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According to market tracker Smithers, sales of nonwoven air/gas and liquid filtration media, worth $6.1 billion in 2024, are projected to increase to $10.1 billion in 2029 following a 10.7% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR).
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.
Nonwovens for filtration are dominated by three major processes: wetlaid, spunlaid and drylaid (needlepunch). Unlike the broader nonwovens market, wetlaid is the leading nonwoven process for filtration—accounting for 47.4% of consumption in 2024. Wetlaid has benefited from global demand for more sustainable products; it will exhibit a slower, but still good growth rate across 2024–29.
Spunlaid accounts for the second largest share at 29.6% of the contemporary market. In filtration, the huge surge in demand for face masks during Covid-19 in 2020–21 spurred widespread investment in meltblown spunlaid lines. Post-Covid, face masks still enjoy some increased consumption; but there is overcapacity, which is reducing prices and encouraging consumption.
Drylaid nonwovens is the last of the major nonwoven processes for filtration, accounting for 17.9% of the market in 2024. Drylaid will be the slowest growing of the main processes used in filtration nonwovens.
North America is the largest consumer of nonwovens for filtration, although demand in Asia is rapidly expanding. In 2024, North America accounted for 42.8% of consumption by weight, followed by Asia (28.2%) and Europe (22.7%). Asia will continue to grow across 2024-2029, with its market share reaching 33.6% in 2029.
In response to these growth projections, filtration manufacturers and suppliers are stepping up investments in production capacity, advanced materials and strategic acquisitions as demand grows for higher-performance filtration solutions across industrial, transportation, building and specialty applications.
Investment Expands Capabilities
Recent investments by Alkegen, Hollingsworth & Vose (H&V) and Ahlstrom, together with acquisitions by Donaldson and Camfil, are prime examples of activity taking place across the global filtration supply chain. The investments range from new nonwovens production equipment and expanded manufacturing capacity to synthetic filtration technology, sustainable materials and acquisitions designed to broaden product portfolios and regional capabilities.
In August, Alkegen announced it had completed a $1.7 million investment in new needlepunch capabilities at its manufacturing site in Fulda, Germany. The new elliptical pre-needle loom installed on an existing needlefelt production line reportedly provides tighter control of web elongation in both the machine and cross directions, supporting more isotropic felt structures than the previous equipment. This is expected to achieve a 20% improvement in line performance while decreasing energy consumption per kilogram of fiber processed by 15%.
The new pre-needle unit also improves process stability and reduces the potential for hydraulic oil contamination. Alkegen says the equipment cuts unplanned downtime associated with leakage and has contributed to improved overall equipment effectiveness on the upgraded line.
In terms of product development, the investment can make extremely heavyweight needled felts up to 4000 gsm for applications in steel industry uses but can also be configured for different fiber lengths and constructions, allowing Alkegen to serve applications ranging from industrial filtration and fire protection to acoustics, construction and architecture, white goods and PPE-related materials. The company says its technical felt capabilities can now address well over 100 end-use pathways.
Fulda produces needlefelt nonwovens from staple fibers sourced globally. Its polymer capabilities include polyester and polypropylene, as well as more specialized fibers such as pre-oxidized fiber, polyimide, PTFE and aramid grades.
“This is about giving our customers confidence that we will keep investing in the capability behind their supply,” says Peter Keck, senior business development manager at Alkegen. “Technical felt is not a single-spec product. Customers need range, consistency and the ability to move with the market.”
John Lewis, director global sales at Alkegen, adds that the company’s Fulda operation, together with its U.S. manufacturing operations, has played a pioneering role in membrane felt composites and now supplies a broad range of filter media and technical fabrics to customers worldwide.
Another filtration media specialist, Hollingsworth & Vose, has completed a more than $40 million expansion at one of its manufacturing plants in Floyd, VA, where it operates two manufacturing facilities. The expansion includes a new production line designed to manufacture advanced filtration media.
At the project’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, H&V CEO Josh Ayer highlighted both the company’s history in Floyd and the capabilities provided by the expansion.
“This new line will allow us to manufacture cutting-edge filtration media here in Floyd for important liquid applications,” he says.
The new capacity is expected to support a range of high-efficiency filtration applications, including large commercial buildings, hospitals, cabin air and liquid microfiltration for food and beverage and biopharmaceutical applications.
Vince Hatcher, director of operations at H&V, says the investment will help the company expand its ability to commercialize advanced filtration solutions for global customers.
“We take pride in developing and commercializing advanced filtration solutions to meet the needs of our global customers,” he says.
