THE NEXT EOLUTION IN WATER AND MINERAL RECOVERY
OVERVIEW
NEXT Membranes is pioneering the next
generation of ultra-high-pressure
reverse osmosis (UHPRO) membranes to
transform how industries manage water
and extract valuable resources. At the
convergence of water scarcity and
growing global demand for critical
minerals, our technology provides a
breakthrough solution that enables both
clean water production and mineral
recovery from the same membrane system.
Developed in partnership with co-founder
and co-inventor Dr. Eric Hoek at UCLA's
Samueli School of Engineering, our
patented membrane platform uses a
three-layer structure with a unique
resin-based coating. This structure
withstands ultra-high pressures, allowing
operators to push filtration further than
traditional reverse osmosis systems.
Whether targeting desalination or brine
concentration for rare earth element
(REE) recovery, NEXT Membranes delivers
double the performance at half the
energy.
OUR
TECHNOLOGY
ADDRESSES TWO
URGENT GLOBAL
NEEDS:
The challenge we address is urgent and
growing.
Lithium demand alone is projected to
grow fivefold by 2035, driven by electric
vehicle (EV) adoption and global energy
transition goals.
At the same time, desalination and water
reuse are becoming essential in water-
scarce regions. Conventional RO
membranes are not equipped to handle
the higher salinity, fouling, and pressure
requirements of these modern demands.
NEXT Membranes offers a new standard
for membrane durability, efficiency,
and versatility.
Our dual-market focus allows us to
create significant commercial impact. On
one side, we’re solving real pain points
for lithium and mineral producers who
need more efficient, higher-recovery
brine concentration systems. On the
other, we offer water utilities and
government agencies a new tool to
extend water supply and reduce waste
byproduct volumes. In many cases, NEXT
Membranes can do both simultaneously—
making desalination more energy-
efficient while recovering valuable
minerals from the concentrate stream.
MEET THE TEAM
TEAM
Pat O’Brien: Co-Founder & CEO (Right)
Dr. Eric Hoek: Co-Founder, Inventor, CTO, & Professor (Center)
Hikaru (Harry) Watanabe: Co-founder & CCO(Left)
OVERVIEW
NEXT Membranes is pioneering the next
generation of ultra-high-pressure
reverse osmosis (UHPRO) membranes to
transform how industries manage water
and extract valuable resources. At the
convergence of water scarcity and
growing global demand for critical
minerals, our technology provides a
breakthrough solution that enables both
clean water production and mineral
recovery from the same membrane system.
Developed in partnership with co-founder
and co-inventor Dr. Eric Hoek at UCLA's
Samueli School of Engineering, our
patented membrane platform uses a
three-layer structure with a unique
resin-based coating. This structure
withstands ultra-high pressures, allowing
operators to push filtration further than
traditional reverse osmosis systems.
Whether targeting desalination or brine
concentration for rare earth element
(REE) recovery, NEXT Membranes delivers
double the performance at half the
energy.
OUR
TECHNOLOGY
ADDRESSES TWO
URGENT GLOBAL
NEEDS:
The challenge we address is urgent and
growing.
Lithium demand alone is projected to
grow fivefold by 2035, driven by electric
vehicle (EV) adoption and global energy
transition goals.
At the same time, desalination and water
reuse are becoming essential in water-
scarce regions. Conventional RO
membranes are not equipped to handle
the higher salinity, fouling, and pressure
requirements of these modern demands.
NEXT Membranes offers a new standard
for membrane durability, efficiency,
and versatility.
Our dual-market focus allows us to
create significant commercial impact. On
one side, we’re solving real pain points
for lithium and mineral producers who
need more efficient, higher-recovery
brine concentration systems. On the
other, we offer water utilities and
government agencies a new tool to
extend water supply and reduce waste
byproduct volumes. In many cases, NEXT
Membranes can do both simultaneously—
making desalination more energy-
efficient while recovering valuable
minerals from the concentrate stream.
MEET THE TEAM
TEAM
Pat O’Brien: Co-Founder & CEO (Right)
Dr. Eric Hoek: Co-Founder, Inventor, CTO, & Professor (Center)
Hikaru (Harry) Watanabe: Co-founder & CCO(Left)
