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: April 27, 2026
INDA Opens Nominations for the 2026 FiltXPO™ Innovation Awards
INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, in collaboration with International Filtration News, has officially opened nominations for the 2026 FiltXPO™ Innovation Awards. Filtration professionals are invited to submit their most innovative products—or those of their customers—for industry-wide recognition.
The FiltXPO Innovation Awards celebrate excellence in filtration by honoring products and technologies introduced since FiltXPO 2023. Submissions are now being accepted across three categories.
Award Categories:
- Air Filtration Innovation
- Liquid Filtration Innovation
- Equipment Innovation
All nominations must be submitted by July 27, 2026. Finalists will be selected by INDA’s Technical Advisory Board, with the top three entries in each category advancing to the final round. Winners will be determined through industry voting hosted on the International Filtration News website.
Award recipients will be announced live at FiltXPO 2026, taking place October 28–29, 2026, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
For full award criteria and eligibility requirements, visit:
https://www.inda.org/awards/filtexpo-innovation-award.html
To submit a nomination, visit:
https://www.filtnews.com/filtxpo-awards/
For additional information, contact Matt O’Sickey, PhD, Director of Education & Technical Affairs, at mosickey@inda.org.
Cleanova Launches OMNI™ Feed Interface System
Cleanova, a global leader in advanced filtration solutions, announced the launch of Cleanova OMNI™, a patent-pending feed interface system engineered to address one of the most critical and often overlooked sources of inefficiency in filter press operations: the point where slurry enters the press.
Designed for universal compatibility across a wide range of filter press configurations, plate designs, and sizes, OMNI™ establishes a more durable, consistent, and high-performing foundation for filtration — enabling operators to improve reliability without requiring major equipment changes. By re-engineering the feed interface, Cleanova OMNI™ helps transform filtration performance – reducing unplanned downtime, improving system reliability, and extending cloth life in demanding applications.
In many filter press operations, performance challenges such as premature cloth failure, leakage, and inconsistent filtration results can be traced back to the feed interface — where high-velocity slurry, abrasion, and sealing limitations place significant stress on the system.
By addressing performance at the source, OMNI™ improves filtration stability, extends cloth life, and reduces unplanned downtime in demanding operating environments.
Unlike conventional feed interface designs that are often limited to specific OEM equipment, Cleanova OMNI™ has been developed as a universally adaptable solution. The system can be deployed across a broad range of plate sizes and is compatible with sidebar, overhead beam, and quad press configurations.
Filter King LLC Launches Limited-Edition Freedom Filters™
Filter King LLC announced the launch of Freedom Filters, a limited-edition range of HVAC air filters created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The Freedom Filter collection features a patriotic design incorporating a navy-blue frame with white stars, red side panels marked “250,” and an American eagle motif.
Freedom Filters are manufactured in the USA and use electrostatically charged synthetic media to capture airborne particles including pet dander, dust, pollen and mold spores.
“Filter King wants to mark America’s 250th birthday milestone in a way that reflects who we are as a company – American-made, quality-driven, and committed to giving back,” said Kristaps Brencans, chief marketing officer at Filter King.
DuPont Launches Ultrafiltration Modules with Integrated Pre-Filter
DuPont announced the launch of Inge™ ultrafiltration modules with integrated pre-filter (iP-F). Where conventional ultrafiltration plant processes require a separate pre-filtration manifold to remove debris and particulates, the integrated pre-filter offering combines pre-filtration and ultrafiltration into a single module housing—which can help reduce plant footprint and the associated capital and operational costs of standalone pre-filtration units.
The new product line maintains the same membrane materials, dimensions, and drinking water certifications as existing Inge™ UF modules, while combining two filtration steps into one. Inge™ UF modules with iP-F are well suited for new installations, plant expansions, and containerized systems where space efficiency and streamlined operations are critical.
“By combining pre-filtration and ultrafiltration into a single unit operation, Inge™ ultrafiltration modules with integrated pre-filter will help customers simplify plant design while protecting their UF membrane investment,” said Dorie Yontz, Global Marketing Leader, Drinking Water & Desalination at DuPont Water Solutions. “The result is a more compact, efficient solution that supports reliable performance across a range of water qualities.”
