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 Matt Migliore at mmigliore@inda.media.
Most recent update: November 29, 2021
AHR Expo announces the 2022 Education Program
The International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Exposition (AHR Expo) announced the full schedule for the 2022 AHR Expo Education Program. The line-up features nearly 200 free seminars, new product and technology presentations, professional certifications and continuing education courses. The 2022 AHR Expo will be held January 31 – February 2, 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.
“The Education Program aims to complement what attendees experience on the Show floor,” said Show Manager, Mark Stevens. “Our manufacturers pack the hall with all the latest products and technologies in their exhibits and our speakers build on this in areas that support professional career development, training and updated industry information.”
EDUCATION SESSIONS
The 2022 Show will feature 65 free sessions led by industry experts put forth by leading organizations. Sessions will range from one to two hours and will aim to deliver solutions to some of the industry’s most pressing challenges and exciting opportunities. Attendees are invited to attend general HVAC-related sessions, as well as those specific to professional practices areas.
“It’s easy to get siloed in the details of daily work,” said Kimberly Pires, AHR Expo Education Program Coordinator. “Working with our associations to build the program affords the opportunity to see the similarities that every professional is facing across the industry. When we build out the program each year we aim to offer not only specific solutions but also identify the commonalities we are all facing and to offer diverse perspectives from all voices that work and serve HVACR. This kind of insight proves valuable as a takeaway for long-term professional growth for both companies and individuals.”
Additional highlights for the 2022 AHR Expo’s free seminar session agenda include discussions led by industry experts and leaders of HVACR Associations, general industry-wide topics, engineering, updates to regulation, contractor-focused seminars, specialized practices, ASHRAE sessions, PDHs in one hour sessions and returning sessions such as Managing Employees to stay and Building Systems Integration 101: Welcome to the Jungle.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
AHR Expo attendees have the opportunity to participate in professional development courses through ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI) and short courses/professional development seminars approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that can apply toward maintaining P.E. licensure. Attendees are required to register and pay tuition fees in advance of the Show and can do so by visiting the ASHRAE registration website.
Full-day courses account for six earned Professional Development Hours (PDHs)/Learning Units (LUs) or 0.6 CEUs. All half-day courses are awarded three accredited PDHs/AIA LUs. Topics cover a wide range of industry subjects, including the fundamentals of the commissioning process, complying with the requirements of ASHRAE standards, laboratory design basics and beyond, optimizing indoor environments and more.
NEW PRODUCT AND TECHNOLOGY THEATER PRESENTATIONS
Attendees are also encouraged to sit in on exhibitor presentations in the New Product & Technology Theater. More than 100 presentations lasting approximately 20 minutes each are planned across all three days of the Show. These free seminars are meant to provide attendees with brief overviews of new product announcements and technologies that can be found in exhibitor booths on the Show floor. Attendees are invited to follow up presentations with a visit to the booth for a more in-depth explanation and 1:1 interaction with products and representatives. These sessions are set to take place in special theaters right on the exhibit floor. No fee or registration is required.
This year, three 2022 Innovation Award winners will present, including:
- Carrier – Make the Invisible Visible with the Abound Cloud Platform
- Antrum – AntrumXTM: How Centralized IAQ Sensing Leads to MeasurablyHealthier, Efficient Buildings
- Danfoss – Compressor Innovation from Danfoss Turbocor®: Low GWPR1233zd w/Patented Hybrid Compression Design
“We are ready to rock and host a stellar Show in Vegas,” continued Stevens. “We’ve been planning for this moment for so long and are so encouraged by the enthusiasm from exhibitors, attendees and all those who make this Show a success each year. We promise to bring an event like never before and it’s only going to get better as this industry continues to grow through innovation. We can’t wait to see what you’ll discover at AHR Expo.”
Registration for the 2022 AHR Expo is free until January 30, 2021, and can be completed on ahrexpo.com.
