2011 Buyers' Guide 2011 Buyers' Guide - International Fiber Journal

Trends | Filtrationand filters will gain market share fromcommodity materials and products as filtrationusers overall seek improved performance.The following is a list of unmetneeds the author believes provides additionalnew product developmentareas and opportunities for the future:• Air filters: Filters with high-MERVratings, which yield higher flowrates and lower pressure drop• Filter Aid Substitutes: Filter aids,such are diatomaceous earth, haveproven effective, but presentdisposal issues. We need alternativechoices for high-volume uses likebeer, wine and the processindustries in general.• Membranes: MF/UF and ROmembranes or substitute materialswith high efficiency possessinggreater flow rate, lower differentialpressure and energy requirements.• Neutralizing Media/Systems: Moreeffective catalytic or other mediacapable of rendering variouscontaminates, including toxicsubstances environmentallyfriendly. Cigarette and coal-firedpower generation filters may be themost challenging of all the needs,but would do wonders for humanity.• Nonwoven Fabric: A melt-spinnablenonwoven with vastly improvedfiber distribution properties and athree dimensional cross-section.• Power Generation: Baghouse filters,dust collection cartridges or otherdevices able to withstand greaterchemical resistance at substantiallyelevated temperatures.• Reusable Filters: New designconcepts for multiple use or betteryet, permanent filters, which reducethe need for disposable filterand waste.• RO/UF Membrane Support:Material capable of being moreconsistent, including theelimination of standing fibers anduneven thickness across the width.• Triboelectric Media: Wider use oftriboelectric media and from onematerial of construction.There is an ongoing need for greaterinnovation in filtration and separationas new developments has slowed in recentyears. As the economy improves,one can only hope more companies addincreased funding to R&D and productdevelopment. At the end of the day, thisis the lifeblood of any company manufacturingmaterials, component partsFNand filtration products.Edward C. Gregor, Edward C. Gregor & Associates,LLC is a specialist in bringing newtechnologies to market and M&A in the filtration,fibers, nonwoven and polymers industries.Mr. Gregor is also chairman of theInternational Filtration News Editorial Board,and can be contacted by phone: 1-704-442-1940 or by email: ecg@egregor.com12 • August 2010 • www.filtnews.com