Must-Attend Conferences Driving Innovation in 2025
In today’s filtration industry, research and development are driving change in methods and materials, often prompted by societal stressors, such as increasing demands for clean natural resources, environmentally sustainable end solutions, as well as durability and cost considerations of filtration methods.
For these reasons, conference and exposition opportunities continue to thrive. They offer opportunities to bring scholars, researchers, developers, engineers, and heads of companies together to explore new ideas, products and services, and network amongst the finest teams leading global filtration efforts. Whether you’re a manufacturer, researcher, or end-user, these events offer something for everyone in the filtration ecosystem.
As the industry evolves and innovates, staying informed and connected is crucial for professionals seeking to remain at the forefront of their field. In 2025, a lineup of premier industry conferences offers unparalleled opportunities for learning, networking, and discovering cutting-edge technologies that will shape the future and forge new partnerships.
We have identified seven conferences that stand out as must-attend events in 2025:
- AHR Expo 2025 (February 10-12, Orlando, FL): This event showcases the latest in HVACR technology, including advanced filtration systems for air quality improvement.
- FILTREX 2025 (March 25-26, Vienna, Austria): A two-day conference and exhibition bringing together filtration experts and industry leaders, focusing on technological and sustainability innovations.
- FiltCon 2025 (April 1-3, Louisville, KY): Organized by the American Filtration and Separations Society (AFS), this conference offers extensive educational opportunities and fosters collaboration within the filtration community.
- INTERPHEX 25 (April 1-3, New York): While not exclusively focused on filtration, this event covers pharmaceutical and biotechnology innovations, including filtration technologies crucial to this industry.
- FiltXPO (April 29-May 1, Miami Beach, FL): North America’s largest filtration exhibition and conference, FiltXPO brings together professionals from around the world to exchange cutting-edge technologies and market intelligence.
- 14th World Filtration Congress (June 30-July 4, Bourdeaux, France): Held every three to four years, WFC serves as a meeting place for scientists, engineers, and applicators from all over the world, specialists in filtration and separative techniques, to discuss the latest advances in science and technology.
- WEFTEC 2025 (September 27-October 1, Chicago, IL): The 98thannual Water Environment Federation (WEF) Technical Exhibition and Conference is a place to learn about the latest innovations in water and wastewater treatment, see the latest technologies and solutions in action, and connect with water professionals worldwide.
What You Need to Know
AHR Expo 2025 (February 10-12, Orlando, FL)
The AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) is the world’s premier HVACR event, attracting the most comprehensive gathering of industry professionals from around the globe each year. It remains one of the industry’s best resources for OEMs, engineers, contractors, facility operators, architects, educators, and other industry professionals to explore the latest trends and applications and to cultivate mutually beneficial business relationships.
This year’s program will feature more than 250 sessions that include 230 free industry seminars, a robust panel series lineup, new product presentations and more.
This year, AHR is supported by an exposition with approximately 1870 exhibitors from all parts of the supply chain.
2025 Panel Series
- AI and Plumbing: How Smart Applications Can Lead to Smooth Waters Ahead
- Everything You Need to Know About the Refrigerant Transition and A2Ls
- 2025 State of the Industry: Today’s Market, Challenges, Opportunities & What’s Ahead
Educational Program
Sessions include tracks for Contractors, Distribution/Supply Chain, Engineers, For Credit Courses, and New Product Theaters. The show will feature sessions led by industry experts, ranging from 20 minutes in the product theaters, and one to two hours for classroom sessions.
Sessions to Note
For contractors, “The Digital Revolution in HVAC: AI, Automation, and the Future of Customer Service,” explores strategies to integrate ‘digital coworkers’ into your business, enhancing efficiency and customer service by reviewing real-world examples of AI improving customer journeys and operations.
Distribution/Supply Chain professionals can learn how to “Revolutionizing Your Business with OpenAI,” as well as “Repair, Replacement or Maintenance: Which Strategy Aligns Best with Consumer Behavior?” This explores how consumer behavior drives better HVAC marketing outcomes by focusing on repairs, rather than installations.
Engineers also will get education on AI, with “Advancing AI-Driven Microcontroller Solutions: Innovations and Applications.” Exploring hydrogen options, “Decarbonizing Commercial and Industrial Heating with Hydrogen,” that includes the current state of research for the California Energy Commission to define the upper practical limit of using H2 to decarbonize large commercial and industrial heating equipment currently using natural gas.
Find out more about the AHR Expo Education Program schedule at ahr25.mapyourshow.com.