Source: ahrexpo.com
Donaldson acquires Solaris, strengthens presence in life sciences market
Donaldson Company, Inc., a leading global provider of filtration products and solutions, has acquired Solaris Biotechnology Srl (“Solaris”). Solaris designs and manufactures bioprocessing equipment, including bioreactors, fermenters and tangential flow filtration systems for use in food and beverage, biotechnology and other life sciences markets. Solaris’ product portfolio ranges from benchtop systems for research and development to pilot and commercial-scale manufacturing systems.
“We are excited about Solaris’ capabilities and growth trajectory, and this acquisition is an important step on our journey towards strengthening our presence in the life sciences market,” said Tod Carpenter, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Donaldson. “With Solaris, we are well-positioned to provide more comprehensive solutions to food and beverage customers and expand our access to biopharma and other key life sciences markets. We are committed to building our presence in these markets, and this acquisition, combined with a strong pipeline of opportunities for both focused organic growth and additional acquisitions, gives us confidence we can deliver on our strategic priorities while creating value for our stakeholders.”
“By being part of Donaldson, we will have the global scale and financial flexibility to continue delivering on our growth plans, and we are thrilled about this opportunity,” said Matteo Brognoli, co-founder and chief executive officer of Solaris. “Like Donaldson, Solaris is built on strong customer relationships and providing technologically advanced solutions. With the need for Solaris products expanding rapidly we are better able to meet the growing need while playing an important role in Donaldson’s expansion into life sciences.”
Mr. Brognoli will remain with the Company to lead Solaris as Managing Director with responsibility for day-to-day operations and continued growth of the business.
Solaris was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Porto Mantovano, Italy, with U.S. operations based in Berkeley, California. The company has approximately 30 employees. Donaldson acquired Solaris for approximately €41 million. Calendar year 2021 revenue is projected to be approximately €5 million and will be reported within the Donaldson Industrial Filtration Solutions business in the Industrial Products segment.
Source: donaldson.com
Ovivo announces $25M investment to build membrane manufacturing facility in Texas
Ovivo Inc., a global provider of water and wastewater treatment equipment, technology and systems, announced an investment of more than $25 million for the construction of a state-of-the-art facility that will produce Cembrane’s Silicon Carbide (“SiC”) flat sheet membranes in the United States.
As announced on November 1, 2021, Cembrane has officially joined the Ovivo group of businesses. After collaborating with Cembrane for several years, Ovivo has designated the Cembrane SiC membranes as its preferred membrane technology in the future. The integration of Cembrane is expected to enhance growth in Ovivo’s existing markets and create opportunities with new solutions for a wide variety of applications in drinking water and wastewater, within both the municipal and industrial markets.
In order to support the growth in demand for Cembrane SiC membranes, Ovivo will build and operate an 110,000 square-foot manufacturing facility located in the Innovation Business Park of the city of Hutto in Texas. The facility is expected to be fully operational by early 2023 and should create nearly 100 new jobs when at full capacity.
Concurrently with this major investment in the United States, Ovivo is also investing to build additional manufacturing capacity at Cembrane’s facility in Lynge, Denmark.
Source: ovivowater.com
Shawn Windley to succeed Mark King as president of Tri-Dim Filter Corporation
The Mann+Hummel Group announced that after more than 30 years with Tri-Dim Filter Corporation, President Mark King will step back from his responsibilities. He transitions into an advisor role with immediate effect and will continue to cooperate closely with the company to support the Mann+Hummel Life Sciences & Environment team with his valuable expertise. Shawn Windley, President Commercial & Industrial Division at Pamlico Air, has been appointed as his successor.
“On behalf of the Mann+Hummel Management Board, I would like to thank Mark King for his outstanding commitment to strengthen and leading the expansion of the company’s air filtration activities in North America. We look forward to continuing to benefit from his expertise also in the future”, said Fua Nipah, President & General Manager Life Sciences & Environment of Mann+Hummel.
