In the dynamic and global filtration industry, news and information is breaking on a daily basis. International Filtration News is tracking stories relevant to our industry from air and gas filtration to liquid filtration and the various end-uses for filtration technology. Here we will post news stories relevant to filtration and its downstream applications on an ongoing basis. Please check back for regular updates. If you have news that you feel should be added to this summary report, please email it to Ken Norberg: ken@filtnews.com
Most recent update: July 12, 2023
Mann+Hummel Appoints New Leaders
Mann+Hummel has appointed Nicole Schuler as its new Group Vice President Integrated Business Services. In her new role, Schuler will be responsible for the Mann+Hummel Group’s internal service centers in the Czech Republic, India and China. She reports to Emese Weissenbacher, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the company’s key management committee.
Last month, the company announced that Dr. Mark Müser, Group Vice President Global Operations Life Sciences & Environment will assume the responsibility as President Air Filtration Americas in addition to his current role.
Harry Smith, who has been holding the position as President Air Filtration Americas, will continue in an advisory capacity as Executive Director for MANN+HUMMEL’s Air Filtration Americas closely collaborating and supporting Müser in his new role.
Ahlstrom Tea Filter Receives Compostability Certification
Ahlstrom’s non-heat sealable tea filter range has received certification for home compostability according to OK Compost from TÜV Austria.
This certification gives customers assurance that non-heat sealable tea filter papers RegTea Green and RegTea TrulyNatural® ranges will biodegrade in home composting conditions, leaving behind no toxic residue or microplastics. These products can help Ahlstrom customers, whether converters or brand owners, to achieve their own sustainability goals.
Donaldson Acquires Univercells Technologies
Donaldson Company, Inc., a leading worldwide provider of innovative filtration products and solutions, announced the acquisition of Univercells Technologies, a global producer of innovative biomanufacturing solutions for cell and gene therapy research, development and commercial manufacturing.
Univercells Technologies’ product offering includes the unique scale-X™ single-use structured fixed-bed bioreactor for the intensified production of viruses used in cell and gene therapy, viral vaccines and other therapeutics. In addition, the Company’s automated NevoLine™ Upstream platform incorporates industry-standard filtration to provide integrated up- and mid-stream processing capabilities in a single unit driving productivity improvements, reduced operational footprints and greater consistency of results.
Record Metso Filter Service Orders in the Americas Markets
Metso has been awarded repeat orders for filter modernization, plate packs, and related services from several major mining companies in the North, Central and South America markets. In addition to the filter modernization, several larger modernization orders for other types of dewatering solutions have been booked. By utilizing Metso’s expertise and technology, customers will be able to increase uptime and achieve capacity improvements.
The value of the orders amounts to more than EUR 15 million, of which 70% was booked in the Minerals segment’s first quarter, and the rest in the second quarter of orders received. In the first quarter, Metso received the largest filter modernization order in its history, totaling EUR 10 million. The company’s largest thickener modernization order was also booked in the first quarter.
“The customer interest and need for high-quality filters, filter spares, and services are rising. We are very glad to confirm several repeat orders with our key customers. The new polymer filter plate factory in Mexico is an important investment, and it will increase our capability of meeting customers’ demands, simultaneously strengthening our strong position in mining concentrate and tailings filtration solutions,” said Tomas Hakala, Senior Vice President, Beneficiation, Dewatering, and Hydrometallurgy Services business line, Metso.
From the new factory, Metso will provide customers with shorter lead times and transportation distances, especially to the Americas. The first filter plates are expected to be manufactured in the second half of 2024, and full production capacity is expected in the end of the first half of 2025. Once fully operational, the factory will have the capacity to serve the full filter portfolio.
Metso’s filtration portfolio consists of 15 different filter types and comprehensive services for hundreds of applications. More than 80% of Metso filters are part of the company’s Planet Positive portfolio, primarily thanks to their efficiency in the recovery and reuse of water. The company has carried out more than 14,000 filtration tests and delivered more than 5,000 filters for various applications worldwide. Many of the filters are sold under the Larox® product name along with Metso corporate branding.
Matt Fortuna Joins Rensa Filtration as President of Custom Filter
Rensa Filtration, a manufacturer of consumable, mission-critical air filtration products, announced that its Custom Filter subsidiary has named Matt Fortuna as its President. Fortuna is succeeding John Copley, who is retiring after a long and successful career in filtration.
Matt Fortuna is joining from Lapp Tannehill, N.A., a distributor of wire and cable products, where he was most recently President and Managing Director. He brings 20-plus years of filtration industry experience, having spent a significant portion of his career at Donaldson Company, where he developed a successful track record in filter media process development, operations and engineering management and general management. He had P&L responsibility for several filtration businesses serving key end markets, including semiconductor, aerospace & defense, and engine liquid & hydraulic filtration.
