Clean water might soon take a microscopic leap forward. Following the completion of the European Union’s Convert2Green initiative, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP have unveiled a carbon nanomembrane (CNM) filtration system that outpaces usual reverse osmosis technology.It filters water at five times the efficiency of existing industry standards. It slashes energy costs and integrates smoothly into existing manufacturing lines. Lower operational pressures enable lighter pump infrastructure, directly reducing industrial energy expenditures and equipment costs.The nanometer shieldMost reverse osmosis systems rely on dense polymer membranes that require high hydraulic pressure and significant electrical energy to drive water flow. The development centers on carbon nanomembrane (CNM) polymer layers designed to a thickness of just a few nanometers. The ultra-thin polymer layer was engineered in partnership with startup CNM Technologies GmbH.Carbon nanomembranes are single-molecule-thick, two-dimensional carbon networks that create tight molecular barriers. Conventional polyamide reverse osmosis membranes are relatively dense and thick, whereas these novel structures feature sub-nanometer pores. Water molecules move through these pores with minimal friction. Meanwhile, dissolved salt ions, complex organic compounds, and micro-contaminants are caught dead in their tracks.In head-to-head laboratory testing, the CNM composite achieved a fivefold improvement in salt rejection over reverse osmosis setups while maintaining comparable fluid flow. For energy-heavy industrial purification plants, that means lower operating pressures, smaller footprints, and major power savings.Beyond water: Food, energy, and sensorsConventional polymer membranes suffer performance degradation from biofouling and mineral scaling, which requires frequent chemical cleaning. Cross-linked carbon nanomembranes feature ultra-smooth surfaces and robust chemical resilience that extend operational lifespan. Highly cross-linked structures also resist degradation from solvents and harsh cleaning agents far better than standard polyamide layers.As per the researchers, the technology’s potential extends past water purification to the treatment of sensitive liquids.In food and beverage processing, concentrating liquids usually means boiling them down. Heat destroys delicate flavors and ruins vital proteins. Using forward osmosis with CNM filters lets manufacturers gently extract water at ambient temperatures. Beverage concentrates become cheaper to ship without sacrificing taste.Beyond food, the Fraunhofer team integrated nanoscale metal layers directly onto the polymer film. This variation opens up ultra-thin metal foils (only tens of nanometers thick) for next-generation miniaturized sensors, optical devices, and clean-energy hardware. “What is crucial here is not only the technological result itself, but also the fact that we have established structures within the project that will enable future innovations to be transferred more rapidly into market-ready applications,” said Dr. Matthias Fahland, project manager at Fraunhofer FEP. Lab developments frequently struggle to transition to full-scale manufacturing. Fraunhofer FEP overcame this common challenge by demonstrating the complete production sequence within a high-speed, continuous roll-to-roll system. The process integrates every step, from molecular layer deposition to electron-beam curing.The Convert2Green Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) will continue providing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with direct access to pilot lines, testing facilities, and digital support hubs. The partnership network plans to anchor its next series of industrial rollouts during the Pro Flex 2027 conference in Dresden.