离子交换技术有相当长的历史，某些天然物质如泡沸石和用煤经过磺化制得的磺化煤都可用作离子交换剂。但是，随着现代有机合成工业技术的迅速发展，研究制成了许多种性能优良的离子交换树脂，并开发了多种新的应用方法，离子交换技术迅速发展，在许多行业特别是高新科技产业和科研领域中广泛应用。近年国内外生产的树脂品种达数百种，年产量数十万吨。
Ion exchange technology has a long history. Some natural substances such as zeolite and sulfonated coal from coal can be used as ion exchange agent. However, with the rapid development of modern organic synthesis technology, many kinds of ion exchange resins with excellent properties have been studied and manufactured, and many new application methods have been developed. Ion exchange technology has developed rapidly and has been widely used in many industries, especially in high-tech industries and scientific research fields. In recent years, hundreds of resin varieties have been produced at home and abroad, with an annual output of hundreds of thousands of tons.