The Pennsylvania Convention Center recently hosted Filtration 2016 International Conference & Exposition. Presented by INDA– the Association of Nonwoven Fabrics Industry from November 8-10, it is billed as “the ultimate think tank for the filtration industry.” Wallner Expac recently participated in this event which featured over 1,500 attendees, over 140 exhibitors, and celebrated its 25th anniversary. It is the preeminent event to attend for anyone involved in the industry.
The filtration industry continues to experience incredible growth and technological advancements. According to a report by Grand View Research, “The emergence of new raw materials such as small fibers coupled with the development of advanced non-woven technology offer avenues for industrial air filtration market growth.” The report adds that, “Advancements in filtration technology are based on new developments in filter design and media technology, which are primarily driven by legislative initiatives to increasing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.”
Based upon this report there are ample market opportunities to address these needs and regulations. By combining the academics of a conference with the tangible advantages of an exposition, Filtration 2016 offered the opportunity to not only learn about these advancements, but experience first-hand the technology that drives change.
With three days of lectures, conferences, and a trade show, planning is required to maximize your experience. The conference sequence was set so that you could either attend the conference lectures and presentations or the training course. Due to the overlap, it’s nearly impossible to attend both, so here is a brief overview of some notable events:
Keynote Address
The first day was dedicated to solely to conferences with the keynote address delivered by Alfred Weber, Chairman of the Board of Management, MANN+HUMMEL. Titled, “Filtration Meets Digitalization,” Weber discussed some of the technology platform efforts at MANN+HUMMEL and how they are looking to leverage their core competencies for new applications. He also shared what actions are needed to remain a leader in filtration and touched upon the next generation of emerging technologies.
Filter Media Training Course
For those who preferred to take advantage of the opportunity to learn from a recognized industry leader, a major draw was the Filter Media Training Course. Limited to only 40 participants, this two-day course is tailored for those wanted to learn more about the development, testing, and application of nonwovens in filtration. Led by Christine Sun, Ph.D., Principal, Filtration Technologies International, she is a globally recognized technical and market expert in both the nonwovens and filtration industries. The course featured testing standards, how nonwoven media are designed and used in air and liquid filtration, technical advancements, and provided an overall understanding of how nonwovens are used in air and liquid filtration.
Welcome Reception
At the conclusion of the first day of the exposition, there was a welcome reception for all attendees. This year’s reception featured a video presentation and overview of the past 25 years, and toast to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Filtration. It was a great event to unwind after a full day, enjoy food and drink, and to reconnect or meet new friends.
There were many other sessions to experience; from panel discussions on products, to presentations on market opportunities, to lectures on understanding regulatory standards, there was a topic for everyone.
Wallner Expac’s Participation at Filtration 2016
Filtration 2016 also included an expo for companies to present their products and services. As a featured exhibitor, Wallner Expac’s returned to once again exhibit at this event. We have always found it as an exceptional opportunity to showcase how our expanded metal offers optimal quality and performance for various filtration applications. Once again we drew a diverse audience of engineers, corporate executives, and more– all eager to further their understanding of expanded metal application opportunities.
Although the general concept of filters hasn’t dramatically changed, the components that are integrated into the infrastructure can have a dramatic effect on its performance, strength, lifecycle, and cost. With close to 60 years of industry experience, Wallner Expac has the specialization to design and manufacture expanded metal solutions for these evolving standards. Supporting our manufacturing team is our state-of-the-art tool room which offers a full range of metal forming services. Furthermore, we were able to discuss with attendees how expanded metal has many uses beyond filtration including HVAC, automotive, construction, architecture, security, and more.
We hope to see you at Filtration 2017 in Chicago!
For more information on our range of expanded metal patterns and industry solutions, visit www.expac.com or email mmenchaca@expac.com.
