Drinking Seawater Through Smart Membranes: Seawater Reverse Osmosis
- Post by Blog Editor
- 18 July 2024
Coastal communities and island populations often face a shortage of fresh water for daily consumption. The limited local freshwater supply cannot meet the demand, forcing communities to purchase water from outside sources—an option that comes with high transportation costs.
To solve this challenge, Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) technology has been developed. Using advanced membranes from LG Chem, seawater can now be efficiently converted into clean, drinkable water.

The process of turning seawater into potable water is called desalination. It removes salt from seawater using Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology.
In this process, seawater is forced through a highly precise membrane filter with pores as small as 0.0001 microns. The membrane effectively removes oxygen, dissolved salts, impurities, and harmful microorganisms—leaving behind pure fresh water.
Typically, the desalination system extracts around 40% purified water from seawater, while the remaining 60% brine is discharged back into the ocean. To minimize environmental impact, the system must be properly designed and managed.
The LG Chem SWRO membrane is built with Thin-Film Nanocomposite (TFN) technology, a breakthrough innovation that delivers 20% higher salt rejection compared to conventional membranes.
With a proven track record of over 3 billion liters of seawater filtered daily worldwide, LG Chem’s membranes have consistently lowered desalination costs while ensuring higher water quality.

Energy Savings with Nano H₂O Technology
The membrane incorporates nanoparticles in the polyamide active layer, reducing feed pressure resistance. This lowers machine energy consumption and results in reduced production costs.
Antimicrobial Properties for Longer Lifespan
Thanks to its nanocomposite structure, the membrane surface prevents microbial growth and biofilm formation. This antimicrobial feature extends the membrane’s operational life.
Yes. Water produced from SWRO systems must comply with strict drinking water standards, making it safe to consume.
However, since the process removes all ions and minerals, the result is pure deionized water (DI Water)—containing only water molecules with no trace minerals.
To make it more balanced and suitable for long-term consumption, trace minerals should be added back by blending the water with surface water or mineral additives before drinking.
Your Trusted Distributor in Thailand
Dominic (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is the official distributor of LG Chem SWRO membranes in Thailand. Designed for seawater desalination, these innovative membranes provide reliable fresh water for consumption.
Our expert engineering team offers consultation, system design, and professional installation services, ensuring that every system operates at maximum efficiency and delivers safe, high-quality water for your community or business.