Ahlstrom has expanded its filtration capacity on both sides of the Atlantic through dual investments in sustainable filtration media in Europe and upgrading synthetic filtration capacity in North America.
The company has expanded production of its Ahlstrom ECO filtration media to its Turin, Italy, plant following the development and initial production of the material at Ahlstrom’s Louveira, Brazil, facility.
Ahlstrom ECO is designed for automotive filtration applications and incorporates lignin, a renewable by-product of the pulp industry. The company says the technology replaces approximately 30% of traditional fossil-based phenolic resin while maintaining filtration efficiency and durability under demanding conditions, including hot-oil environments.
The material is also designed to be compatible with existing pleating and filter manufacturing processes. According to Ahlstrom, the technology can reduce formaldehyde emissions during curing by approximately 40-70%, depending on curing conditions.
“With Ahlstrom ECO, we are demonstrating that sustainability and performance can go hand in hand,” says Stéphanie Pigeot-Rémy, head of global R&D and product development, filtration at Ahlstrom. “Expanding production to Europe enables us to better serve our customers locally while supporting their journey toward more sustainable filtration solutions without compromise.”
At the same time, Ahlstrom is upgrading an existing production line at its Taylorville, IL, facility to increase its ability to manufacture advanced synthetic filtration media. The upgraded line is expected to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The line will produce filtration materials containing up to 100% synthetic fiber, with optional blends incorporating glass and/or cellulose. It will support single- and dual-layer filter media designs, as well as saturation and corrugation processes.
The resulting materials are intended for applications including HVAC, process liquid filtration, food and beverage processing, gas turbine intake, air pollution control and engine oil, fuel and transmission filtration.
“The investment expands our industrial filtration technology offering in North American markets,” says Willy Bordignon, vice president, filtration Americas at Ahlstrom. “We are committed to regional growth, advancing sustainable innovation and broadening our portfolio of high-performance filtration materials for the industrial sector.”
Acquisitions Reshape Offerings
Investment in filtration is also taking the form of mergers and acquisitions. Donaldson Company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Filtration Group’s Facet Filtration business in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $820 million. The purchase price represents approximately 20 times calendar-year 2025 EBITDA, or 16.6 times when adjusted for the present value of expected tax benefits and cost synergies, according to Donaldson.
Facet supplies fuel and fluid filtration solutions for mission-critical applications, primarily in aerospace and defense and power generation. The company has particular expertise in jet fuel filtration, with products used at multiple stages of the fuel supply chain, from refinery operations through the final fueling point.
Facet generated calendar-year 2025 sales of approximately $108 million, with the majority of revenue coming from North America and Europe. The company has 236 employees across the U.S. and Europe and manufacturing operations in Oklahoma and Spain.
Donaldson chairman, president and CEO Tod Carpenter says the acquisition will increase the company’s exposure to markets requiring high-performance filtration and expand its capabilities in fuel and fluid filtration.
“Facet is a valuable, strategic addition to our Industrial Solutions business, increasing our exposure to attractive, durable end markets which require high-performance filtration solutions,” Carpenter says.
The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory approvals.
Camfil, meanwhile, has expanded its Italian operations through the acquisition of F.C.R., an Italian company specializing in air filtration solutions. The transaction became effective January 1, 2026.
The acquisition expands Camfil’s presence in Italy and adds F.C.R.’s local manufacturing, filtration design and technical expertise to Camfil’s existing capabilities.
F.C.R. has developed a reputation for filtration design, manufacturing and customer service, particularly in applications where air quality and reliability are critical. Camfil says the combined operation will offer a broader portfolio of products and services tailored to local markets while maintaining a focus on energy-efficient filtration.
New Technologies
New developments in molecular and cabin air filtration are expanding the range of materials and technologies available to manufacturers seeking improved pollutant removal, lower pressure drop and more sustainable alternatives to conventional filtration media.
Swedish research-based biomaterials company Adsorbi has commercially launched Arbomax, a family of cellulose-based filter media developed for active airflow applications. The technology represents the company’s expansion from passive-airflow applications into molecular filtration for air purifiers and HVAC systems.
Arbomax is designed to capture gaseous pollutants including aldehydes, ammonia (NH3), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and organic acids. According to Adsorbi, the material combines high adsorption capacity with pollutant retention, helping prevent captured contaminants from being released back into the airstream.
The company says the technology was developed over several years through research into surface chemistry and testing with major air-filtration companies. The first Arbomax product is intended for recirculating-air applications in households, commercial buildings and industrial environments, including chemical production, laboratories, electronics manufacturing and aviation cabins.