FILTREX™ 2025 (March 25-26, Vienna, Austria)
As a leading global association serving the nonwovens and related industries, EDANA holds its annual two-day filtration conference and exhibition to assemble management and technical specialists from the producers of all types of filter media, as well as converters of media, raw material suppliers, measuring equipment manufacturers, laboratories, and research institutions. The program provides updates on market trends in the filtration industry, innovative filter materials, new developments in media design, air/liquid filtration, automotive filtration, testing, and standardization.
A tabletop exhibition occurs parallel with the conference, as well as multiple networking opportunities. The 4th edition of the FILTREX™ Innovation Award is also presented at the event, recognizing outstanding achievements in nonwoven-based filtration products.
Keynotes
The event will feature two renowned keynote speakers to note.
Dr.-Ing. Frank Möbius (right), Senior Innovation Advisor at UnternehmerTUM, and Former Head of Technology Management and Forecast at BMW Group, sharing insights on open innovation. He explores why Open Innovation is a crucial success factor for any kind of industry in these challenging times.
He brings examples from the automotive industry, like BMW Group, who introduced Open Innovation in their organization, as well as shares what are the 10 most important steps to enhance your innovative power in the future.
Dr. Pero Mićić (left), Founder and CEO of FutureManagementGroup AG, discusses eight strategies to future-proof your business in his keynote.
Key Sessions to Note
Trends and technologies: Marc Schmidt, Vice President Technologies Europe – AAF-Lufttechnik discusses a positive outlook for filter manufacturers; Thomas Heininger, Director Engineering Filtration Material – MANN+HUMMEL, discusses the importance of considering the processes from raw material to filter element in a holistic view. And, Anthony Lawson, Senior Filtration Specialist – Hengst, reviews how regulations are the driver of innovation in filtration.
Media innovation: Simone Cerminara, Product Development & TCS Manager Turin, Filtration – Ahlstrom, shares on the dual layer for extended lifetime and reduced size of air intake filters, and Günter Müller, Head of R&D – Sandler, explores use of specialty- and high-performance polymers for meltblown nonwovens.
Sustainability: Mood Ahmed, R&D Project Manager – Beaulieu Fibers International, talks about fibers that build futures – Innovative sustainable fiber solutions for filter media; Christopher Griffin, Director, Sustainability and Innovation – Johns Manville, reviews recycling and circular use of waste filters and filtration media; and, Umut Burak Dalbudak, Co-Founder – Texnova Tekstil speaks to the development of a biodegradable dust filter using biodegradable PET and BicoPET mono-material with sustainable needle punching production method.
PFAS: Björn Strelau, Director Global Product Management – Hollingsworth and Vose, shares about their HEPA filtration media with zero added PFAS for a cleaner world. Dorothea Slevogt, Senior Consulting Specialist – Schlegel und partner, explores navigating PFAS restrictions – including the expected roadmap for the PFAS restrictions in Europe, how PFAS restrictions change the filtration industry along the value chain, and the related market expectations and solutions. Josh Manasco, Director of Application and Business Development – Elmarco, speaks on electrospun membranes as green solutions.
Rounding out the event, Standards and Testing, and Media Innovation are topics of focused educational sessions. Additionally, roundtable discussions are led by key industry players who share thoughts and approaches to sustainability in filtration. After the presentations, the audience will break into groups to reflect on the topics from their own perspectives.
A highlight of EDANA events, peer networking amongst attendees is facilitated at a gathering at the elegant Kunst-historisches Museum’s renowned Picture Gallery in Vienna, which houses
one of the most outstanding collections of European art – featuring masterpieces by iconic artists such as Titian, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Brueghel, and Velázquez.
In conjunction with the conference, a tabletop exhibition will showcase cutting-edge products and services, providing delegates with valuable networking opportunities.
Find out more or register at www.edana.org/events/filtrex/filtrex-europe.
FiltCon 2025 (April 1-3, Louisville, KY)
The annual gathering of the American Filtration and Separations Society (AFS) brings the scientific community’s most recent findings to light, along with a exposition to support a well-rounded educational event.
Location, Location, Location
Held at the beautiful, historic Galt House hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, on 4th & Main, the centrally located hotel offers guests the ability experience, immerse and delight in Louisville’s winning spirit. Easy access to the museum district, cultural center and Urban Bourbon Trail is a hallmark of this location. It remains Louisville’s only waterfront hotel.
