In October 2017, WaterWorld reported on new figures published by the International Desalination Association (IDA) and GWI. Membrane processes made up about 2.2 million m³/day, or 95.6%, of the desalination capacity contracted in 2017, against only 0.1 million m³/day for thermal processes. The market grew for a fourth year running, and total contracted capacity rose by 14% within a year. The data counted 19,372 plants worldwide, up from 18,983 a year earlier. Brackish water capacity contracted between January and June 2017 climbed 29%.
The report showed that membrane processes had all but displaced thermal technology in new desalination contracts at the time, while the market as a whole was growing again.
Source: WaterWorld