The NEXT Evolution in Water and Mineral Recovery
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What we do
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.
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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.
NEXT Membranes is developing next-generation reverse osmosis (RO) membranes capable of operating up to 120 bar without loss of water flux or salt rejection.NEXT’s TFX (TM) RO membrane technology was developed at UCLA to outperform the competition at ultra-high feed pressure and temperature.
Problem:
Lithium and other critical minerals are trapped in hard-to process brine water
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97% of Earth's water is undrinkable, and desalination remains costly and ineffecient
'State-of-the-art' water filters are crippled by compaction cuased by heat and pressure
Inefficient filters drive up energy demand, compounding costs, leaving behind value
Water processing plants fail to maintain rated output
Solution:
Compaction-resistant ultrahigh-pressure RO membranes built for extreme conditions
Technology:
<5% compaction losses at pressures up to 120 bar (1800psi) and stable up to 200 bar>99% rejection at 180,000 mg/LPatent-pending NEXT TFX membranes tolerate up to 85°C (185°F)Developed at UCLA by Dr. Eric Hoek, a global leader in membrane and water tech7X founder, 30+ patents, 170+ publications, and 25+ years experience
Compaction Loss at 120 bar
Meet the team
Team
Pat O’Brien, MBA: U.S. Veteran, Co-Founder, and Commercial director (Right)
Eric M.V. Hoek, Ph.D.: Inventor, Co-Founder, Technical director (Center)
Hikaru (Harry) Watanabe, MBA: Commodities expert, Co-founder, Operations director (Left)
