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: November 27, 2023
MAAG Group Continues Expansion with Additional Services in Malaysia
MAAG Group, a broadly diversified global solutions provider of Pump & Filtration Systems, Pelletizing & Pulverizing Systems, Recycling Systems and Digital Solutions, is expanding its operations in Asia, with new services in Malaysia for MAAG Ettlinger melt filters. In addition to cutting rotor regrinding, MAAG Malaysia can also provide vacuum pyrolysis oven cleaning.
In plastics processing some components have to be repaired, upgraded, or replaced during the long plant lifecycle. MAAG Malaysia offers customers comprehensive repair services for their polymer production plants. Whether repairing gear pumps and filters or reconditioning and regrinding of cutting rotors — MAAG will ensure a long service life for machines. The facility serves most of Asia.
Ueli Thuerig, President of MAAG Group, said: “We are excited about our new Malaysian growth. This project marks another important milestone in the implementation of the company’s plan to grow capacity in strategic markets where we expect strong long-term demand.”
These additional services are the latest example of MAAG’s commitment to the Asian market.
Memsift Innovations Secures Large Order From Global Pharma Company
Singapore-based Memsift Innovations has signed a $1.62 million commercial contract from a leading Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company to revolutionize industrial liquid waste treatment and zero liquid discharge solutions.
The global pharma giant initiated a technical feasibility study in 2019. The study aimed to assess the feasibility of utilizing TS-30 Improved Membrane Distillation system to treat liquid waste and resulted in reducing liquid waste volume by more than 90% while recovering high-quality nitrogen fertilizer, the company said in a statement.
Building on the positive outcomes of the feasibility study, a full-scale onsite pilot program was unveiled in early 2022 and has been in continuous operation for over a year.
The commercial implementation of this project is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2024.
INDA’s Wes Fisher Named a 2023 Top Lobbyist
INDA, The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced that Director of Government Affairs Wes Fisher was named a 2023 Top Lobbyist by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE). The list includes professionals with significant legislative success in 2023, have been innovative in their field, are held in high regard by their peers, give back to their community through charity or pro bono work, and adhere to the highest ethical standards.
Fisher joined the INDA staff in 2022, he previously held senior government affairs positions at the Pet Advocacy Network and the National Automatic Merchandising Association. His work at INDA has included interfacing with lawmakers, regulators, and stakeholders at the state, local, federal, and international levels and participating in UN negotiations regarding the ongoing Global Plastics Treaty. He serves on the board of directors of the Washington Area State Relations Group (WASRG) and in 2022 was appointed by the Governor of Virginia to the Virginia Rare Disease Council.
Donaldson Company Invests in New Life Sciences Technical Center
Donaldson Company, Inc., a leading worldwide provider of innovative filtration products and solutions, announced its commitment to broadening its life sciences reach with the opening of a 25,000-square-foot life sciences technical center in Research Triangle Park (RTP) in North Carolina. Donaldson brands located or under development at the facility include Isolere Bio, Purilogics, Solaris Biotech and Univercells Technologies.
The technical center at 5 Lab Drive in RTP is centrally located on a campus supporting emerging biotechnology companies and includes modern laboratories as well as cleanrooms that provide product manufacturing capacity. The new facility will support the design, development, launch and early commercialization of transformational bioprocessing solutions. It also will serve as a hub for Donaldson life science innovations while advancing the IsoTag™ reagent product line.
Metso to Expand Service Center in Arizona
Metso is expanding its service center in Mesa, Arizona to support the growing needs of mining customers, primarily in the copper segment, which plays a crucial role in supporting a responsible energy transition. In addition to expanding its service and repair capabilities, a cutting-edge training center will be built to continue to improve competence development in the region.
“We are proud to be able to further demonstrate our dedication to customer success, supporting the production of Critical Minerals. This investment will provide great benefit to the Southwest USA and beyond, with comprehensive and reliable services. Our expanded facilities in Mesa will allow access to unmatched OEM-quality repairs and refurbishments, and the new advanced Metso Training Center will help ensure that the next generation of miners are well-equipped”, says Giuseppe Campanelli, President, North and Central America, Metso.
The total investment value is approx. EUR 14 million, with expansions expected to be ready during the first half of 2025.
Damen Green Solutions and Bawat A/S Joint Venture for Mobile Ballast Water Management Systems
Damen Green Solutions and Bawat A/S have formally signed the agreement to solidify their joint venture in the development and sales of cutting-edge mobile Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS). The joint venture, operating under the collective name “Bawat Damen,” marks a significant step in revolutionizing mobile ballast water management solutions.
Under the joint venture, Bawat A/S will provide its innovative system for treating ballast water, leveraging its patented pasteurisation process that eradicates organisms without the use of chemicals, filters, or UV. Damen Green Solutions, known for its expertise in maritime solutions, will undertake the construction of these systems. The partners will share a joint focus on sales and global marketing.
The contract was signed at the international maritime exhibition Europort 2023 in Rotterdam by Marcus Peter Hummer, CEO Bawat, Klaus Nyborg, Chairman of the Board Bawat, Arnout Damen, CEO Damen Shipyards Group and Marcel Karsijns, MD Damen Shipyards Group.
Nijhuis Saur Industries and NX Filtration Partner to Address Water Scarcity
At Aquatech Amsterdam – the world’s leading trade exhibition for process, drinking, and wastewater – Nijhuis Saur Industries and NX Filtration jointly announced their partnership and unveiled an innovative mobile hollow fiber nanofiltration unit, named the MONF. The MONF is designed as a modular and plug-and-play system that can treat waters up to 100 m3/h and can easily be transported. The unique modular Nijhuis Saur Industries system uses NX Filtration’s unique nanofiltration membranes, to remove a wide range of contaminations from water in an effective and sustainable process, substantially reducing energy and chemical usage.
