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: January 23, 2025
Messer Expands with New Air Separation Unit in Arkansas
Messer, a leading industrial gases company, announced a strategic investment of over $70 million to construct a state-of-the-art air separation unit (ASU) in Berryville, Arkansas. The new facility will address the growing demand for industrial gases in the southern part of the US, reinforcing Messer’s commitment to supporting expanding industries in the region
“Our new ASU in Berryville underscores Messer’s commitment to fueling growth in the South,” said Elena Skvortsova, President & CEO of Messer Americas. “This investment reflects our dedication to providing a dependable supply of industrial gases like oxygen and nitrogen to meet the evolving needs of our customers in food and beverage, healthcare, metals, chemicals, and many more industries. I also would like to note that Messer appreciates the working relationship with the City of Berryville. Without their dedication to this project, it would not have been possible.”
Messer’s site in Berryville will create quality career opportunities, will employ more than 20 people and provide temporary local jobs during the construction phase of the project. This new ASU will also complement the company’s existing facility in Lewisville, Arkansas, enhancing production capacity to meet the increasing demand for essential gases.
Filtration Technology Expands Manufacturing Facility to Meet Growing Demand
Filtration Technology Corporation® (FTC) is expanding manufacturing headquarters in Houston, Texas to meet escalating demand for its innovative filtration and separation solutions. The new facility will increase manufacturing and operations space by 55,000 square feet, bringing the total footprint to 130,000 square feet. This growth underscores FTC’s commitment to scaling for future demand while strengthening its global presence, marked by the transition of its website to FTCFilters.com. The expansion was recently completed in December 2024.
“This expansion gives us the capacity and flexibility to continue delivering high-quality solutions to our customers while preparing for sustained growth,” said Tyler Johnson, President and CEO of FTC. “The added space allows us to stay ahead of market demand and uphold our commitment to innovation and excellence in serving the industrial fluid processing industry.”
By investing in duplicate and triplicate equipment, such as automated seaming, cutting, capping and pleating machines, storage technologies, and additional generator capacity, the new facility minimizes the risk of downtime and ensures steady production for their customers. Additionally, an expanded R&D center now includes a state-of-the-art Scanning Electron Microscope to support the development of next-generation filtration solutions.
Metso Celebrates New Screen Center Inauguration
Metso celebrated the inauguration of its new screen center in Germiston, Johannesburg, South Africa, in January with customers and other key stakeholders. The new facility developed on an assembly test and paint basis will significantly increase Metso’s supply and delivery capabilities of screening solutions.
Metso offers a wide range of screening solutions and services designed to meet regional specifications and needs.
Metso’s screen offering consists of among other things the high-performance energy and water efficient UFS Series™ (Ultra Fine Screen), EF Series™ (Ellipti-Flo) and BSE Series™ (Banana Screen Elliptical) screens that are part of the Metso Plus offering, and horizontal screens, inclined screens, mobile screens, portable screens, and ultrafine screens. With Trellex® screening media solutions that range from rubber and polyurethane to classic wire, Metso offers versatile screening media systems for a wide range of screening applications.
UNC Charlotte Professor Bring PFAS Filter to Public
Professor Jordan Poler at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) has been working for eight years to develop new technology to help strip PFAS or forever chemicals and other contaminants from drinking water. PFAS have been linked to health problems – including an increased risk for cancer and can be found in non-stick cookware that contains Teflon, firefighting foam and some makeup.
“They bioaccumulate in your body until they reach a toxic level,” said Poler. “Then you have health concerns including cancer, fetal early childbirth and things like that.”
Poler’s technology could help make those forever chemicals disappear. Last fall, the chemistry professor received one of eight inaugural grants from the NC Innovation Grant Project. The grant will help Poler scale up his research to partner with a manufacturer that could sell it to the public.
His research involves a process called ion exchange, which, works by trading an atom or group of atoms (ions) with ones that do not degrade the quality of drinking water. The chemistry developed in Poler’s lab is all water-based. Poler showed how his technology filters those harmful chemicals out by pouring colored water to represent the PFAS into a tube with the zeolite. After gently shaking for 30 seconds the color/chemicals disappeared.
“As the water’s going through, the molecules are seeing these brushes and they just grab onto them, the brushes grab onto the molecules right away,” he explained in interviews.
Traditional filters like those in refrigerators or under the sink, remove PFAS, but Poler says the chemicals are not really gone. “What you’ve done is you’ve concentrated all the impurities onto that filter and then you put it into the landfill and all those impurities leach back out.”
Poler’s research shows his method not only removes the PFAS but it can also be regenerated. “We can keep on going for hundreds of cycles without any loss in performance so it’s a sustainable solution to a really difficult environmental problem,” he said.
