Sales of nonwoven air/gas and liquid filtration media, worth $6.1 billion in 2024, are projected to increase strongly, according to Smithers. This will increase to $10.1 billion in 2029 (at constant pricing). The sector will experience a 10.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) according to a new report. Across the forecast period, global consumption of nonwovens for filtration will increase from 826,500 metric tons in 2024 to 1.1 million tons in 2029, equivalent to a 5.9% CAGR. (For more information, see page 18.)

Growth in filtration will be attributed to a number of factors including increasing water and air pollution; regulatory forces; green building; electric vehicles and automotive filtration and demand for biodegradable nonwoven filter media. In response, makers and converters of nonwovens for filtration media applications continue to invest in new technologies and develop new solutions for their customers.

Ahlstrom Continues Expansion

A long-time leader in nonwovens for filtration, Ahlstrom completed work on a state-of-the-art production line for molecular filtration media at its Turin site in Italy in June 2025. This major investment strengthens Ahlstrom’s leadership in the molecular filtration market and enhances its ability to serve the growing global demand for high-performance specialty materials.  

Equipped with the latest technologies, the new production line offers a high degree of customization and design flexibility. It enables precise tuning of adsorptive performance through detailed control of adsorbent types, blends and content levels. The investment is complemented by a molecular filtration test bench to better support filtration manufacturers in developing high-performance filtration solutions.   

The investment complements the existing Ahlstrom Trinitex Carbon platform by targeting the growing demand for premium molecular applications such as cabin and fuel cell air intake filtration, as well as HVAC and cleanroom.  

“This new asset reflects our ambition to drive innovation in filtration and takes our molecular filtration expertise to the next level,” says Giuseppe Costa, vice president, Global Filtration. “By expanding our capabilities, we are ensuring that our customers continue to receive the reliable, high-quality solutions they expect from us.“  

In addition to new products, Ahlstrom continues to focus on new product development to expand its filtration business. Earlier this year, the company enhanced its Ahlstrom Eco line, which was first introduced in 2023. The media combine a proprietary lignin-based impregnation, replacing fossil-based resin with a renewable, bio-based cellulose filtration media. This innovation significantly reduces reliance on non-renewable resources while maintaining exceptional durability, mechanical strength and filtration performance.

Designed for liquid and air filtration, Ahlstrom Eco is ideal for engine oil and engine air intake filtration, as well as for industrial filtration systems operating under challenging conditions. By delivering superior filtration performance, it helps optimize equipment protection while contributing to a lower environmental impact.

“At Ahlstrom, we are committed to leading the transition to more sustainable filtration solutions,” says Stephanie Pigeot-Rémy, Ahlstrom’s head of Global R&D and Product Development, Filtration. “Since launching Ahlstrom Eco, we have strengthened our expertise and production capacity, enabling us to better support our customers. Together, we are co-developing new solutions, ensuring that sustainability and high performance go hand in hand.” 

Additionally, Ahlstrom has developed Optipad, a new high-performance filter pad designed for hot cooking oil filtration. It’s a cutting-edge solution that brings together innovation, sustainability and simplicity, extending oil lifetime up to 50% and enhancing ease of use. 

Optipad combines an advanced filtration material with a filter aid, resulting in a pre-impregnated solution that efficiently eliminates particles and oil contaminants. The enhanced and durable design of the filter pad also streamlines the changing of filters, making it easier and more efficient for daily use.

“Optipad enhances oil quality and offers savings and improved ease of use,” says Clas Läck, head of Liquid Filtration. “Our filtration solution reduces frequency for oil replacement, saving total oil consumption. These are critical advantages for foodservice businesses striving for both efficiency and sustainability.”

OptiPad is manufactured with FDA-approved materials and is in compliance with NSF/ANSI 51 Standard for Food Equipment Materials.  

Freudenberg Filtration Technologies Partners with W.L. Gore

Viledon gMaxx cassette filter and Viledon GTS pulse filter series are Freudenberg Filtration Technologies’ latest additions to its portfolio of heavy-duty intake air filters for demanding turbomachinery applications. To further improve filtration performance for its customers, the filtration specialist has secured a special membrane laminate from materials expert W. L. Gore & Associates, a leading manufacturer of extremely durable membranes and textiles. The collaboration involves using a waterproof PTFE membrane for Freudenberg’s Viledon gMaxx cassette filters and Viledon GTS 12 conical-cylindrical pulse-jet filter cartridges, bringing together the expertise of two major names in their respective industries.