King assumed leadership of Tri-Dim in 2018, where he played a crucial role in the acquisition of the company by Mann+Hummel, a leading global expert for filtration solutions. Throughout his career, King served in a variety of leadership roles, beginning as a Southern Regional Manager for Tri-Dim Filter Corporation.
Shawn Windley joined the Mann+Hummel Group when the filtration expert made a strategic investment in Pamlico Air earlier this year. Together with the Mann+Hummel subsidiary Tri-Dim, the US manufacturer and provider of high-quality air filter products for mainly the retail and wholesale market enhances Mann+Hummel’s air filtration business capabilities in North America.
“We are looking forward to working with Shawn Windley, a valued leader who has been working in the industry for nearly three decades. Since both leadership teams have already worked as one organization after Pamlico Air joined the Mann+Hummel Group, Shawn will keep his current role in addition to leading Tri-Dim,” Fua Nipah said.
Source: mann-hummel.com
Nederman acquires Energy Save Systems Ltd
Nederman completed a deal to acquire 100% of the shares in English company, Energy Save Systems Ltd. Energy Save Systems develops and sells software and hardware for monitoring and control of filter systems that is designed to reduce energy consumption, decrease environmental impact and improve filtration performance.
Energy Save Systems’ DESA technology is designed for businesses that want to improve air quality and decrease environmental impact in industrial operations, such as in the wood, plastic, metalworking, food processing, pharmaceutical, welding and casting industries. The acquisition enhances Nederman’s offering within the environmental and climate area for both existing and new installations.
The acquisition price on a cash and debt free basis, amounts to approximately GBP 1.5 million, with a potential maximum earn-out payment of GBP 1.5 million based on development of the business in the 24 months following closing, and is funded by cash and existing bank facilities. Energy Save Systems Ltd’s turnover and profitability are not currently material for the Nederman group.
Energy Save Systems will be part of Nederman’s Monitoring & Control Technology Division.
“Through the acquisition we continue to develop our position as a world leading environmental technology company within industrial air filtration and further improve our product offering by meeting the market’s increased need for smart energy saving solutions,” said Sven Kristensson, CEO of Nederman Group.
Source: nedermangroup.com
BOFA publishes research paper on 3D printing industry emissions
A review into the particulate and gases emitted through 3D printing processes has been published by BOFA International, a provider of fume and dust extraction systems for a wide range of industrial sectors and applications.
The company has consolidated the findings of empirical studies into emissions linked to additive manufacturing processes into a report that provides industry guidance on helping protect both the health of employees and product quality through effective filtration systems.
The study underlines the presence of potentially harmful airborne contaminants in 3D printing processes, including VAT polymerisation (VP) and fused filament fabrication (FFF). These two additive manufacturing processes alone account for approximately 50% of the total components produced in the AM industry.
“The report highlights the importance of installing effective filtration solutions that can help capture and remove any potentially harmful emissions,” said Ross Stoneham, product manager of 3DP & Growth Markets at BOFA International. “This will not only help protect operatives from potentially harmful airborne contaminants but will also ensure that resulting product and the machines remain free from contamination.”
The findings of the report include:
- The temperature of 3D printer nozzles dramatically influences the volume of particles generated by FFF processes.
- An increase in 3D printer nozzle temperature decreases the average particle size generated by FFF processes – this means particles can penetrate more easily into the human body, which can potentially impact negatively on health.
- Any insoluble or low-solubility nanoparticles emitted can pass through human defence mechanisms and locate in the bloodstream, with potential distribution to organs in the body.
- Gases emitted by FFF printers include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can potentially cause operatives conditions such as headaches, eye irritation, skin problems and occupational asthma.
The BOFA industry paper on 3D print emission can be downloaded on BOFA’s website.
Source: bofainternational.com
Camfil APC rebuilds in Jonesboro, Arkansas, following tornado disaster
Camfil Air Pollution Control (APC), manufacturer of industrial dust, fume and mist collection systems for industrial processes, held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new manufacturing and office facility at Craighead Technical Park in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Camfil plans to invest more than $37 million in the facility, which will add about 67 new jobs within five years to an existing workforce of 237 people.