Nijhuis Saur Industries and NX Filtration are global leaders in their respective fields. This partnership combines Nijhuis Saur Industries’ expertise and resources in industrial and municipal water solutions, underpinned by the optimal selection of hollow fiber membrane technology from NX Filtration.
Blueair Introduces Powerful Tabletop Air Purifier – Blue Pure Mini Max
Blueair, a global leader in indoor air purification solutions, has introduced the Blue Pure Mini Max, a tabletop air purifier designed to efficiently clean the air in small spaces with minimum noise and energy use. Blueair’s smallest air purifier to date, Blue Pure Mini Max uses proprietary HEPASilent™ technology to deliver maximum filtration with minimum noise for compact spaces by removing at least 99.97%1 of airborne particles down to 0.1 micron, such as dust, pet dander, pollen and smoke. Its sleek, compact and lightweight design makes it ideal for small spaces, on desktops, nightstands and in nurseries so you can always keep clean air close.
Limbach Holdings, Inc. Acquires Industrial Air, LLC
Limbach Holdings, Inc. announced the closing of the acquisition of Industrial Air, LLC (IA), a specialty mechanical contractor based in Greensboro, N.C., for an initial enterprise value of $13.5 million in an all-cash transaction.
Founded in 1964 and led by second generation President Allen R. Hunter, Jr., IA serves industrial customers throughout the Southeast United States and along the Eastern Seaboard. IA focuses on delivering engineered air handling systems, including air condition and air filtration, along with controls systems and maintenance work.
Amazon Filters Passes Production Milestone
UK process filter manufacturer Amazon Filters has fabricated and shipped its 100,000th stainless steel cartridge housing after production capacity was boosted through an extensive, ongoing investment program.
Surrey-based Amazon Filters hit the milestone figure as the latest practical output of its ‘quick and able’ manufacturing ethos.
The 100,000th unit, a metal fabricated housing like the others in the count, was produced and shipped in response to an order from a global water treatment company.
As with all Amazon Filters’ housings, the unit is serialized and fully traceable down to its materials, welder and testing data.
Neil Pizzey, Amazon Filters Managing Director, said: “Completing our 100,000th unit is a significant milestone for us and one that our whole team can be proud of.
U-Air Joins the MANN+HUMMEL Group
The MANN+HUMMEL Group announced the closing of the acquisition of a majority stake in Suzhou U-Air Environmental Technology (“U-Air”). This strategic move reinforces MANN+HUMMEL’s commitment to meeting the rising global demand for cleaner air solutions and strengthens its footprint in the growing Chinese and Southeast Asian air filtration market.
The acquisition of U-Air, one of the largest Chinese filtration manufacturers known for its high-quality air filtration products, marks a significant milestone for MANN+HUMMEL. For one of the leading filtration technology companies, the investment means accelerating its global reach and gaining new opportunities as U-Air is serving diverse markets. The U-Air teams and customers will benefit from MANN+HUMMEL’s global reach and infrastructure as the filtration company already has a very strong presence in the Chinese Automotive sector.
While the acquisition has been completed on October 31st, the public registration in China is still in progress. The U-Air portfolio will complement MANN+HUMMEL’s existing air filtration business within the Life Sciences & Environment unit. MANN+HUMMEL and U-Air are fully committed to ensuring a smooth implementation of this transaction for the benefit of their customers and suppliers.
Toray Expands Air Filter Business in India
Toray Industries, Inc., announced that a new facility at subsidiary Toray Industries (India) Private Limited began producing air filters in October. These offerings for air purifiers and automotive and building air conditioners and air conditioners minimize pressure losses while delivering high dust collection efficiency.
This is the first facility in India to integrate the production of everything from nonwoven fabrics for high-performance filter media through filter assembly. It has joined Toray Fibers (Nantong) Co., Ltd., in China, which makes nonwoven fabrics for air filters, in supplying the global market.
Worsening air pollution has heightened awareness in India of the need to deploy environmental measures. Toray looks to support rising demand for high-performance, high-quality air filters.
In keeping with its commitment to local production for local consumption, Toray will set up a manufacturing, technology development, and sales structure in India to swiftly identify needs in that market and reflect them in developing new offerings, thus quickly catering to the increasingly sophisticated performance demand of its customers.
Attaining sustainable growth is one of the basic strategies of Project AP-G 2025, Toray’s medium-term management program. In driving to expand its business, the company has accordingly positioned air filters as products that enhance safely and help shrink environmental footprints. Toray will help further reduce environmental impacts through its new air filter facility in India.
LiqTech Enters Distribution Agreement with Waterco
LiqTech International, Inc., a clean technology company that manufactures and markets highly specialized filtration products and systems, announced it has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Waterco for the distribution of LiqTech’s Aqua Solution® swimming pool water filtration systems covering Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and the Pacific Islands. Waterco is a well-established player in the swimming pool market and has worked with LiqTech successfully in the past three years to bring solutions to their joint customers. This agreement is aimed in elevate the collaboration between LiqTech and Waterco.
Fei Chen, President and CEO at LiqTech, said, “Waterco has been a fantastic partner for LiqTech and we are excited to have an even closer collaboration through this exclusive distribution agreement covering Australia and surrounding areas. Together, we expect to reach a broader audience and make a substantial impact in the global aquatics and water treatment industries in these key territories.”
Andy Gale, Commercial and Water Treatment Sales Manager of Waterco, said, “We are excited to extend our exclusive partnership with LiqTech. This collaboration enables Waterco to offer customers the most advanced and environmentally friendly filtration solutions available while widening our offering to the market generally. Our commitment to quality and sustainability aligns perfectly with LiqTech’s vision, making this an excellent synergy for both companies.”
