Cobalt has been extracted from dilute sulfate solution by supported liquid membrane (SLM) and solvent extraction (SX). The flux values in SLM process and distribution coefficients in SX have been compared. The microporous hydrophobic PVDF film has been used as the solid support for the liquid membrane. The Cyanex 272 has been used as extractant and mobile carrier in SX and SLM, respectively. Sulfuric acid was used as a stripping agent. In both the process effect of different parameters such as pH of feed solution, Cyanex 272 concentration, cobalt ion concentration in feed phase, strip acid concentration on cobalt flux J(Co(II)) and distribution coefficient D-sx of cobalt has been investigated. Complete removal of cobalt from dilute sulphate solution at pH of 6.00, using 750 mol/m(3) of Cyanex 272 and strip acid concentration of 25 mol/m(3) has been achieved by SLM process. At the optimum condition of both the studies the flux value of 63.79 x 10(-6) mol/m(2) s. and distribution coefficient of 1136 has been achieved for SLM and SX process, respectively. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.