Before 1990, cellulose acetate was used as a membrane material, but it was replaced by a polyamide compound because it had superior salt removal and lower energy costs. Due to its ability to remove dissolved ions in a solution without phase inversion, it is used to remove salt from water and TDS.

 It is used to convert seawater into fresh water, produce ultrapure water for washing electronic parts and for medical and pharmaceutical purposes, in the food and beverage industries, and for recycling wastewater and sewage.