Could DuPont Secure Sustainable Water Supply Chains?

DuPont is moving to expand its supply chain for reverse osmosis technologies with a planned acquisition of Sinochem, a specialist in membrane manufacturing.

The agreement, signed and set to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, will give DuPont access to a local production base in Zhejiang Province, China, enhancing its reach across the Asia-Pacific region.

The move adds a third manufacturing site to DuPont’s reverse osmosis (RO) portfolio, complementing existing operations in Edina, Minnesota and Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

DuPont says the acquisition positions it to supply FilmTec water purification elements more efficiently to customers in China and across the region.

"This acquisition aligns with our strategy to enhance our global manufacturing capabilities for FilmTec RO elements and better serve our customers in China and the Asia Pacific region," explains Jeroen Bloemhard, President of DuPont's Healthcare & Water Technologies segment.

"With an expanded global manufacturing footprint, DuPont remains dedicated to providing solutions that purify and reclaim water sources, particularly in regions facing water scarcity and resource challenges."

Local production to strengthen supply chain resilience

DuPont highlights that the addition of Sinochem supports its broader supply chain strategy to localise manufacturing closer to end markets.

By producing FilmTec RO elements in China, DuPont says it can better meet regional demand, shorten delivery lead-times and respond more effectively to shifting market dynamics and regulations. This approach also improves logistics reliability and strengthens the company’s ability to manage supply chain risk.

The Zhejiang-based facilities are already qualified to produce and supply FilmTec elements to both China and other Asia-Pacific markets.

The Asia-Pacific region is seeing increased demand for advanced water treatment solutions. Industrial facilities, municipal authorities and food and beverage producers are all looking for reliable technologies to support water reuse, demineralisation and desalination.

With the move, DuPont is positioning itself to serve those needs through a streamlined, regionalised supply chain.

RO technology demand grows

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a pressure-driven process used to remove salts, minerals and other dissolved solids from water. It is widely used to treat water for industrial and municipal use.

RO plays a role in a range of applications, including power generation, food production and clean water supply for growing populations.

FilmTec is DuPont’s flagship RO brand, known for high-efficiency membrane performance. With this acquisition, DuPont aims to bring FilmTec elements to customers faster and more reliably by removing international shipping as a barrier to supply.

DuPont Water Solutions’ technologies already help purify more than 50 million gallons of water every minute across 112 countries.

The company says its membrane and resin portfolio supports water treatment challenges in a variety of sectors. These include municipal plants, desalination facilities, and industrial users such as the microelectronics industry.

DuPont also continues to focus on innovation in areas where water and energy demands intersect. Its water technologies contribute to energy-related markets, including the supply of lithium and green hydrogen and help maximise electricity availability.

The addition of the Sinochem production site supports this approach by enabling faster and more localised response to the evolving water-energy balance in key regions.

As water scarcity and industrial demand for reuse continue to rise, this model positions DuPont to serve its customers not just more efficiently, but also more sustainably.