Adsorbi was founded in 2022 based on research conducted at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg. Its earlier products were developed for passive-airflow applications, including protection of artwork and archival materials from air pollutants and removal of household odors.
“Active airflow filtration is where cellulose-based materials can make the biggest impact, replacing fossil-based adsorbents in applications across buildings, vehicles and manufacturing facilities worldwide,” says Hanna Munge, CEO and co-founder, Adsorbi. “Arbomax helps customers achieve cost savings and sustainability objectives at the same time.”
Activated carbon remains a widely used material for molecular filtration, with feedstocks commonly including coal and coconut shells. Adsorbi positions Arbomax as a cellulose-based alternative, with its cellulose sourced from sustainably managed Nordic forests and the material manufactured in Sweden.
The company reports that independent analysis has found Arbomax to have a lower carbon footprint than conventional activated carbon materials, including broad-spectrum and coconut-shell-based grades. Adsorbi also says the media is designed to extend filter service life, potentially reducing replacement frequency, maintenance requirements and associated downtime.
Potential applications include offices, schools, retail facilities, healthcare environments, homes and industrial manufacturing operations where gaseous pollutants can accumulate in recirculated air. Formaldehyde and other aldehydes, for example, can be released from building materials, coatings, adhesives and other products.
According to Dr. Kinga Grenda, CTO and co-founder of Adsorbi, the company’s move into active airflow represents a significant expansion of its technology platform.
“Aldehydes, ammonia, SO2 and organic acids are pollutants present at every level of industry and cause real harm to human health and the environment,” Grenda says. “This launch marks our transformation from passive to active airflow applications, entering the largest applications of the air filtration industry and it’s just the beginning.”
In the automotive market, Premium Guard Inc. (PGI) has entered into a licensing agreement with Procter & Gamble to develop, distribute and sell Febreze Cabin Air Filters using PGI’s Pureflow Air Filtration Technology.
The new cabin filter line combines multiple filtration layers, including a high-efficiency particulate layer, activated charcoal and an odor-neutralizing layer. The system is designed to capture dust, pollen, exhaust gases and other airborne contaminants while addressing odors within the vehicle cabin.
PGI says the technology is designed to balance filtration efficiency, odor removal and airflow. The company is positioning the products as part of a broader focus on vehicle interior air quality (ViAQ).
“Cabin air filters remain one of the most underrecognized categories in automotive maintenance,” says Anan Bishara, founder and CEO of Premium Guard Inc. “By combining PGI’s commitment to quality and innovation with the trusted freshness and brand recognition of Febreze, we’re positioned to elevate consumer awareness and drive the next phase of expansion in this category.”
The Pureflow platform uses a multilayer construction incorporating high-efficiency particulate filtration, activated charcoal and odor-eliminating technology. The approach is intended to address both particulate and gaseous contaminants while maintaining airflow through the filter.
PGI is also developing its Vehicle Interior Air Quality technology, a diagnostic system designed to measure and monitor cabin air-filter performance. The company says the combination of filtration, odor control and diagnostic capabilities is intended to provide a more comprehensive approach to vehicle interior air quality.
The Febreze Cabin Air Filter line is scheduled to roll out through retail and e-commerce channels beginning in early 2026, with distribution planned for North America and selected international markets.
Ahlstrom has introduced Ahlstrom PurXcel, a molecular filter media platform developed for cabin air and indoor air applications.
Produced in Turin, Italy, using a dry manufacturing process, PurXcel is designed to combine optimized adsorbent loading with low pressure drop. The material can be configured as a combination media to address gaseous pollutants and particulate matter within a single filter element.
The platform’s adsorbent layers can be customized for different contaminants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia and odors. Ahlstrom also offers a range of particulate filtration layers, with efficiency options extending to HEPA13.
Low pressure drop is becoming increasingly important in automotive applications, particularly as vehicle manufacturers seek to optimize energy consumption and cabin comfort in electric and premium vehicles. Ahlstrom says PurXcel’s internal structure is designed to support compact filter configurations while enabling quiet operation.
The media’s pleatability and cohesion are also intended to simplify converting and filter manufacturing while reducing material waste.
“PurXcel embodies Ahlstrom’s DNA of innovation and our commitment to purify and protect with every fiber,” says Giuseppe Costa, VP Global Filtration, Ahlstrom. “Beyond cabin air intake, this versatile platform can be adapted to HVAC systems, fuel cell air intakes, and personal protection devices, meeting the evolving needs of multiple industries.”
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