“We extend our most sincere thanks to everyone who has supported our plans to develop this new facility,” said Armando Brunetti, president of Camfil APC Americas. “The people of Jonesboro have been key to the success of Camfil APC, and we are honored to continue to thrive here and to contribute to local economic growth.”
Camfil APC has been headquartered in Jonesboro for more than 20 years. In early 2020, the company was already planning to develop a new manufacturing site when a tornado destroyed their facility. Since then, Camfil has been operating out of three separate leased locations throughout the city. The new 290,000-square-foot facility will occupy 34 acres and is scheduled to open in Fall 2022. In addition to space for manufacturing industrial dust collectors and filter cartridges, the facility will also house sales offices, warehousing and shipping.
“This is a company that was already enjoying a momentum in business even before recent events led to an increased awareness in clean air safety,” said Gov. Asa Hutchinson. “We are fortunate to have such a value-added company here in Arkansas that invests in its customers, its employees and its community.”
Source: camfilapc.com
US EPA announces winners of Cleaner Air During Wildfires Challenge
EPA’s Office of Research and Development recently announced the winners of the Cleaner Indoor Air During Wildfires Challenge. Winners shared their innovative ideas for low-cost solutions that quietly and safely reduce indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during periods when outdoor PM2.5 concentrations are high.
EPA and its federal, state, local and tribal partners held this challenge competition to encourage the development of detailed plans for novel, effective, low-cost technologies to reduce indoor PM2.5 concentrations and protect public health during wildfire smoke events. Exposure to PM2.5, an air pollutant from wildfire smoke and other sources, can be harmful to lung and heart health, especially for those with pre-existing health conditions.
Winners and honorable mentions from this first phase of the challenge will be invited to submit prototypes of their technologies for evaluation in a second phase of the challenge.
Challenge winners
- Low-Cost Household Air Purifier Requiring No Consumables – An air purifier that uses a method called cyclonic separation to remove smoke particles from the air, and this process would be enhanced by adding a fine mist of water to the air stream. Proposed by Charles Matlack and Liam Bradshaw, of Seattle, Wash.
- Rutgers Research and Design Initiative (RRDI) – A novel application of a commercial, industrial 2-phase wet scrubber modified for use in a home environment. Proposed by Alexander Sanducu, German Drazer, Edward Demauro, Lucas Hall, Aris Karapiperis, Ismail Erdi Kurtyigit, Jayesh Ratnam, Zeyneb Aamer, Maya Ziab, Anish Seth, Aryanna Arcilla, Matthew Haung, Katherine Carley, of New Brunswick, N.J.
- The Cocoon: An Accessible Low-Cost Air Cleaner for Safer Spaces During Wildfires – An air cleaner that uses a large, tube-shaped, washable fabric filter combined with a box fan to create a low-cost device. Proposed by Elliot Gall, Brett Stinson, Matthew Moore, and Warren Gunn, Portland State University, Mechanical and Materials Engineering, of Portland, Ore.
- Resonant Ultrasonic Scrubber for Indoor Air Filtration – A cleaner that uses the motion created by sound waves (ultrasonic agitation) to aerosolize water and mix with smoky air to capture particles in the air. Proposed by Eric Nutsch, BOTE Innovations, LLC, of Burley, Idaho.
- Air2-Clear2 – A filterless, extraction-based air cleaner that uses a high-flow fan to force air through a series of barriers to collect particulate matter. Proposed by Zeljko Prijovic, University of Belgrade, Serbia, and Emil Valchinov of Pazardzhik, Bulgaria.
Honorable mentions
- Metalmark Clean Air Device – A device that uses a novel nanomaterial coating on a filter to enable destruction of captured particulate matter when the filter is heated to high temperature. Proposed by Sissi Liu, Tanya Shirman, and Elijah Shirman of Metalmark Innovations, Inc., of Boston, Mass.