“We combined the decade-long Freudenberg expertise in the development and design of premium filters with GORE’s material know-how to produce a unique solution for highly demanding filtration scenarios,” says Thomas Schroth, vice president Global Market Segment Turbomachinery at Freudenberg Filtration Technologies.

Both filter innovations feature the three-layer Gore laminate. A pre-filter layer captures larger particles, provides a high dust-holding capacity and extended filter life. The high-performance membrane handles the separation of the smallest particles and ensures the permanent retention of water and salt, while a strong backing layer provides maximum stability. These filters deliver reliable ISO 29461-1 T 12 filtration efficiency (E12 to EN 1822) over their lifespan and achieve a world-class water removal efficiency of over 99.9% to ISO 29461-2, even under high volume flows and significant water loads. Freudenberg has integrated the three-layer membrane into both the Viledon gMaxx cassette filters and the Viledon GTS 12 cartridge filters.

Viledon gMaxx cassette filters deliver high performance thanks to the GORE laminate and their proven design. The latest series builds on Freudenberg’s advanced Viledon spiderMaxx cassette filter, which features several innovative elements such as a one-piece front and back plate and guide vanes to reduce air turbulence and pressure drop. “The new gMaxx series ensures maximum efficiency at the lowest pressure drops, providing high durability and safeguarding both filters and machinery,” Schroth adds.
Freudenberg Filtration Technologies’ newest addition to its high-performance filter lineup has a compact design with a depth of just 435 mm and allows for easy retrofit of existing intake air systems. Users who want to add a pre-filter can simply attach the component to the Viledon gMaxx base frame using Freudenberg’s clip-on system. “Besides its high filtration capability, the new series supports flexible filter adaptations that are in keeping with high filtration demands,” Schroth says.

The Viledon GTS 12 cartridge filters, in turn, provide maximum protection against dust breakthrough during pulse-jet cleaning through their proven design. It features inner and outer support cages and end caps cast in a leakproof configuration. “The GTS 12’s optimized self-cleaning characteristics maximize the filters’ lifetimes, providing high-end separation efficiency of class T12 to ISO 29461-1 for optimum turbomachinery safety,” Schroth concludes.

Gessner Launches New Products

Gessner has introduced a number of new filtration innovations in recent months. Its new MecNa air filter offers superior durability and performance with 3D nanofiber design. It addresses the common issue of reduced lifespan due to low dust holding capacity in current nanofiber filter media. Developed in the post-Covid pandemic era, when guaranteed efficiency for critical filtration applications became essential, MecNa sets a new standard by offering unparalleled longevity and filtration performance.

The uniqueness of MecNa is its revolutionary 3D nanofiber structured media design. Unlike continuous electrospun fibers MecNa embeds individual nanofibers within the filter media, enhancing both durability and performance. This particular construction overcomes the typical limitation of reduced lifespan of filter elements due to low dust holding capacity, ensuring high initial resistance to airflow. Additionally, since it relies on mechanical filtration, users can count on consistent filtration performance without any particle removal efficiency dropping problems commonly seen in electrostatic filter media. MecNa’s mechanical nanofiber structure ensures the consistent delivery of clean and purified air, seamlessly adapting to a diverse array of environments. As it guarantees best air quality, it is the optimal solution for both conventional and challenging settings like HVAC and ventilation systems, industrial air filtration, clean rooms and other critical applications.

Also new are Gessner’s Alphastar tribo-electric nonwoven and NeenahPure meltblown nonwoven with an activated carbon layer for pleatable and bag filters. These high-efficiency, electrostatic filter media can be developed meeting individual requirements from high efficiency filtration to standard requirements.

The activated carbon layer captures and neutralizes a wide range of impurities, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odors and other contaminants. Depending on the customers’ needs Gessner develops the activated carbon layers for each individual application. Alphastar triboelectric filter media provides superior filtration performance with high dust holding capacity, low resistance to airflow and high removal efficiency. The NeenahPure product range is its highly charged meltblown media solution for pleatable and bag filters in HVAC, air purification & air pollution control applications to provide clean indoor air for a better protection.

With a range from highest to standard efficiency, covering efficiencies from MERV 8 – MERV 16 (ASHRAE) and from ePM10 – ePM1 (ISO 16890) and the technical possibilities to customize the activated carbon layer as well as the particle layer, Gessner engineers filter media tailored to the specific requirements of each customer.

