FiltXPO™ Innovation Award Finalists


The FILTXPO™ Innovation Awards honor the best new product introductions since FILTXPO™ 2025. The Finalists below have been selected from the air and gas filtration and liquid and water filtration innovations.


The deadline for voting is October 12, 2026. Don’t miss seeing who takes home the awards! Finalists will be recognized in front of filtration leaders, October 28-29, Minneapolis, Minnesota.


The FiltXPO™ Filtration Innovation Awards are presented by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, in partnership with International Filtration News. Filtration professionals may vote for the winner via the International Filtration News website.


Air/Gas Innovation Award Finalists



HIFYBER: CombiNano


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/odor adsorption capacity (ISO 10121-1/2), while low pressure drop reduces energy consumption and extends service life across all grades.

Leanfil Oy: Leanfil®


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, Inc.: Fully Automated Liquid Management System


Imagine giving a vacuum system the ability to continuously manage heavy liquid loads with less operator involvement. 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.


Water/Liquid Innovation Award Finalists



Acuriant Technologies Inc.: CUF Flow - More Water, Same Footprint


The company launched CUF|Flow, a high-capacity ceramic ultrafiltration module that increases membrane area per module by approximately 40 percent and places ceramic UF at near economic parity with conventional ultrafiltration alternatives under defined project conditions.

Ahlstrom: Ahlstrom Optipad™


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 fibers, 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.  


https://discover.ahlstrom.com/introducing-optipad

Gessner, a Mativ Brand: GESSNER PFAS Filter Media


GESSNER PFAS Filter Media is an innovative 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.