- PM Shield – A kit for installing a fan in a window, bringing in filtered air, and creating enough positive pressure indoors to prevent infiltration of smoke through other cracks or openings. Proposed by Cliff Edwards, Oscar Malpica, Chuck Lee, Geoffrey Edwards, and Mahmoud Rezaee of Envisioning Labs and Warren Stiver of SCFVirtual, of Vancouver, Canada.
- Microporous Media for Airborne Pollutant Removal – A device that uses a washable, reusable pellet material to filter out particulate matter from air passed through it by a small fan. Proposed by Stephen Grunzinger, Idea Forge LLC, of Stillwater, Minn.
Read the full descriptions of winning proposals and honorable mentions on the challenge website at https://www.epa.gov/air-research/winners-cleaner-indoor-air-during-wildfires-challenge
Source: epa.gov
SWM announces Q3 results; buoyed by strong performance across filtration portfolio
Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. (SWM) reported earnings results for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2021.
Advanced Materials & Structures segment sales were $260.1 million, up 87%, including the benefit from the Scapa acquisition, while organic sales increased 10%. The organic sales increase was driven by continued rapid growth in transportation sales, specifically automotive paint protection films, as they continued to rebound sharply from COVID-19 related pressures that began early in 2020, and broad strength across our filtration portfolio, particularly water and process filtration products. Transportation and filtration sales each grew approximately 25%. Construction sales, led by erosion control and turf products, and industrial sales, led by digital printing products, also increased. Healthcare sales (excluding Scapa) declined as certain products that saw short-term COVID-related demand spikes in prior year quarters, such as facemask materials, faced difficult comparisons.
Engineered Papers segment sales were $123.5 million, down 12%, driven by a 10% volume decrease, unfavorable price/mix of 3%, and a 1% currency benefit. The volume decline was attributable to lower tobacco-related papers, including LIP, as certain customers resumed more normalized order patterns compared to the third quarter of 2020 when they built inventories to de-risk their supply chains amidst Covid-19 uncertainties. The lower LIP volume was a significant contributor to the negative mix. Continued rapid growth in reduced risk Heat-not-Burn products was a positive offset within the tobacco business. Non-tobacco paper volumes were essentially unchanged.
Unallocated GAAP expenses were $16.9 million, versus $9.7 million in 3Q:20; and included $3.3 million of expenses related to the Scapa acquisition, primarily integration costs. Adjusted unallocated expenses (which excluded the Scapa acquisition related costs) were $13.6 million, versus $9.6 million.
Consolidated sales were $383.6 million, up 37%, but down 1% excluding the incremental sales from the Scapa acquisition. Favorable currency movements benefited sales on the business, excluding Scapa, by 1%. GAAP operating profit was $23.0 million, down 38%, and GAAP operating profit margin was 6.0%. Adjusted operating profit was $40.0 million, down 24%, and adjusted operating profit margin was 10.4%, down 850 basis points.
Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results Summary
- Continued strong demand in AMS, highlighted by 10% organic sales growth, offset by escalating input cost inflation and supply chain challenges across the business
- Total sales were $383.6 million, up 37.3%, but down 1% on organic basis
- GAAP operating profit was $23.0 million, or 6.0% of sales, down $14.0 million; Adjusted operating profit was $40.0 million, or 10.4% of sales, down $12.7 million
- GAAP EPS was $0.38, down from $0.78; Adjusted EPS was $0.82, down from $1.16; difficult earnings comparison to an exceptionally strong third quarter of 2020
- Management now expects full year 2021 Adjusted EPS to finish below the $3.75 to $4.05 guidance range provided in May, with fourth quarter Adjusted EPS expected to be down approximately 20% versus prior year quarter (see Management Commentary and Business Outlook sections below for additional detail)
Source: swmintl.com
ProPublica publishes report and map showing most toxic air pollution sites in the U.S.
