As processors aim to extend membrane life, reduce downtime and lower resource consumption, optimized cleaning and sanitation practices are receiving strong attention across food and beverage operations. At the 2026 Membrane Technology Forum, the cleaning and sanitation breakout track will examine how processors can improve membrane performance through advances in cleaning chemistry, sanitation technologies and data-driven optimization.

Fouling, biofilm formation and inefficient cleaning protocols can reduce throughput, increase resource consumption and negatively impact overall system performance.

The cleaning and sanitation track will feature five presentations exploring strategies to address these challenges through improvements in membrane cleaning and sanitation practices. Sessions will examine the use of surfactants and lipase enzymes in dairy membrane cleaning, advanced chemistry solutions designed to restore flux and extend membrane life, and emerging approaches to biofilm control through cold enzymatic cleaning technologies.

Additional presentations will explore sanitation technologies that support water reuse and reduced chemical consumption, as well as data-driven tools that provide greater visibility into clean-in-place (CIP) performance. Together, the sessions highlight how processors can improve cleaning effectiveness while reducing water, energy and chemical use across operations.

The track will also examine how cleaning and sanitation strategies support operating goals including membrane longevity, system reliability, sustainability initiatives and total cost of ownership. Case studies and examples of commercial applications will provide attendees with practical insights into maintaining membrane performance in demanding processing environments.

The cleaning and sanitation track includes the following sessions:

• Dairy Membrane Cleaning Using Surfactants and Lipase Enzymes by Leighton Butler, membrane specialist, IXOM
• Accelerating Membrane Recovery: Advanced Chemistry Solutions for Operational Efficiency in Dairy Processing by AJ Bogan, director of technical services, PURE Bioscience
• Biofilm Control and Cold Enzymatic Cleaning: Shaping the Future of Sustainable Membrane Filtration by Derek Pitman, consultant, Realco
• Chemical Elimination and Water Reuse for Sustainable Dairy Processing by Kyle Jenson, VP growth and innovation, BIOIONIX
• Optimized Membrane Cleaning Through Data‑Driven Insight – How Nova Insight Creates Value by Ronni Rasmussen, application specialist, membranes and CIP, Novadan ApS

About the Membrane Technology Forum

The annual Membrane Technology Forum, hosted by Dairy Foods magazine and the American Dairy Products Institute, is the premier live event in the commercial membrane and membrane technology sector. This event covers key concepts and innovations for the sector, from the fundamentals of membrane technology, fouling and cleaning, to emerging technologies and applications with real-world case studies that highlight challenges, proposed solutions and results. 

The Membrane Technology Forum serves processors, plant managers, engineers, chemists, equipment manufacturers, research and development, sales and marketing specialists, technicians and other industry professionals.

The program features a series of two dedicated educational tracks, each with short, informative technical sessions covering current topics and emerging trends. Attendees will gain fresh ideas, trusted data and proactive solutions to help their companies evolve with changing trends in membrane technology.

The Membrane Technology Forum also features a select group of innovative and forward-thinking suppliers on hand to demonstrate their new technologies and products designed to improve processing operations.

The 2026 Forum will take place June 15–17 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington – Minneapolis South in Minneapolis, Minn.

Learn more and register at dairyfoods.com/membrane-forum