a membrane has a permeate channel including a 3d spacer fabric having an upper and a lower fabric surface spaced apart by monofilament thread at a predefined distance , the permeate channel being interposed between two membrane layers , wherein the membrane layers are linked at a multitude of points with the upper and lower fabric surfaces to form an integral structure with a high bonding strength suitable for backflush operations . a method provides an integrated permeate channel membrane , including the steps of : — providing a 3d spacer fabric having an upper and lower surface fabric spaced apart by monofilament thread at a predefined distance ; and — applying a membrane layer to both the upper and the lower surface fabric .