Boosting membrane innovation at VITO with POROLUX™ Revo and MemCast™
As a top European research centre, VITO and its 1,300 employees turn scientific insights into ground-breaking technological innovations, AI solutions and policy advice. We support companies, governments, and society in their sustainability transition thanks to our multidisciplinary approach and unique lab, scale-up, and testing infrastructure,
Within VITO, the MESCH-team (Membrane Enhanced Separation & Conversion Hub) focuses on the development of novel membrane materials, geometries, and modules for enhanced separation and conversion applications. With over three decades of experience in polymer shaping and membrane process engineering, the MESCH-team serves as a key player in European and Worldwide membrane innovation.
Their research spans the full development chain, from polymer synthesis and casting to module design, targeting water purification, selective recovery of resources, (bio)process intensification and energy reduction. A strong emphasis lies on practical translation through scale-up from lab to pilot testing and industrial collaboration.
VITO Headquarters, Mol, Belgium
Advanced characterization and process control in membrane development
POROLUX™ systems: Increasing analytical capacity and research continuity
To support its membrane innovation pipeline, the MESCH-team first acquired a POROLUX™ 1000 in 2012. The instrument has since become a core tool for pore size distribution, bubble point and gas-flow analysis, supporting dozens of internal and external R&D projects. These precise characterisations enabled VITO to finetune membrane morphologies and supported several new product developments and collaborative contracts.
In response to expanding activities and the need for analytical redundancy during maintenance cycles, VITO invested in a POROLUX™ Revo in early 2025. This second unit not only increases capacity but also ensures operational continuity across projects and teams.
MEMCAST™: Empowering flexible and efficient lab-scale casting
In addition to characterisation, VITO also modernised its lab-scale casting workflow. As a complement to its existing precision pilot casting line, the team integrated MemCast™, a user-friendly lab-scale casting device also provided by Aptco Technologies. Both Porometer and MemCast are brands of Aptco Technologies - a manufacturer of measurement instruments and testing equipment for academic and industrial quality control and research labs.
The MemCast™ replaces an outdated setup and supports early-stage membrane synthesis with increased process control, ease of use, and flexibility. This allows VITO to rapidly prototype and iterate in small batches before scaling up, reducing material waste and optimising formulation efficiency.
Members of the VITO Membrane Development team in the analytical laboratory.
State-of-the-art research environment in the earth-building
As a leading research organisation for sustainable development, VITO is expanding its footprint and infrastructure with this state-of-the-art lab and pilot facility, designed to accelerate the development of next-generation sustainable technologies for the factories of tomorrow.
Commissioned in mid-2025, the Earth- building offers flexible laboratories, pilot halls, and demo areas that enable seamless scale-up, from lab-scale synthesis to industrially relevant conditions. The facility embodies VITO’s mission to integrate circularity, efficiency, and technological innovation, and fosters strong collaboration between research teams and external industrial partners.
With this advanced research environment, VITO and the MESCH team benefit from a renewed, state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure that fosters innovation in membrane development. Advanced equipment, such as the POROLUX™ instruments and the MemCast™ casting device, contribute meaningfully to this upgraded ecosystem, enabling the team to drive technological progress and develop practical solutions for a sustainable future.
Earth-building, VITO Sustainability Park, Mol, Belgium
Conclusion
The collaboration with Aptco Technologies has helped VITO to enhance the robustness, scalability, and repeatability of its membrane development process, from casting to characterisation. With instruments like the POROLUX™ Revo and MemCast™, the team is better equipped to deliver high-performance membranes tailored to today’s environmental and industrial challenges.
