The 2026 edition of FILTECH will gather the filtration and separation industry in Cologne, Germany, for three days of learning and networking.
Organizers of FILTECH 2026 — a trade show focused on technological advancements and innovations in the field of filtration and separation — note that filtration is key to efficiency and quality in production and that without separation technology, there is no purity. “Whether it’s purified air, cleanroom technology or liquid media free of contaminants: filtration and separation are the key to safety and quality,” reports organizer Germany-based FILTECH Exhibitions Germany GmbH.
The event is held every 18 months, with the next edition taking place Tuesday, June 30 to Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the Cologne Exhibition Center (KoelnMesse) in Cologne, Germany. Halls 7 and 8 will fill with more than 600 exhibitors from more than 40 countries showcasing a comprehensive overview of the latest technologies and material developments. Visitors can learn about current trends in filtration, network with suppliers and find solutions for their specific requirements.
FILTECH 2024 was the largest event to date for the trade show hosting more than 590 exhibitors. Some 61.4 percent of participants came from outside Germany, with significant increases seen in registered guests from South America, Northern Africa and the Middle East. This international and intercultural event hosted participants from 80 nations and every continent. In a post-event review, organizers reported that exhibitors noted a high number of contacts with decision makers, as well as an openness from visitors to invest with concrete business deals and contract negotiations taking place on site.
Educational Opportunities
The 2026 FILTECH conference will offer more than 160 scientific presentations hosted by industry and academic experts.
The program opens with a plenary session by Dr. Habil Ioannis Nicolaou, owner and director of Cyprus-based Nikifos who will present “Cake-Forming Filtration of Suspensions — Challenges and Solutions.” Over the three days, the conference will host multiple other keynote presentations.
The conference program aims to offer a representative look at all processes and applications within the fields of filtration and separation. Sessions are broken down into eight topic areas: Solid-Liquid Separation; Solid-Gas Separation; Membrane Processes; Testing, Instrumentation, Control; Simulation and Modeling; Filter Media; Product Related Processes; and Special Topics. To help attendees locate the sessions of greatest interest, the schedule is also color coded into four groups — Filter Media, Gas, Liquid and Membrane.
As a platform for scientific exchange, the conference also offers an opportunity for discussion as well as education.
For visitors wanting a deeper dive into filtration education, FILTECH 2026 offers three short course options taking place on June 29 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. The available courses are:
- “Solid/Liquid Separation”— a comprehensive review of the processes involved in the separation of solids from liquids.
- “Air Cleaning and Dust Separation” — a comprehensive review of the processes involved in the separation of solid or liquid particles from gases.
- “The World of Nonwovens” — an introductory course covering topics like raw materials, introduction to the different nonwoven manufacturing technologies, as well as characterization and testing of nonwovens.
Course instructors are industry experts and university professors. More in-depth information and a registration link for the courses can be found on the FILTECH website.
Register To Attend
FILTECH 2026 presents an opportunity for visitors to learn about new technologies and industry developments, witness trends and discover solutions for improving their processes.
“The filtration industry is constantly evolving with new technologies and solutions to address various environmental, industrial and health challenges,” noted FILTECH 2024 participant Karan Bhardwaj, CMS Global. “FILTECH is yet another platform, which has evolved as one of the biggest filtration shows to showcase the latest solutions for filtration technologies.”
Charlie Easey, engineering director at England-based Purex International Ltd. also took part in FILTECH 2024. “Spoke to some great people and it’s fantastic to see so many companies committed to filtration,” he said. “The research papers on display showed some really good innovations.”
The FILTECH show floor is open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. June 30 and July 1, and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. July 2.
Plenary/Keynote Talks During Filtech 2026
Opening Plenary Session:
“Cake-Forming Filtration of Suspensions — Challenges and Solutions”
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Habil Ioannis Nicolaou, owner and director, Nikifos
June 30, 10:45 a.m.-noon
Keynote: “Carbon Negative
Biochar Filter: Market Development for ESG and Climate Solutions”
Prof. Dr. Yong Sik Ok, Korea University
June 30, 1:00 p.m.-2:15 p.m., Room 1
Keynote: “Insights into shearenhanced dynamic filtration:
Advancements and applications in solid-liquid separation”
Prof. Su-En Wu, Chung Yuan Christian University
June 30, 2:45 p.m.-4:00 p.m., Room 1
Keynote: “How can we bridge the gap between indoor air quality and energy efficiency?”
Prof. Dr. Jennifer Niessner, Heilbronn, University of Applied Sciences
June 30, 4:45 p.m.-6:00 p.m., Room 1
Keynote: “The dirty side of filtration — possibilities, limits and new
developments in filter cake washing”
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Hoffner, Technical University of Applied Science Mannheim; and Prof. Dr. Urs Peuker, TU Bergakademie Freiberg
July 1, 10:45 a.m.-noon, Room 1
Keynote: “PM removal from combustion fumes: How to tackle regulation, energy efficiency and decarbonization”
Prof. Dr. Laurence Le Coq, IMT Atlantique Nantes
July 1, 1:00 p.m.-2:15 p.m., Room 1
For more information about FILTECH 2026 and to register, please visit filtech.de.