Educational Programming
The AFS brings attendees together learn about research and ideas from the industry’s most formidable minds:
- Panel Session: “Advances and New Develop-
ments in Membrane/Filtration,” facilitated by Dr. Rigoberto Advincula (right). This session explores advances and new developments in membrane/filtration. The panel will focus on state-of-the-art membrane technologies and studies relevant to the industry and academic research. They will look at membrane materials and sustainability, high-throughput and efficient technologies, and priorities in green technology and clean technology. There is a lot of interest on AI/ML for the industry and unconventional manufacturing methods. - Plenary Session: “Multifunctional Membranes for Bio and Environmental Applications,” from Dibakar Bhattacharyya. Microfiltration membranes are widely used in particle filtration and bioreactors, but functionalizing their pores with macromolecules or charged hydrogels can enhance their capabilities. This advancement is crucial in gene therapy and vaccine development, offering a more efficient alternative to traditional methods like centrifugation. This presentation will cover membrane selection and functionalization to improve viral vector production, as well as techniques for treating complex water streams to recover valuable metals and capture toxins like PFAS.
- Plenary Session: “Advancing Filtration Tech-
nology for Personal Protective Equipment Applica-
tions,” from Jonathan Szalajda. This presentation will discuss, from a standards perspective, the
application of filtration technologies in personal protective equipment and discuss research needs for future applications of filtration technology. - Panel Session: “Standards or Modifications of Standards” –Dr. Thad Ptak.
The educational track follows its traditional tracks: Solid/Liquid, Applications, Air/Gas, and Research & Technical Fundamentals.
AFS is supportive of student university research, offering their annual Student Poster Competition, with presentations in the afternoon on April 2, 2025. Dr. Wenping Li, Agrilectric Research, is the Student Poster Chair.
Before the event, AFS offers short course training sessions in 11 areas of focus. These are led by experts in each area and offer attendees the ability to acquire necessary CEUs.
Keep an eye on the AFS website for ongoing updates to information and to register.
Visit www.afssociety.org/filtcon-2025.
INTERPHEX 25 (April 1-3, Javits Center, New York)
INTERPHEX is a global pharmaceutical and biotechnology event that fuses industry innovation with expert-led conference. It offers an expansive exhibition floor of over 500 companies showcasing cutting-edge products and services from industry leaders, including opportunities in filtration such as clean room equipment, and filtration methods such as surface filtration, depth filtration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, and reverse osmosis.
Engage with leading experts during scientifically vetted education sessions, discover live demonstrations of machinery and equipment from a diverse offering of exhibitors, and forge valuable connections at INTERPHEX. This year’s program topics range from new manufacturing technologies, drug product acceleration, global access to medicines, dosage forms, CMC challenges, and solutions to supply chain challenges. INTERPHEX Show Floor Education Content is designed to elevate industry knowledge and collaboration for all badge types. The Contract Stage, centrally located in the Contract Zone, serves as a hub for CMO/CDMO companies, celebrating innovation and excellence in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing. The Tech Theaters offer an engaging platform where exhibitors demonstrate groundbreaking technologies and advancements, providing attendees with an up-close look at the future of the industry. Meanwhile, the all-new Community Talks Theater delivers thought-provoking discussions. Together, these stages create a dynamic environment for learning, networking, and discovering solutions to drive the industry forward.
Educational tracks include “Advanced Manufacturing” and “Ensuring Access to Innovative Medicines.” Of note to filtration professionals, “Theme 1 – New Manufacturing Technologies” – focuses on innovative manufacturing technologies that enhance pharmaceutical production’s efficiency, accuracy, and quality.
Find more details at www.interphex.com.
FiltXPO™ (April 29-May 1, Miami Beach, FL)
FiltXPO™ is the International Filtration Conference & Exhibition hosted by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, where industry professionals convene for the latest technologies, innovations, and filtration intelligence.
Immerse yourself in the next generation of filtration technologies and innovations at the expo, as close to 100 world-class exhibitors demonstrate their contributions to all aspects of the vital industry supply chain. Their latest developments and intelligence are driving the filtration market forward to the future.
The Advances in Filtration Conference at FiltXPO is co-organized by INDA and AFS, American Filtration & Separations Society. It aims to provide the opportunity for professionals to experience both an outstanding industrial conference and trade show. It covers the following key topics: Nonwovens and filtration for healthy buildings; Nonwovens and filtration for Data Centers; Nonwovens and filtration for e-mobility; Sustainability and Circularity for Filtration; and Innovations meeting the current challenges of filtration.
There will be general plenary talks and panel discussions. In addition, a broad range of topics will be covered either to join as a subject matter expert or to explore new areas.
A new addition for the Conference is technical posters, featuring the latest innovations, presented by subject matter experts and/or research institutes.