ProPublica published a report showing five years of modeled EPA data, identifying more than 1,000 toxic air pollution hot spots across the United States with an estimated 250,000 people living in them, who may be exposed to levels of excess cancer risk that the EPA deems unacceptable.
Thousands of facilities nationwide that are considered large sources of toxic air pollution submit a report to the government each year on their chemical emissions. Using the reports submitted between 2014 and 2018, ProPublica calculated the estimated excess cancer risk from industrial sources across the country and mapped it out.
The EPA’s threshold for an acceptable level of cancer risk is 1 in 10,000, meaning that of 10,000 people living in an area, there would likely be one additional case of cancer over a lifetime of exposure. But the agency has also said that ideally, Americans’ added level of cancer risk from air pollution should be far lower, 1 in a million.
The ProPublica report includes a map highlighting areas where the additional cancer risk is greater than 1 in 100,000.
Read the full ProPublica report and view the map: https://projects.propublica.org/toxmap/?mc_cid=235246c825&mc_eid=97544d22ce
Source: propublica.org
Practical Water Solutions starts various pilot projects with NX Filtration’s direct nanofiltration technology in South Africa
Practical Water Solutions (PWS) has partnered with NX filtration to launch various pilot projects to text direct nanofiltration (dNF) membranes for the reuse of industrial wastewater. PWS will deploy NX Filtration’s Mexpert pilot system alongside PWS’ Abrimix technology to conduct pilot projects at industrial clients across South Africa.
“NX Filtration’s dNF technology offers our clients a unique opportunity to reuse their wastewater in a very simple and robust way,” said Rob Cloete, CEO at PWS. “The results of our first pilot projects at Coega Dairy and Summerpride Foods look promising, enabling them to reduce their water footprint by 80%, and 100% respectively. Throughout the coming year, we plan to deploy pilots at industrial customers throughout the country, supporting them in addressing their water challenges.”
PWS is offering a WaaS solution based on the Abrimix Suspended Solid Flotation (SSF) technology and NX Filtration’s dNF technology to enable potable water recovery from wastewater in industrial processes. The first two pilot projects have been conducted at the Dairy Group’s Coega Dairy and Summerpride Foods.
“Industrial wastewater reuse is one of the sweet spots of our dNF technology,” said Johann Lombaard, Sales Manager at NX Filtration. “Building on our experience at various European, North American and Asian industrial clients, we are happy that we can now also roll this out in South Africa. With our dNF membranes we can remove microplastics, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and colour from wastewater in one single step, while recovering certain raw materials that can be recycled in industrial processes. In addition, we offer strong sustainability benefits to our customers, as our technology avoids the use of pre-treatment chemicals and requires significantly less energy than conventional methods.”
In 2018, Cape Town’s “Day Zero” became the focus for South Africa’s water crisis. However, the entire country is impacted by high demand and inadequate supply of water. As a result, more stringent regulations are being implemented. For example, in the Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) area, industries are now being required to reduce water consumption by a minimum of 20%.
Source: nxfiltration.com
Memsift, Birla Cellulose partner to develop Zero Liquid Discharge technology
Singapore-based Memsift Innovations Pte Ltd and Birla Cellulose have executed a partnership agreement to explore, co-develop and implement Memsift technologies for Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) and Resource Recovery applications from the waste streams at its global operations.
Under this agreement Birla Cellulose, a global leader in the manmade cellulosic fibres (MMCF) and a part of the Aditya Birla Group (ABG), would be leading the piloting of solutions using the Memsift technologies with an objective of improving the closed-loop technologies that can go beyond the current best available technologies and help set up new benchmark for closed-loop processes in the MMCF industry.
Birla Cellulose plans to pilot and evaluate the technologies from Memsift to recover more than 95% of water and chemical recovery from the waste streams and also with a benefit of lower carbon footprint by up to 80% compared to the conventional methods. The joint piloting is expected to be completed by mid of 2022 which will be followed by commercialization of the co-developed technologies.