Additionally, Gessner’s lignin filter media is designed to reduce the user’s product carbon footprint. Unlike traditional filter media, Gessner’s cellulose filter media is saturated with an eco-friendly lignin-based resin, ensuring that your filter element offers best performance, while taking a step into more sustainable filtration solutions. Lignin is a natural polymer found in the cell walls of plants, providing structural support and rigidity. In its filter media it uses lignin for its sustainable properties, offering an eco-friendly alternative to replace fossil-based resins.

By adding the eco-friendly lignin saturation, Gessner developed a more sustainable product that does not compromise on filtration performance nor on its mechanical properties. Additionally, it decreases formaldehyde emissions during the curing process. Compared to standard media with a fossil-based resin saturation initial calculations show that the new lignin-based saturation filter media offers an improved product carbon footprint. The lignin-based resin saturation is used in various automotive applications, including engine air intake, oil and fuel filtration. But the application of lignin is not limited to these – any cellulose filter media which is currently using phenolic resins can seamlessly transition to its lignin saturation.

Hollingsworth & Vose Offers NanoWave ESA

The latest innovation from filtration specialist Hollingsworth & Vose is its NanoWave ESA product, a revolutionary synthetic material designed for high-efficiency respiratory and medical filtration, offering enhanced performance, lower pressure drop and a streamlined design process for respiratory protection equipment (RPE) manufacturers. This PFAS-free media helps achieve high filtration efficiencies (like P3/P100) with a more comfortable, less restrictive filter design, addressing market demands for smaller, higher-performing and sustainable filtration solutions.

Described as the world’s first 3D filter media, NanoWave provides a more efficient and intuitive filtration solution compared to traditional methods and is designed to achieve high filtration efficiency (e.g., P3, P100) while maintaining a lower pressure drop, which means less resistance for the user. By integrating 3D filtration capabilities, NanoWave ESA simplifies the design process for respiratory protection, allowing for more comfortable and better-performing next-generation products.

H&V’s latest investment, announced in January 2023, supports its Trupor business, a revolutionary high performance liquid microfiltration media. The new capacity will come online in late 2025 in Floyd, VA. Meanwhile, in Europe, H&V has made two major expansion projects in Hatzfeld, Germany designed to keep it at the forefront of innovation and will add new filter media technologies and capabilities for indoor air quality, cabin air, liquid, gas turbine, cleanroom and medical applications.

Johns Manville Expands in Germany

Johns Manville (JM) has launched a new state-of-the-art Evalith micro fiberglass nonwoven production line at its facility in Wertheim, Germany in an effort to meet the increasing demand for high-efficiency filter media to enhance  indoor air quality in critical environments such as hospitals, schools, offices and cleanrooms.

Equipped with an advanced air purification system, the new production line reflects JM’s commitment to sustainability. Evalith filtration materials capture fine dust, bacteria, viruses and other pollutants, ensuring safer indoor air quality. This filter media helps manufacturers achieve superior energy efficiency ratings, enabling end users to reduce energy consumption and lower their carbon footprint.

JM’s micro fiberglass is biosoluble, REACH-registered and classified as non-hazardous according to Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) regulations, ensuring compliance with the highest safety standards.

Nonwovenn Invests in High Growth Areas

Nonwovenn, a U.K. manufacturer of high performance nonwovens, continues to  invest in innovation, research and development for technical fabrics in high-growth areas. This includes activated carbon filtration, coalescer filtration and acoustic solutions. The strategic investment will form part of the company’s broader expansion plans, supporting its ambition to increase its market share and technical capabilities.

The next phase of targeted investment follows an extensive £13 million business-wide transformation program, which has included significant self-funded capex investment in manufacturing, plant and equipment. It also involved an end-to-end operational efficiency program and an enhancement in R&D and innovation capability, to enable the servicing of growing order volumes.

To support key growth areas in this sector the investment includes upgrading the current impregnation line as well as introducing a second, doubling output capacity. Nonwovenn is also expanding its team to introduce a wider range of technically advanced respiratory protection and air and liquid filtration solutions.

Alongside this, Nonwovenn is also advancing its coalescer filtration technology, which separates liquids from other liquids or gasses, for example in compressed air systems to remove oil droplets and fine particles. With strong partnerships already in place and exciting new opportunities in the near future, Nonwovenn is looking to double sales over the next 12 to 18 months.

