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: October 24, 2021
Mann+Hummel introduces Carbon Zero Strategy, pledging to be carbon neutral by 2050
Mann+Hummel published its Carbon Zero Strategy in an effort to minimize its carbon footprint and work toward a more sustainable future. Through its Carbon Zero Strategy, Mann+Hummel pledges to have all sites using 100% renewable electricity starting in 2022, have all production be CO2 neutral by 2030 and, by 2050, have the entire value chain be CO2 neutral.
“It is our mission to separate the useful from the harmful,” said Jean Gangloff, vice president of Quality & Health Safety Environment. “This is the basis for our business and, at the same time, our responsibility. We take this responsibility seriously.”
The keys to achieving the goals include increasing the company’s own energy efficiency and using renewable energies. In addition, Mann+Hummel will pay closer attention to sustainability in its own supply chain and in the manufacturing process of its own products.
Source: mann-hummel.com
Freudenberg Filtration opens new manufacturing facility in China
Freudenberg Filtration Technologies announced that it has opened a new manufacturing facility in Shunde (Foshan City), China. With a total investment of some 50 million euros and a floor area of 65,000 square meters, the site is the company’s largest manufacturing facility worldwide. The new global research, development and manufacturing hub will produce filters for air purifiers, among others. The investment is driven by an increase in the demand for air and water purifiers.
“China is a strategic market for Freudenberg. Many of our customers are based here and it’s therefore crucial that we also have a local presence,” said Mohsen Sohi, Ph.D., Freudenberg Group CEO.
Home to new administration, production, logistics, warehousing and R&D facilities, the new site in Shunde is almost 60% larger than its predecessor. More than 1,200 people are employed at the site. The new research, development and test center alone covers an area of 4,500 square meters, and the facility houses advanced production lines on an area of around 32,000 square meters. Automated material handling systems are used for the seamless integration of upstream and downstream processes. The new facility also has additional warehousing to support more agile logistics processing.
“Efficient production lines, a modern R&D center and motivated employees will enable us to provide our customers with superb innovations and improved product and service quality,” said Andreas Kreuter, Ph.D., Freudenberg Filtration Technologies CEO.
Source: freudenberg-filter.com
Fraunhofer Institute develops air filtration system capable of filtering microparticles and harmful gases during additive manufacturing
Metal processing with lasers and plasma releases many different pollutants into the ambient air. The Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS, together with partners, has developed a filter system that efficiently removes these substances from the air. The filter can be adapted to the various materials and substances released in each case. In the future, the technology will be used in other applications, such as additive manufacturing.
Microparticles and harmful gases as well as substances are released when metals are processed with lasers or plasma. Metalworking companies usually remove these sub-stances from the workplace using extraction and ventilation systems. Where this is not possible, employees wear protective masks. As production becomes increasingly auto-mated (using production robots for example), less attention is now often paid to emission protection, because people are not permanently present in the facility.
As part of a publicly funded project, Fraunhofer IWS in Dresden developed a filter system together with companies from Saxony, which cleans the air in production rooms and effectively binds a variety of pollutants at the same time. The standard today are activated carbon filter systems, which for example retain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, substances like formaldehyde, nitrogen oxides and problematic sulfur compounds are also often released in metalworking companies and workshops. Laser welding also releases microparticles of metal or welding material. No system has so far been available that removes all substances from the air equally well. As part of the MultiFUN project, the partners have developed such a flexible filter system for the first time. It consists of several exchangeable modules. Each filter level contains a filter medium specifically designed to remove particular substances from the ambient air. In addition to activated carbon, the filter system also uses zeolites and porous polymers, for example, but also so-called metal organic frameworks.
Together with a number of companies, Fraunhofer IWS is currently working on the development of a system that is specifically designed to filter out pollutants and sub-stances that are released during additive manufacturing. “Our institute has expertise in laser processing, in materials and in the development of entire systems,” says Friedrich. “This makes us the right partner when it comes to the development of such filter solutions.” He also believes there is a growing need for filter systems that remove various substances from the air in the production and recycling of batteries. This is particularly the case because metals such as nickel, manganese and cobalt are used there, which can form compounds that are hazardous to health even at very low doses.
