commercial food and fertilizer processing, while Osmonics brings
high-tech separations product design and engineering skills. Together, we will develop innovative
and cost-effective membrane solutions for widespread industrial solvent applications.According to
the companies, once commercialized, the new polymeric membranes and systems should help U.S.
companies save tens of millions of dollars in energy costs annually, because membranes typically
require less than 10 percent of the energy used in distillation. They will also reduce costs
associated with controlling airborne and wastewater emissions.Cargill will provide a full-time
program manager and will act as administrator of the grant. Osmonics will focus on membrane
products and systems technology and collaborate with Cargill on applying membrane to processing
applications.A research group at the University of Kentucky will assist with transport and
separation modeling, and the University of Minnesota Center for Interfacing Engineering will
provide analytical expertise.
February 1999