This partnership was facilitated by ABG Innovation Fund and it enables pilots and co-development of new technologies leading to scaling up support for Memsift and innovative solution deployment at ABG. It also enables Memsift to engage with other projects at ABG businesses at early stages. Memsift has agreed to license the technology to ABG for sales in India and other identified geographies in a later phase upon successful implementation of pilots in ABG.
The STOMATE® and TS-30™ systems would be also piloted in various ABG’s manufacturing sites and adopted for initial reference before exploring the chemicals recovery and ZLD market in large.
J. Antony Prince, Ph.D., founder & CEO of Memsift Innovations said, “We are very excited about this partnership and happy to have ABG as a long-term partner in Memsift. This will allow us to work closely with ABG businesses to commercialize the state-of-the-art membrane Distillation technology in industrial scale and we hope to build the largest MD unit for resource recovery application in the near future. This partnership is aligned to the vision of ABG innovation Fund which aims to work together with tech-start-ups to develop solutions for the world’s most pressing problems like water (SDG-6) and climate change (SDG-13) to preserve resources and a clean environment for the next generation.”
Source: birlacellulose.com
Evoqua Water Technologies invests in new sustainability and innovation hub
Evoqua Water Technologies opened its new Sustainability and Innovation Hub in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The 18,000 square-foot facility hosts a hands-on demonstration and training area, pilot testing environment and a laboratory to grow Evoqua’s analytical and feasibility study capacity.
“Every day, the Evoqua team is committed to transforming water and enriching the lives of our customers and their communities,” said Ron Keating, Evoqua’s Chief Executive Officer. “The investment in this new facility aligns with our strategy to advance our research and development capabilities to help solve some of the world’s most challenging water issues. In addition, the Hub will provide a path for future expansion of Evoqua’s sustainable products and solutions while creating opportunities for collaboration with strategic partners.”
The new facility will enable further advancement and development of cutting-edge and sustainable water treatment technologies critical to addressing emerging water trends, including water and climate risks, connectivity, and health and safety.
Source: evoqua.com
Flowrox Company rebrands to Roxia
With the sale of Flowrox’s valve and pump businesses, including the Flowrox brand, to Neles completed, Flowrox’s dewatering, industrial automation and environmental technologies with all related customer support will continue under the new name and brand Roxia.
“In recent years, our operations have expanded in many areas through product development and acquisitions,”said Jukka Koskela, President and CEO, Roxia. “It was time to focus. This business transaction enables us to advance the remaining businesses to the next level.”
Roxia is headquartered in Finland, with subsidiaries in Australia, Chile, China, Finland, Germany, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Sweden and the United States.
Source: roxia.com
Ecolab to acquire Purolite for $3.7 B, growing its footprint in life sciences and critical industrial markets
Ecolab Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire Purolite, a leading and fast-growing global provider of high-end ion exchange resins for the separation and purification of solutions. The deal is seen as highly complementary to Ecolab’s current offering and critical to safe, high-quality drug production and biopharma product purification in the life sciences industries. It also provides purification and separation solutions for critical industrial markets like microelectronics, nuclear power and food and beverage. The acquisition is structured as a cash transaction valued at approximately $3.7 billion. Based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, Purolite operates in more than 30 countries and employs approximately 1,000 people worldwide, with expected 2021 sales of approximately $0.4 billion.
Purolite will operate as a separate global business unit and its overall results will be reported within Ecolab’s Life Sciences division.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to regulatory clearance and other customary closing conditions. No other details were announced.
Acquisition Highlights:
- Strong strategic fit – new major global growth platform adding very high margin product and service solutions to further improve end-product safety and quality to critical key customers in the life sciences and industrial markets.
- Large, growing market – growth leader serving an estimated $5 billion global fluid separation and purification market, growing double-digits in biopharma and high single-digits in industrial.
- Strong growth history and expected long-term outlook with highly attractive margins – doubles our existing and very successful high growth, high margin life sciences business while adding new capabilities and creating incremental opportunities in industrial.