Source: iws.fraunhofer.de
Komline-Sanderson continues acquisition spree, adding AquaShield and its stormwater product offering to growing portfolio
Komline-Sanderson, a designer and manufacturer of equipment for wastewater management, environmental control, and other industrial applications, acquired AquaShield, Inc., a manufacturer of products for stormwater runoff, rainwater harvesting, and construction site discharges. The acquisition is Komline’s fourth this year, as the company continues to expand its product and service offerings, manufacturing capacity, and geographic reach.
Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Peapack, New Jersey, Komline manufactures and services liquid and gas filtration and pollution control solutions for a diverse group of customers around the world. Komline recently acquired Illinois-based Barnes International, a manufacturer of coolant filtration equipment, Florida-based Harn R/O Systems, a producer of reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, and low-pressure membrane treatment systems, and South Carolina-based Haselden Company, Inc., an engineering design and installation business of waste-reduction systems serving the food and beverage industry.
AquaShield, founded in 1999 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, designs and manufactures integrated product solutions to meet the growing need for filtration and pollutant removal from stormwater runoff. The company’s products meet or exceed water quality standards in virtually all states and municipalities, including the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Certification Program and Washington State Department of Ecology’s Technology Assessment Program (TAPE).
Source: komline.com
At WEFTEC, Xylem to emphasize the need for partnerships to solve pressing water & wastewater challenges
Xylem is inviting attendees of the 2021 Water Environment Federation’s Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) to visit Booth 1808 and learn how “Extraordinary Times Call for Extraordinary Partnerships.” As the industry evolves, partnerships are becoming increasingly crucial to the optimization and protection of water management. Through booth presentations and live broadcasts presented from Oct. 18-20 at McCormick Place in Chicago, visitors will have the opportunity to see how trusted partnerships along with innovative new products and digital solutions are delivering real-world results for utilities and their communities.
“Working with customers and partners in new and creative ways is helping us take another step closer to solving the world’s water challenges,” said Joe Johnston, Xylem’s vice president, Water Infrastructure North America. “WEFTEC is not only an opportunity to continue advancing water accessibility and affordability through new products and expertise, it also brings the industry together under the Water Environment Federation’s exceptional leadership.”
At Xylem Booth 1808, WEFTEC attendees can learn about how Xylem solves today’s most pressing water challenges:
- Aging infrastructure
- Stormwater and flooding
- Regulatory compliance
- Operating strategy, costs and labor
- Stressed water supply
Visitors will also see examples of how Xylem partners with customers to use Xylem Vue digital solutions to deliver transformative outcomes to their communities, faster and more affordably.
Source: xylem.com
NX Filtration names Marc Luttikhuis CFO
NX Filtration, a global provider of direct nanofiltration technology for water treatment, appointed Marc Luttikhuis (46) as chief financial officer. Marc will join NX Filtration at the beginning of 2022 at NX Filtration’s headquarters in Enschede, the Netherlands. The supervisory board will nominate Marc for appointment as member of the management board at the regular general meeting of shareholders in 2022.
Marc Luttikhuis, new CFO of NX Filtration
Marc Luttikhuis previously held CFO positions at Brink Group (a global manufacturer of towing systems in the automotive industry) and Heuver (a European tire wholesaler), with responsibility for finance, IT, HR and procurement functions. He has a broad financial background with a strong track record of performance improvements and will play a key role in achieving NX Filtration’s ambitions. Marc is a Dutch national and holds a degree in Business Economics, Management & Organization from the University of Groningen (the Netherlands).
Source: nxfiltration.com
Agenda announced for International Water Reuse & Recycling conference
The International Desalination Association has released the agenda for its upcoming IDA 2021 International Water Reuse and Recycling Conference.
The program combines plenary, panel, and technical sessions focusing on advanced water reuse and recycling technologies. A key focus is how to make these technologies more available by seeking exclusive insights from public utility and governmental leaders, and industry stakeholders from around the world.
Presentations will address new technologies, case studies, direct and indirect potable reuse, financial challenges and funding solutions, non-potable and agricultural reuse, monitoring and control, industrial water reuse and recycling, as well as current issues faced by the water reuse and recycling industry today.
View the full agenda at: https://wrr.idadesal.org/agenda-overview/
Source: idadesal.org
DuPont Water Solutions’ OxyMem MABR selected for Anglian Water Triple Carbon Reduction project
DuPont Water Solutions announced OxyMem MABR technology will be used in the Anglian Water Triple Carbon Reduction project, named as one of the nine winners of Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Challenge, sharing in £36 million to deliver wide scale, transformational change to benefit customers, society, and the environment. Run by Ofwat and Nesta Challenges, in partnership with Arup, the Water Breakthrough Challenge is the second competition delivered under Ofwat’s £200 million Innovation Fund.
