FILTECH 2024, held in Cologne, Germany (November 12-14 2024), set a new record with over 590 exhibitors, demonstrating cutting-edge air and water filtration systems meeting stringent safety standards.
Industries such as food and beverage processing, as well as mining and mineral extraction, were at the forefront of this event, showcasing the latest advancements in filtration technologies.
Filtration in Food and Beverage Industries
In the food and beverage sector, ensuring product safety and quality is crucial, as even the smallest impurity can compromise shelf life or cause batch loss.
Advanced filter membranes are integral to purification processes in the production of items like milk, cheese, sugar, and sweeteners.
Biofilters play a significant role in removing contaminants such as bacteria, parasites, arsenic, and unwanted flavors, ensuring the purity of both water and food products. Filtration is also vital in the brewing of tea and coffee, where maintaining taste is paramount.
Filtration Systems in Mining Operations
The mining industry faces its own set of stringent regulations, particularly regarding the control of dust, wastewater, and emissions.
Filtration systems play an essential role in these operations by efficiently recycling water used in mineral processing, reducing consumption and environmental impact.
Automated filter presses, developed by leading companies like Andritz, Diemme, and Metso, are particularly effective in dewatering hazardous tailings, preventing the creation of tailings ponds that could pose environmental and safety risks.
Filtration systems improve product purity by removing unwanted solids, enhancing both quality and market value, and recovering valuable fine minerals that would otherwise be lost.
International Growth and Attendance at FILTECH 2024
FILTECH 2024 saw significant international participation, with 61% of visitors coming from outside Germany.
This increase in international guests from regions like North Africa, South America, the Middle East, and established hubs in Europe, the USA, and Asia highlights the growing global importance of filtration technology.
The FILTECH 2024 conference presented over 200 lectures, covering all aspects of the filtration industry.
Optimizing Filter Media Efficiency
At FILTECH 2024, a key focus was on optimizing woven and nonwoven filter media efficiency.
The challenge lies in balancing a material’s ability to capture and retain dust or particles with its pressure drop – its resistance to air, liquid, or gas flow.
Advances in filter media involve extensive research to improve this balance, ensuring better performance with less energy consumption.
Among the innovations introduced were concepts like high-performance membranes at the nanoscale and the use of AI and digital twins to further refine filtration processes.
Emerging Trends in Filter Media
One major trend highlighted at FILTECH 2024 was the growing integration of nanofiber particles into nonwoven materials.
The increasing use of sustainable raw materials complements these advances as alternatives to synthetic fibers.
Notably, manufacturers of nanofiber production technologies such as Elmarco and Invenso are exploring renewable feedstocks and eco-friendly solvents to produce electrospun nanofibers.
These innovations include materials like PETG, PLA, and polycaprolactone (PL), as well as natural cellulose and chitosan, which offer excellent water uptake properties.
Innovative Nonwoven Media
FILTECH 2024 also showcased several ground-breaking nonwoven media developments.
MecNa, introduced by Mativ brand Gessner, features individual nanofibers integrated directly into the nonwoven at the formation stage, enhancing both durability and performance.
ProLine, a new patented media from Hollingsworth and Vose, offers improved dirt holding capacity and air permeability by altering fiber density and orientation, resulting in more efficient filtration.
Speeding Up the Pleating Process
Another key trend observed at the exhibition was the increasing adoption of filter media pleating.
This process, which enhances the surface area and density of filters without compromising airflow, allows more particles to be captured while minimizing pressure drop and energy consumption.
Companies like JCEM, Roth Composite Machinery, and A2Z Technologies continue to refine pleating technology, with speeds now reaching over 500 pleats per minute.
Driving Innovation in Filtration Technology
Suzanne Abetz, Managing Director of FILTECH, expressed her amazement at the continuous innovation in the filtration industry.
She emphasized the growing role of filtration technology in emerging markets such as vehicle electrification, hydrogen transportation, and carbon capture.
As the industry pushes the boundaries of technology, FILTECH exhibitions and conferences remain a key platform for industry professionals to stay at the forefront of these advancements.
As per the press release, the next FILTECH exhibition and conference will be held in Cologne from June 30 to July 2, 2026, and attendees are encouraged to join this important event.
