In this study an ion exchange resin-based downstream-processing approach for imine reductase (IRED)-catalyzed reactions was investigated. As a model reaction, 2 methylpyrroline was converted to its corresponding product (S)-2-methylpyrrolodine with >99% of conversion by the (S)-selective IRED from Paenibacillus elgii B69. Under optimized reaction conditions full conversion was achieved using a substrate concentration of 150 mmol·L-1 and 500 mmol·L-1 of D-glucose. Seven commercially available cation and anion exchange resins were studied with respect to their ability to recover the product from the reaction solution. Without any pre-treatment, cation exchange resins Amberlite IR-120(H), IRN-150, Dowex Monosphere 650C and Dowex Marathon MSC showed high capacities (up to >90%). A 150 mL-preparative-scale reaction was performed yielding ca. 1 g product with >99% purity. Any further purification steps, e.g. by column chromatography or recrystallization, were not required.