The event also includes INDA’s Filter Media Short Course, a two-day training designed to provide a strong technical overview of nonwovens and their applications in both air and liquid filtration, technology options, unmet needs, and trends for future development. Charging options, including corona, hydro and triboelectric, will also be covered. This is an intensive course designed for professionals who would like to learn more about the development, testing, and application of nonwovens in filtration.
Short Course instructors include Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Ph.D., Professor and Executive Director, NC State University/The Nonwovens Institute (NWI); Benoit Maze, Ph.D., Director of Education and Administration, The Nonwovens Institute (NWI); and, Hooman Tafreshi, Ph.D., Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Director of Research, NC State University/The Nonwovens Institute (NWI).
This year, FiltXPO™ is co-located with the IDEA® 25 show (ideashow.org), a gathering of the industry to discuss the future of nonwoven materials, their applications, and how they will shape both form and function in various market sectors. Both expo show floors share the event theme of sustainability and circularity.
The show also includes the first-ever FiltXPO™ Innovation Award, recognizing innovation within the filtration value chain particularly those that utilize nonwoven fabric/technology.
Professionals in Research and Development, Product Development, Marketing and Product Managers, Technical Sales, Technical Support, and Testing and Quality Control are encouraged to attend.
To register for the event or to learn more about the event program as it develops, visit www.filtxpo.com.
14th WFC (June 30-July 4, Bourdeaux, France)
The aim of the World Filtration Congress (WFC) is to create a meeting place for scientists, engineers, and applicators from all over the world, specialists in filtration and separative techniques, to discuss the latest advances in science and technology. Held every 3 to 4 years in a member country of the International Delegation on Filtration, these events have enabled the development of processes in line with the socio-economic challenges of each era.
The 14th Congress will provide an opportunity to discuss the technical and scientific challenges and innovations in the field of fluid-particle separations. The scientific committee is keen to highlight the involvement of all these processes in environmental and sustainable development issues. Particular attention will be paid to a fast-growing area, the valorization of natural resources, in line with the biorefinery concept, of biosourced molecules to replace petrochemical products. Filtration and separative techniques for more sustainable processes, as well as water, climate, and energy issues will also be addressed.
The trade show will enable visitors to discover the innovations on display and to take advantage of discussions and debates with other professionals. Exchanges between academic researchers and industrial partners will be intensified through specific communications open to exhibitors, or through the creation of meeting spaces. The expected number of participants is 150 exhibitors and 700 scientific researchers.
Plenary Lectures
Hermann Nirschl on Autonomous Processing in Separation Technologies. The research group ‘process machines’ of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology deals with particle production or particle processing
in the liquid phase. The focus of the work is on filtration, centrifugation as well as mixing technology and agglomeration. For a holistic view of the materials examined, characterization technologies (like µCT, NMR or SAXS) and simulation methods (as DEM, CFD, Lattice Boltzmann, flow sheet simulation, or AI) are used to map digital process chains which help to design new machines and devices with the focus on improving specific goals such as raw material and energy efficiency in use.
Christine Sun on Advanced Filter Media Technologies, Trends, and Opportunities. This presentation will explore the latest advancements in filter media technologies, with a focus on innovations in nonwovens, nanofibers, membranes, and other sustainable materials. Key trends such as continuous sustainable development, smart filtration systems, AI-driven optimization, PFAS-free technologies, and eco-friendly solutions will also be discussed.
Hervé Buisson on Water Filtration: Challenges and Opportunities in the Age of Sustainability. This presentation will explore innovations in water filtration, from incremental improvements to disruptive technologies to meet these challenges. Through real-world examples of products, projects, and applications, he will illustrate some of the needs and opportunities the industry is facing.
Kenneth Winston on a look at the technology drivers and projects today, including technologies for reducing and reusing Carbon Dioxide to Green and Renewable Fuels & Chemicals. This presentation will look at modern gas processing innovations and technologies for carbon capture and reuse, renewable energies, green fuels and chemicals in fast-moving projects that focus on ecological footprint and costs.
Educational tracks on Gas Separation, Membrane Separation, Liquid Separation, plus Sustainable Development and Water will be announced in the coming days.
For more information, visit wfc14.com.
WEFTEC 2025, September 27-October 1, Chicago, IL
Plans for the annual Water Environment Federation’s WEFTEC 5-day event are underway. The event information is not yet available but is one to put on the calendar if you are a water quality professional. The event draws on average 21,000 participants and 1,000+ exhibitors who connect through over 120 technical sessions, 17 workshops and 6 facility tours.
The WEFTEC 2025 “Schedule at a Glance” will be posted by March 31, 2025, at www.weftec.org/program/learn-about-education/schedule-at-a-glance/.