Poler hopes with the grant investment they will be able to sell the filter materials to the public within a year. Since the materials can be regenerated, customers would be able to send in their filter to be cleaned and then replaced without causing any harm to the environment.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
Process Solutions International Launches New Cleaning and Filtration Systems
Process Solutions International (PSI), a leader in industrial solutions, announced the release of its new PSI Max 2000 cleaning and filtration systems. These cutting-edge systems are designed to improve efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in various industries, including manufacturing, energy, and oil and gas.
With industries facing increasing demands for cleaner processes and greater operational efficiency, PSI Max 2000 systems aim to address these challenges with advanced technology and customizable configurations. The launch marks a significant step in providing industries with tools to enhance productivity while maintaining environmental compliance.
Key features of PSI Max 2000 are
Advanced Filtration Technology: Effectively removes contaminants to meet industry standards.
Customizable Configurations: Designed to suit diverse operational needs across sectors.
Minimized Downtime: Reduces maintenance requirements, enabling uninterrupted operations.
Sustainability Focus: Incorporates energy-efficient designs and waste-reduction features.
Robust Construction: Built to endure demanding industrial environments.
“Industries today require solutions that combine efficiency with sustainability,” said a PSI spokesperson. “The PSI Max 2000 systems are engineered to help businesses meet these objectives, providing reliable performance tailored to their specific needs.”
Filtration Group Names Peter Clifford Chief Financial Officer
Filtration Group, one of the world’s leading filtration and separation science companies, announced the appointment of Peter Clifford as Chief Financial Officer. He will join the business on January 27, 2025.
With extensive experience driving transformative growth at major industrial and manufacturing companies, Clifford brings nearly 30 years of proven financial and operational leadership to the role and will be instrumental in the successful implementation of the company’s strategic plans.
Clifford joins Filtration Group from The AZEK Company, a $1.5 billion manufacturer of sustainable outdoor living products, where he served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to AZEK, Peter held executive leadership roles at publicly traded Cantel Medical Corp, where he served as President and COO from 2019 to 2021 and as CFO from 2015 to 2019. During that time, he led the company through transformative growth and a successful acquisition by STERIS.
Prior to his roles at AZEK and Cantel Medical, Clifford spent nine years at IDEX Corporation as Divisional CFO for multiple billion-dollar segments, and six years at GE’s Consumer & Industrial Group.
Metso Receives Large Filtration Equipment Order from India
Metso has received an order to deliver sustainable filtration technology for a long-distance iron ore slurry pipeline project. The technology will be used for concentrate filtration to produce iron ore pellets from pellet plants in India. The order value, which is not disclosed, is booked in the Minerals segment’s 2024 fourth-quarter orders received.
Metso’s scope of delivery consists of the engineering, manufacturing and supply of 16 Larox® FFP3512 filters, slurry feed and filtrate pumps, as well as installation and commissioning advisory services and spare parts.
The fully automatic, fast-opening filter press (FFP) is part of the Metso Plus offering. The filter combines the benefits of membrane technology with hole-less filter cloths and sidebar design with high mechanical and process performance, providing safe and sustainable high-volume dewatering of concentrate with low operating and life cycle costs.
Cleanova Expands Product Offering with Acquisition of Allied Filter
Cleanova, a clean tech, market-leading global manufacturer of industrial filtration systems, announced the successful acquisition of Allied Filter Systems Group Limited, and its subsidiaries, a leading European manufacturer of high-performance aftermarket filter bags and filter vessels for the process industries based in the UK.
Headquartered in Irlam, in the Manchester Area, Allied Filter is committed to producing high quality liquid filtration systems and has established a strong reputation for innovation, reliability and best-in-class customer service. Its values strongly reflect Cleanova’s focus on pioneering advanced filtration solutions while maintaining a steadfast commitment to its customers.
Allied Filter operates from three UK manufacturing facilities that blend innovative, custom-designed production techniques and traditional manufacturing methods.
Cleanova, a portfolio company of PX3 Partners, the London headquartered private equity firm, leverages innovative thinking and established technology to deliver cutting-edge filtration solutions. The acquisition of Allied Filter supports Cleanova’s strategic vision to expand globally and solidify its leadership in the industrial filtration market. This transaction reflects Cleanova’s commitment to growth, innovation, and delivering superior products while strengthening its presence in the European market, broadening its end-market diversification, and enhancing its focus on aftermarket capabilities.
Axius Water® Acquires Aero-Mod, a Leader in Mechanical and Biological Treatment
Axius Water, a leading provider of nutrient management solutions for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities, announced that it has acquired Aero-Mod, a leading supplier of proprietary mechanical/biological wastewater treatment systems based in Manhattan, KS. This acquisition enables Axius to further expand its nutrient removal solutions for water and wastewater.