Inge™ UF modules with iP‑F can provide consistent permeate quality, pathogen removal, and tolerance to feedwater quality swings—all in a smaller footprint than conventional media filters and traditional UF plant designs with upstream prefilters. System performance and design scenarios can be evaluated using DuPont’s WAVE PRO modeling software, helping customers assess treatment configurations as part of the overall process design.
Rensa Filtration Acquires Air Filters Northwest & AFNW® Services
Rensa Filtration, an Audax Private Equity portfolio company and vertically integrated manufacturer and distributor of consumable, mission-critical air filtration solutions, announced that it recently acquired Air Filters Northwest and AFNW® Services.
AFNW was founded more than 30 years ago in Portland, Oregon and has since established air filter distribution and service teams in several locations across the U.S. Air Filters Northwest and AFNW® Services provide high quality air filtration solutions for applications including healthcare, semiconductor fabs, and data centers.
Brandon Ost, CEO and Founder of Rensa Filtration, noted, “We’re excited to partner with Doug and Charlene Potter who founded the business together in 1993. Doug has been an innovator and forward-thinking business leader in the air filtration industry and he and his team helped develop and commercialize innovative solutions including InfiniPleat® air filters which use Rensa’s fully synthetic IREMA-Filter media and proprietary pleating technologies. AFNW’s service teams provide comprehensive on-site support that ranges from filter installation and testing to used filter recycling. We look forward to partnering with the AFNW management team, employees, and customers during this next phase of growth for the business.”
The acquisition marks the tenth air filtration acquisition since Audax invested in Rensa in 2022. “In the last year, the Rensa team has organized its North American business into two divisions: Rensa Filter Manufacturing, which produces air filters for OEMs, distributors and major end-users, and Rensa Filter Distribution, which has filter distribution centers supported by sales and service teams in multiple locations across the U.S.,” noted Joe Rogers, a partner at Audax Private Equity.
Atmus Opens Expanded Testing Laboratory at Quimper, France Site
Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc., a global leader in filtration and media solutions, has opened a new state-of-the-art laboratory facility at its Quimper, France, location, reinforcing the company’s commitment to advancing filtration technology and reducing testing lead times for customers.
The modernized testing facility strengthens Atmus’ global laboratory network, resulting in an experience that better supports its customers and positions the company to meet future needs. By enhancing the European infrastructure, testing that previously required support from other global sites will now be performed locally, improving speed, flexibility and coordination within Atmus’ global testing network.
Designed as a modern, purpose-built environment, the facility provides the right foundation to enable future testing capabilities, including multivariate testing that more accurately simulates real-world operating conditions. With upgraded infrastructure, Atmus can conduct more comprehensive validation testing to meet the requirements of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications.
The Quimper laboratory is certified to automotive IATF 16949 and laboratory ISO 17025 standards and conducts more than 5,000 filter tests annually, supporting both liquid and air or aerosol applications.
The facility is one of five Atmus testing laboratories worldwide that operate as “One Global Lab,” enabling collaboration and shared expertise across locations. Performing testing closer to the customer also helps reduce the need for inter-site shipping and travel, supporting Atmus’ environmental commitment by lowering associated carbon impacts. Other Atmus laboratories are located in Pune, India, and Wuhan, China, as well as Cookeville, Tenn. and Stoughton, Wisc., in the United States.
Metso Appoints Jonathan Allen as Chief Growth Officer
Jonathan Allen has been appointed Metso’s Chief Growth Officer as of May 1, 2026, responsible for the Business Growth function consisting of Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, AI, Data & Analytics, Sustainability, Safety, Quality, Communications & Public Affairs, Marketing & Brand and Corporate Procurement. He will be member of the Metso Leadership team and will report to President and CEO Sami Takaluoma. Jonathan succeeds Claudia Genin who will leave Metso latest by August 2026 as previously announced.
Jonathan joined Metso in 2005 and has most recently held the role of Senior Vice President, Grinding, Bulk, Pyro & Smelting business line and is part of the Services business area leadership team. During his over 20 years at Metso, he has held several leadership positions in France and USA. He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University, USA.
