Kubota's submerged membrane units incorporate microporous membranes (nominal pore size 0.4 μm) made from chlorinated polyethylene. Capable of delivering high-purity treated water, these compact systems are employed in diverse applications, including wastewater treatment tanks (Johkaso) as well as treatment of industrial wastewater, community wastewater and sewage. The membrane separation systems remove not only suspended solids, but also enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, enabling direct reuse of treated water. Ease of maintenance is another major advantage; treatment facilities can be managed by a small staff. In 1998, Kubota advanced into markets outside Japan by delivering a system to a sewage treatment facility in the UK. Kubota went on to promote sales of submerged membrane systems to sewage and industrial wastewater treatment facilities, primarily in Europe and North America; Kubota entered the Chinese market in 2009. A submerged membrane system-based demonstration plant has been set up at the largest treatment facility in China. Kubota will work actively to market the systems in other countries and regions, including India and Southeast Asia. Thus far, Kubota has delivered its systems in about 600 projects outside Japan. In fact, Kubota is the world's number 1 in terms of membrane separation systems installed, and world's number 2 in volume of water treated using its systems.