Specializing in smaller, low to medium flow volume applications, Aero-Mod provides end to end packaged mechanical treatment plants for a variety of municipal and industrial customers.
According to Chris McIntire, Axius Water CEO, “Aero-Mod comes to us with a reputation for exceptional customer support combined with simple, scalable solutions that are cost efficient. These attributes differentiate Aero-Mod from their peers and make them a good strategic fit for Axius.”
Todd L. Steinbach, Aero-Mod President, stated, “Since 1981, Aero-Mod has built significant expertise and has completed more than five hundred installations. We are thrilled to begin a new chapter as part of Axius to support our shared mission of stopping nutrient pollution and collaborate with Axius’ industry experts.”
Aero-Mod’s technology highlights include the patented Sequox® process which includes alternating aerobic and anoxic cycles plus clarification capabilities for BOD removal, nitrification, denitrification and biological phosphorus removal.
Vytal Filtration Technologies Acquires General Filtration
VYTAL Filtration Technologies in Canada, a leader in innovative filtration solutions, announced the acquisition of General Filtration, a trusted name in industrial filtration with over 65 years experience in the brewing, food and beverage, water treatment, chemical, power generation, mining, and petrochemical markets. This strategic acquisition solidifies VYTAL’s position as a comprehensive provider of filtration solutions, further extending its reach into the Food & Beverage industry.
With VYTAL’s expansive network across North America and General Filtration’s decades of expertise, the combined organizations are uniquely positioned to deliver innovative solutions to meet evolving customer demands. This collaboration enhances both companies’ capabilities and underscores their shared commitment to supporting customers with tailored, high-quality filtration technologies.
The integration of General Filtration’s renowned products into VYTAL’s portfolio offers customers a seamless blend of innovative filtration options. Moving forward, General Filtration will operate as General Filtration, A Vytal Company. Together, the companies look forward to delivering enhanced value through a unified commitment to excellence and problem-solving in the filtration industry.
Applied Industrial Technologies Completes Acquisition of Hydradyne, LLC
Applied Industrial Technologies announced it completed the acquisition of Hydradyne, LLC on December 31, 2024. Based in Dallas, Texas with locations across the Southeastern U.S., Hydradyne is a premier provider of fluid power solutions with advanced service capabilities and product offerings in hydraulics, pneumatics, electromechanical, instrumentation, filtration, and fluid conveyance.
Neil A. Schrimsher, President & Chief Executive Officer for Applied, commented, “We are excited to announce the completion of this acquisition and officially welcome Hydradyne to the Applied team. This transaction will enhance our leading fluid power distribution position in the U.S. by leveraging complementary technical capabilities and innovative engineered solutions across legacy and emerging end markets.
Applied affirms it expects the acquisition will contribute approximately $260 million in sales and $30 million in EBITDA before anticipated synergies, as well as be accretive to EPS, within the first 12 months of ownership prior to transaction-related expenses and the impact of purchase accounting adjustments. Additional financial and operational details, including EPS accretion guidance, will be provided when it reports fiscal 2025 second quarter results later this month.
UL Researchers Make Breakthrough in ‘Forever Chemical’ Filtration
Researchers at Bernal Institute and University of Limerick in Ireland along with colleagues from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany have developed a new material that can eliminate so-called ‘forever chemicals’ from water, also known as PFAS.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been in use since the 1940s. Due to their ability to resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water, PFAS have been widely used across a range of industrial and consumer applications, from non-stick cookware and water-repellent fabrics to firefighting foams and industrial processes.
However, their chemical stability — key to their effectiveness in these uses — also means they persist in the environment and the human body. Known as ‘forever chemicals’, the substances can accumulate in the body via food and drinking water and cause serious illnesses. Prolonged exposure can cause liver damage, tumours and hormonal disorders and they are considered a severe threat to human health.
The researchers at Bernal, UL and TUM have developed a new, efficient method of filtering these substances out of drinking water. They rely on so-called metal-organic framework compounds, which work much better than the materials commonly used to date. Even extremely low concentrations of PFAS in the water can still be captured.
Dr. Soumya Mukherjee, member of the Bernal Institute and an Assistant Professor of Materials Chemistry at UL’s Department of Chemical Sciences, working with researchers in TUM, developed the porous, sponge-like metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that can filter these PFAS chemicals out of drinking water.
“The filters delivered removal performance even when they were present in extremely low concentrations of a few parts per billion, that is, only a handful of PFAS molecules among billions of water molecules,” explained Dr Mukherjee.
It will take some time before this can be scaled up to broad use by waterworks.