- Global leader with recurring revenue – a nearly $0.4 billion global leader in high-end ion exchange resins with approximately 95% consumable revenue products for purification solutions critical to customer operations. Highly recurring business model as it is usually part of FDA drug filings in life sciences.
- Breakthrough innovation – innovation leader, including its unique jetted agarose resin beads, which are recognized for their exceptional performance in mRNA vaccine production and monoclonal antibody purification for cancer treatment.
- Expected to be neutral in 2022 and nearly $0.10 accretive in 2023 to adjusted earnings per share; transaction amortization expected to be approximately $0.26 per share.
Source: ecolab.com
NX Filtration names regional sales manager to support strategic expansion in the Middle East and North Africa
NX Filtration, a global provider of breakthrough direct nanofiltration technology designed to provide pure and affordable water, expanded its sales team with Usama Patel. Usama will support NX Filtration in further rolling out its direct nanofiltration technology for municipal and industrial applications in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Usama Patel has extensive experience in the water and wastewater treatment sector in the MENA region, through his previous roles as sales director Middle East and Africa for Marmon Water, regional sales manager for Hydranautics (a Nitto Group Company), business development manager Middle East and Africa for Mann+Hummel and regional sales manager Middle East and Africa for Pentair. In addition, he brings relevant experience in the food and beverage sector through various roles at Unilever. Usama holds a bachelor degree in Microbiology from Bangalore University in India and he will be based out of Dubai, UAE.
Source: nxfiltration.com
Filtration Group acquires Columbus Industries, enhances air filtration portfolio
Columbus Industries, a global provider of air filtration products for indoor residential and commercial applications has joined Filtration Group, an affiliate of Madison Industries. Columbus Industries offers a comprehensive suite of performance-engineered air filters, and it further enhances the breadth and depth of Filtration Group’s portfolio of indoor air filtration solutions to ensure safe, clean air for its customers.
Eric Pontious, executive vice president of Columbus Industries, stated “After nearly 40 years with Columbus, I can confidently say we have found the perfect partner to bring our customers an even higher level of service and support. I could not be prouder to partner with the Filtration Group team to make the world safer, healthier and more productive.”
“Columbus Industries is globally recognized as the gold standard within indoor air filtration; the company’s vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities and its best-in-class, proprietary in-house media provide faster lead times, greater flexibility and higher quality to its market leading customers and channel partners. We are thrilled to welcome Columbus to the Filtration Group family” said Filtration Group’s CEO, Tim McCarty.
Columbus Industries’ air filters support HVAC systems, air purifiers and indoor air quality systems. The company’s range of branded and private label filters are focused on the highest minimum-efficiency-reporting-values (“MERV”) ratings and high-efficiency-particulate-absorbing requirements.
Source: filtrationgroup.com
Perlmutter Idea & Development publishes e-book focused on solid-liquid filtration for clarification applications
Selecting the right solid-liquid filtration solution is an ongoing challenge for the process industries. Yet automated technologies can streamline processes while improving safety, as outlined by a new e-book, published by Perlmutter Idea & Development (P&ID).
The e-book, available online for download, captures key content from a 2021 course P&ID, president Barry Perlmutter, taught for the American Filtration Separations Society Learning Center.
“The book is the first-of-its-kind specifically for the process industries,” said Perlmutter. “Drawing on my experiences and collaborations with other process experts, ‘The Framework for Selecting Automated Solid-Liquid Filtration Technologies for Clarification Applications’ provides the basics and presents actual case histories to illustrate problems and improved installations with automatic filtration.”
The framework:
- Characterizes slurries
- Discusses filtration lab testing
- Differentiates between candle filters, circular plate filters, concentrating candle filters
- Explores filter media and filter aid options
- Shares case studies from the specialty chemical industry (resins, zeolites and pharmaceuticals)
The e-book is available for purchase (US $14.99) at https://perlmutterideadevelopment.com/shop/.
Source: perlmutterideadevelopment.com