OxyMem MABR technology will be used in the project to support the following outcomes for water and wastewater customers.
- Eliminate N2O process emissions from secondary wastewater treatment and the associated climate impact on customers through integration of new to market technologies.
- Improve energy efficiency of secondary wastewater treatment and quantify the potential savings that can be passed on to customers.
- Validate how the approach can be scaled up and implemented across the water sector for all customers.
“Knowledge gained from this initiative will provide designers with confidence to tailor more sustainable new-build treatment solutions and could help reduce energy and emissions on the thousands of existing treatment plants across England and Wales over the next decade as the industry strives to achieve 2030 Net Zero Emission goals,” said John McConomy, commercial director for DuPont Water Solutions.
The 9 winning initiatives will receive up to £10 million each to tackle the biggest challenges facing the water sector – from reaching net zero, to protecting our natural ecosystems, to using open data to deliver value to customers, society, and the environment.
Source: dupont.com
Metso Outotec invests in Lappeenranta Filtration Technology Center
Metso Outotec is opening a new laser welding unit at its Filtration Technology Center in Lappeenranta, Finland. The new laser welding unit will add to the center’s manufacturing capacity and enable the production of high-quality welded structures in a safer and more environmentally friendly manner. The value of the investment is approximately one million euros.
“Investing in an efficient laser welding unit is one example of our desire to focus on being an industry leader also in filtration technology. In Lappeenranta, we produce several types of filters used in demanding industrial applications,” said Markku Teräsvasara, President of Metso Outotec’s Minerals business. “We have systematically developed our capabilities in Lappeenranta over the years. Today, the Technology Center for solid-liquid separation, which we opened in 2015, serves customers around the world.”
The Lappeenranta Filtration Technology Center will operate a Dewatering Technology Center (DTC) focused on solid-liquid separation, and will continue to cooperate with the Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology. Metso Outotec has carried out more than 14,000 filtration tests and delivered more than 5,000 filters for various applications worldwide. Most of the filters are sold under the Larox product name along with Metso Outotec corporate branding.
Source: mogroup.com
Ahlstrom-Munksjö enhances FiltEV filter media portfolio for electric vehicles
Ahlstrom-Munksjö announced an expansion of its FiltEV filter media platform for electric vehicles. The new solutions, which are part of the company’s transmission portfolio, offer longer service intervals and optimized processability. The company also expects to add solutions to the FiltEV line for fuel cell air intake in the coming months.
“I am very pleased to introduce our enhanced and expanded range of products from the FiltEV platform,” said Cedric Vallet, head of business development, Industrial Filtration & New Vehicles. “Through the enhancement of our cabin air portfolio, we are offering new filtration solutions delivering better protection for passengers. Better protection against fine particulates, thanks to HEPA media particulate efficiency, and against harmful gases and odors, thanks to increased absorption of a wide range of molecules.”
The addressable annual market opportunity for filtration media used in electric vehicles is expected to grow at around 35% per year up until 2030, reaching approximately EUR 100 million.
Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s FiltEV line of filtration media for electric vehicles was introduced in May 2021.
Source: ahlstrom-munksjo.com
NAFA now accepting registrations for 2021 annual convention
The National Air Filtration Association’s annual convention is accepting registrations for its upcoming event at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, Nov. 2-4, in Clearwater, Florida.
The event is expected to attract 150 professionals in the air filtration industry for three days of presentations and networking events. Featured presentations include:
Keynote: The pandemic in perspective
Bill Bahnfleth, Ph.D., P.E
Professor, Architectural Engineering
Pennsylvania State University
Navigating the new normal – tackling key employment issues
Caren Skversky Marlowe
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Air quality monitoring – sensor technologies for a data driven future
Zach Konway, Chemist
Kaiterra
Recognizing that there are individuals uncomfortable traveling or unable to travel during this time, NAFA is offering a virtual attendance option. In-person attendance is strongly encouraged, if possible, for networking opportunities. Virtual attendance registration includes access to educational sessions via Zoom and a link to recordings post-event.
Full registration details: https://netforum.avectra.com/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=NAFA&WebCode=EventDetail&evt_key=a291760f-ca0c-49cc-9463-fc8c6421a0ff
Source: nafahq.org
