The filtration industry gathered in force at the Minneapolis Convention Center on October 28–29, as FiltXPO™ 2026 brought together manufacturers, researchers, product developers, and technology innovators for two days of exhibitions, technical discussions, and award recognitions. Organized by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, the event served as a central forum for professionals to explore emerging market opportunities, exchange technical expertise, and discover the latest advances in filtration innovation 2026.
The event featured an exhibition floor showcasing filtration products, materials, components, and manufacturing technologies, alongside the Advances in Filtration Technical Conference, which addressed trends and challenges shaping the future of air, gas, water, and liquid filtration.
FiltXPO 2026 Innovation Award Winners Recognized
One of the most anticipated moments of the event was the presentation of the FiltXPO 2026 Innovation Awards, honoring advancements in filtration technology, performance, and sustainability across two categories.
Air/Gas Filtration Innovation Award — Solberg Manufacturing Inc.
Solberg Manufacturing Inc. took home the Air/Gas Filtration Innovation Award for its Fully Automated Liquid Management System. The system combines high-efficiency liquid separation with automatic pneumatic draining in a single integrated solution. Liquids are continuously captured and removed, while low pressure loss helps sustain vacuum performance. The design is intended to protect equipment, simplify liquid management, and reduce maintenance demands in demanding vacuum processes.
Water/Liquid Filtration Innovation Award — Ahlstrom OptiPad™
The Water/Liquid Filtration Innovation Award went to Ahlstrom for its OptiPadâ„¢, an integrated filtration system built around innovative depth filtration media. Using a proprietary blend of exclusive fibers, OptiPadâ„¢ creates a unique micro-channel structure engineered for ultra-efficient filtration. The system captures contaminants while maintaining optimal flow, extending cooking oil life, improving food quality, reducing oil consumption, lowering waste generation, and delivering measurable cost savings for foodservice operators.
Finalists Also Recognized for Their Contributions
Several finalists were acknowledged for advancing filtration technology across both categories. In the Air/Gas Filtration category, HIFYBER’s CombiNano and Leanfil Oy’s Leanfil® were recognized as finalists. In the Water/Liquid Filtration category, Acuriant Technologies Inc. with CUF Flow – More Water, Same Footprint, and Gessner, a Mativ Brand, with GESSNER PFAS Filter Media, were also recognized. The awards collectively honor innovations that advance filtration performance, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
Advances in Filtration Technical Conference
Co-organized by INDA and the American Filtration and Separations Society (AFS), the Advances in Filtration Technical Conference brought industry experts together to examine technologies, market forces, and emerging applications transforming the filtration sector. Topics covered included advanced nonwoven filter media, PFAS filtration, artificial intelligence, data center filtration, water treatment, sustainability, and next-generation filtration applications. Participants gained insights into evolving performance requirements, regulatory challenges, market opportunities, and technological developments influencing filtration product development and manufacturing.
Filter Media Course Builds Technical Expertise
Preceding FiltXPO 2026, a two-day Filter Media Course held October 26–27 gave participants foundational and applied knowledge of nonwoven filter media and their applications in air, liquid, and aerosol filtration. The course explored filtration technologies, performance requirements, emerging industry needs, and future product development opportunities.
The course was led by Behnam Pourdeyhimi, PhD, William A. Klopman Distinguished Professor of Textile Materials, Associate Dean for Industry Research and Extension at North Carolina State University, and Executive Director Emeritus of The Nonwovens Institute; Hooman Tafreshi, PhD, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at NC State University; and Benoit Maze, PhD, Director of Education and Administration at The Nonwovens Institute.
INDA has announced that it will continue its filtration education offerings with a one-day Filter Media Essentials course scheduled for March 22, 2027, preceding IDEA®27 in Kansas City, Missouri.
FiltXPO Returns in 2028
Building on the industry’s ongoing commitment to filtration innovation and collaboration, FiltXPO is confirmed to return on March 29–30, 2028, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