Fabrizio Tiribilli, industrial business director at Nonwovenn, says: “InduTech is a key growth area for Nonwovenn. Our investments in filtration and acoustics reflect commitment to innovation and technical excellence. By increasing capacity, efficiency, and driving forward product development, we’re adapting to the needs of our customers in this growing market.”

Nonwovenn chairman David Lamb adds; “The latest phase of investment is another step towards our goal of becoming the market leader across our four market vehicles. The outlook in the industrial sector is incredibly promising, and we’re excited to see what happens next.”

Mann+Hummel Forms Partnership in Indonesia

Mann+Hummel, a global leader in filtration solutions, formed a strategic partnership with PT. Bquik Otomotif Indonesia (B-Quik), a prominent automotive service provider in Southeast Asia, to offer cutting-edge automotive filtration solutions through its aftermarket brands, Wix Filters and Mann-Filter, in Indonesia. This collaboration is part of Mann+Hummel’s ongoing expansion efforts in the Asian market, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing safety, sustainability and engine performance for the drivers.

The partnership was officially formalized on November 15, 2024. Together, Mann+Hummel and B-Quik aim to provide innovative filtration solutions that promote cleaner air, protect vehicle engines, and reduce the need for frequent maintenance, ultimately improving the driving experience.

“We are excited to partner with B-Quik to make Wix and Mann-Filter more accessible to drivers in Indonesia,” says Sonny Tandy, managing director of PT Mann+Hummel Filtration Indonesia. “This collaboration marks an important milestone in Mann+Hummel’s ongoing expansion in Southeast Asia and is fully aligned with our mission to deliver high-quality filtration solutions. With Wix and Mann-Filter products already enjoying global success, this partnership presents a great opportunity to broaden our reach in Indonesia, particularly to B-Quik’s customers. Given our established presence in the country, we are well-positioned to offer not only top-tier products but also exceptional service. We are committed to continuously improving to better meet the needs of our customers while strengthening our distribution network across the region.”

Road pollution in Indonesia, especially in cities like Jakarta, has become a significant environmental and public health issue, driven by rapid urbanization, increasing vehicle numbers, and heavy reliance on fossil fuels. As traffic emissions remain a major source of pollution, vehicle filters are essential. Through this partnership, Mann+Hummel and B-Quik will offer a wide range of Wix filters and Mann-Filter in Indonesia, including air, oil, fuel and cabin filters. These products are designed to protect critical engine components, improve fuel efficiency, reduce harmful emissions and ensure cleaner air inside the vehicle cabin. Cabin filters, in particular, are vital for improving air quality inside the vehicle by trapping dust, pollen and other harmful particles, creating a healthier and more comfortable driving experience for both drivers and passengers.

“At B-Quik, we are continuously searching for the best products for our customers. Working with Mann+Hummel is the result of that, and we’re looking forward to building our collaboration in the years to come,” says Vincent Goettsch, managing director of PT. B-Quik Otomotif Indonesia.

Monadnock Non-Wovens Offers High Efficiency Meltblown

Monadnock Non-Wovens LLC (MNW), a manufacturer of meltblown synthetic media for the automotive, respirator, surgical face mask and air and liquid filtration markets, has invested in technology to deliver even higher efficiency meltblown media for air filtration. The new enhanced filter media, Monadnock HPAQ 3F, is engineered specifically for respirators, HVAC and air purification filters. 

Increased risk and concern over health and well-being are driving innovation in air filtration for residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural spaces. High levels of precision and purity are crucial in many fields and applications, particularly where even the smallest impurities can have significant consequences. HPAQ 3F will meet all international filtration standards: ASHRAE 52-2, ASTM 2100, EN-149, HEPA, MERV 10-16 and NIOSH. 

Filters made with Monadnock HPAQ 3F will capture more dust, pollen, allergens, viruses, and smoke with lower pressure drop than traditional polypropylene and other synthetic meltblown media. 

“Bringing this new capability to our manufacturing facility enables us to produce materials that help meet global air filtration standards,” says Jim Cree, MNW president. “In a time with forest fires and airborne diseases, we are offering the filtration market a healthier solution that is made right here in the United States.” 

HPAQ 3F is available in rolls up to 95” / 2.4 m wide. This virgin polypropylene (PP) product is recyclable, and trim waste can be repurposed in sorbent applications. As with all MNW products, it is made with 100% renewable wind-powered electricity (Green-e certified RECs).