CARY – INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, in partnership with International Filtration News, has announced the finalists for the FiltXPO 2026 Innovation Awards.
The awards recognise innovative new products introduced to the filtration industry since the last FiltXPO event in 2025.
The FiltXPO Innovation Awards celebrate advancements in filtration technology for air and gas and water and liquid applications. Entries are evaluated on creativity, novelty of approach, uniqueness and technical sophistication.
The winners will be announced during FiltXPO 2026, the premier global event for the filtration industry, 28 to 29 October at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis.
The FiltXPO 2026 Innovation Award finalists are:
FiltXPO Innovation in Air/Gas Filtration Award
Hifyber: CombiNano is a series of activated-carbon nanofiber filter media combining particle and molecular filtration in a single five-layer structure. Particle capture relies purely on mechanical filtration spanning ePM1 50–65% (F7) to ePM1 >80% (F9) efficiency classes across basis weights from 265 to 635 g/m². Integrated granular activated carbon delivers high VOC/odour adsorption capacity (ISO 10121-1/2), while low pressure drop reduces energy consumption and extends service life across all grades.
Leanfil Oy: Leanfil is a new invention on the bag filter market. Its most important feature is that its frame is not disposed of with the filter element (nonwoven) as mixed waste, but the frame always remains in the property and only the filter element is changed. The Leanfil filter elements are easy to install in and remove from the frame, thanks to the brilliant attachment mechanism. Summary: Less waste, less carrying, less transportation, less storage needed.
Solberg Manufacturing: Solberg’s Fully Automated Liquid Management system combines high-efficiency liquid separation with automatic pneumatic draining in one integrated solution. Liquids are continuously captured and removed while low pressure loss supports vacuum performance, helping protect valuable equipment, simplify liquid management, and reduce maintenance demands. The result is smarter liquid management built to keep demanding vacuum processes moving.
FiltXPO Innovation in Water/Liquid Filtration Award
Acuriant Technologies: CUF Flow is a high-capacity ceramic ultrafiltration module that increases membrane area per module by approximately 40% and places ceramic UF at near economic parity with conventional ultrafiltration alternatives under defined project conditions.
Ahlstrom: Ahlstrom OptiPad is an integrated filtration system featuring innovative depth filtration media designed to maximize cooking oil performance and sustainability. Using a proprietary blend of exclusive fibres, it creates a unique micro-channel structure for ultra-efficient filtration, capturing contaminants while maintaining optimal flow. The result is extended oil life, improved food quality, reduced oil consumption, lower waste generation, and significant cost savings. OptiPad delivers measurable economic and environmental benefits for foodservice operators.
Gessner, a Mativ Brand: Gessner PFAS Filter Media is a self-supported, pleatable multi-layer filtration media designed for the removal of PFAS “forever chemicals” from water. Combining particle filtration, adsorption and absorption in a single structure, it delivers high PFAS removal efficiency while reducing the need for carbon and resin. Unlike conventional PFAS solutions, the media can be integrated into both pleated and wrapped filter designs, enabling greater design flexibility, longer filter life and improved system performance.
Voting for the winner in each category is open on the International Filtration News website. Winners will be announced 28 October at FiltXPO 2026.
To vote, visit: https://www.filtnews.com/filtxpo-innovation-awards/
For more information about the Finalists, visit: https://www.filtxpo.com/awards
To register for FiltXPO 2026, visit: https://www.filtxpo.com/