Focus on Nonwovens for Filter Media
Under its Neumag brand, Barmag will present its technologies for the production of nonwovens for filter media at this year’s FILTECH. From June 30 to July 2, the company will be represented at the Cologne trade fair in Hall 8, Booth E68.
The main focus is on solutions for producing high-performance filter media at competitive costs. Here, Neumag excels in both the meltblown sector and with its spunbond solutions.
Neumag’s meltblown technology enables the efficient and straightforward production of high-performance nonwovens for filtration, insulation, and sorption applications. A wide variety of polymers can be processed—from classic polyolefins such as PP and PE, through PET, PLA, PBT, and PA, to specialty plastics like PPS or TPU. All of these and other raw materials can be processed safely and reliably using the Neumag meltblown process.
The hycuTEC hydrocharging technology, which was honored with the Edana Filtrex Innovation Award, enables the production of particularly high-performance electret filter media. This allows the pressure drop of a typical FFP2 filter medium to be reduced to less than a quarter. “Filtration efficiencies of over 99.99% are easily achievable with standard media weighing around 35 g/m² and a maximum pressure drop of 35 Pa,” explains Andreas Frisch, Regional Sales Director Nonwoven. “Furthermore, the additional drying step is eliminated in most applications—another advantage of this innovative technology,” he adds.
Spunbond nonwovens are becoming increasingly important in filtration—both as carrier materials and as standalone filter media. By tailoring nonwoven structures specifically to the task at hand, customer-specific requirements can be precisely met. It is also possible to combine multiple functions within a single layer.
In particular, the company’s long-standing expertise in bicomponent spinning processes opens up new possibilities in the design of innovative nonwoven structures. The Neumag Bico spunbond process allows for the combination of different fiber cross-sections as well as the simultaneous production of different fibers from one or more polymers on a single line. The spectrum ranges from classic core-sheath and side-by-side filaments to split fibers and so-called mixed fibers.
German Industrial Pump Specialist Lutz Holding Expands Into Italy
Lutz Holding GmbH, a German group of companies specializing in professional fluid management, is expanding its international presence. The new branch office “Lutz-Jesco Italia S.r.l.” in Milan is set to become the foundation for long-term growth in one of Europe’s key regions. The new branch office builds upon an established sales partnership with the renowned Italian pump manufacturer ARGAL.
The Italian market has gained increasing importance for Lutz Holding in recent years. “Italy has a strong industrial base and is one of the key markets in Southern Europe for water and wastewater technology, chemical dosing and environmental technology,” said Susanne Maurer, member of the management board of Lutz Holding GmbH and CEO of Lutz-Jesco Italia S.r.l. In these sectors, the group’s industrial pumps and water treatment technologies are playing an increasingly important role. “The new branch office strengthens our local presence, enabling us to assist customers in Italy more effectively throughout the entire process – from planning and commissioning to after-sales service.”
Kemira Completes Full-Scale US Trial of Chlorine-Free Wastewater Treatment
Kemira, a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water-intensive industries, announced that it has successfully completed the first US full-scale trial of its chlorine-free wastewater treatment technology, KemConnect® DEX, with Capital Region Water, the advanced wastewater treatment facility serving the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and surrounding municipalities. This milestone was achieved in just eight months after the core ingredient of DEX was registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for commercial use in the US.
The KemConnect DEX solution is uniquely based on performic acid, a fast-acting, sustainable alternative to traditional chlorine-based microbial control. Results from the one-month full-scale trial demonstrate that even at low doses, Kemira’s performic acid-based solution quickly reduces bacteria levels and rapidly auto-degrades into readily biodegradable compounds, which exhibit low environmental persistence- thereby improving water quality, while minimizing environmental impact.
The technology behind KemConnect DEX automates treatment dosing based on real-time data, with flexible feed-rate capabilities that enable operators to consistently meet required bacterial limits despite weather-driven fluctuations in flow and water quality. The DEX technology platform is also installed on-site, enabling facilities to modernize their infrastructure without the considerable costs and investment often required by many chlorine-based solutions and UV treatment alternatives.
