Industrial Filters Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Type (Air, Liquid, Gas), Material (Fiberglass, Metal, Ceramic), Product (Cartridge, Drum, HEPA, ULPA, Electrostatic, Panel), Industry (Pharmaceutical, Power Generation) - Global Forecast to 2031

The Industrial Filters Market was valued at $35.6 billion in 2023. This market is expected to reach $53.4 billion by 2031 from an estimated $36.9 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period of 2024-2031.

Industrial Filters Market Size & Forecast

The growth of this market can be attributed to several factors, including the growth in manufacturing and industrialization, increasing government regulations related to air and water quality, and growing concerns over water scarcity and pollution. Additionally, the increasing demand for high temperature filters and the expansion of the oil & gas industry are expected to create market growth opportunities. However, high initial costs for advanced filtration systems may restrain the growth of this market. However, the ongoing maintenance and upkeep requirements are a major challenge for the players operating in this market.

Additionally, the integration of smart technologies for monitoring and controlling filtration processes and rising demand for HEPA and ULPA filters are key trends in the industrial filters market.

Key Findings

• By Type: In 2024, the Air Filters Segment to Dominate the Industrial Filters Market in 2024
• By Material: In 2024, the Synthetic Fibers Segment is Expected to Dominate the Industrial Filters Market
• By Product: In 2024, the Cartridge Filters Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share of the Industrial Filters Market
• By End-use Industry: In 2024, the Food & Beverage Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share of the Industrial Filters Market
• By Geography: North America to Dominate the Industrial Filters Market in 2024

Industrial Filters Market Drivers

Increasing Government Regulations Related to Air and Water Quality

Industrial filters play a crucial role in removing contaminants from emissions and wastewater, helping industries comply with stringent regulations aimed at reducing pollution levels. According to the EPA's Air Pollutant Emissions Trends Data, approximately 66 million tons of pollution were emitted into the atmosphere in the United States in 2023. These emissions primarily contribute to ozone formation, acid deposition, and visibility impairment. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that air pollution causes approximately 6.7 million deaths annually, making it one of the leading causes of preventable mortality. This alarming data has heightened the global focus on improving air and water quality through stronger regulations and increased industrial accountability.

Governments worldwide are taking decisive actions to mitigate the adverse effects of industrial emissions. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces air quality standards under the Clean Air Act, requiring industries to limit hazardous air pollutants and setting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to ensure safe air quality. The European Union's Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) aims to reduce harmful industrial emissions while encouraging energy-efficient, low-pollution techniques. Similarly, in the U.S., the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulate hazardous pollutant releases from industries. In India, the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) has set a target of a 20% to 30% reduction in concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 by 2024.

These regulatory frameworks are driving the demand for advanced filtration systems to help industries—such as manufacturing, chemicals, and energy—meet compliance requirements. This trend is expected to significantly boost the industrial filters market in the coming years as companies seek to adhere to increasingly stringent environmental standards.

Growing Concerns Over Water Scarcity and Pollution

Water scarcity is one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century, with both developing and developed countries facing growing water shortages due to increasing populations, higher agricultural demands, and changing climate patterns. Water scarcity and pollution severely limit the availability of safe drinking water and hinder essential sanitation practices, which pose significant health risks. Common waterborne diseases such as cholera, rotavirus, norovirus, typhoid fever, E. coli infections, and parasitic and viral infections are major concerns. Prolonged exposure to contaminated water can also lead to long-term health problems, including stunted growth and development in children, reproductive issues, and an elevated risk of certain cancers, particularly in low-income regions with limited access to water treatment infrastructure.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), approximately four billion people experience severe water scarcity for at least one month every year. Furthermore, by 2050, half of the world’s population could live in areas affected by water scarcity. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for solutions to mitigate water scarcity and ensure access to clean water for industries, municipalities, and households alike.

Industrial filters play a key role in addressing this issue by treating wastewater and preventing harmful pollutants from contaminating water sources. As water quality regulations become more stringent, industries are increasingly turning to advanced filtration technologies to meet compliance standards and minimize their environmental impact. In addition, the growing need for wastewater treatment in various industries, coupled with more rigorous government regulations on water quality, is driving the growth of the industrial filters market. These factors highlight the critical role of filtration systems in ensuring the availability of clean, safe water for both human consumption and environmental sustainability.

Industrial Filters Market Trends

Rising Demand for HEPA and ULPA Filters

ULPA (Ultra Low Particulate Air) and HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters share many similarities but differ in some critical aspects. Both types of filters rely on three primary mechanisms—diffusion, interception, and inertial impact—to capture airborne contaminants. HEPA filters are designed to capture particulate matter as small as 0.3 microns with an efficiency of 99.97%. These filters can effectively trap pollutants such as pollen, dust, dirt, bacteria (0.2–2.0 μm), viruses (0.02–0.3 μm), and submicron liquid aerosols (0.02–0.5 μm). In comparison, ULPA filters provide an even higher level of filtration, capturing 99.999% of particles as small as 0.12 microns or larger, making them significantly more efficient than HEPA filters in removing smaller particulate matter.

Both HEPA and ULPA filters are essential in preventing the spread of harmful contaminants that could compromise product quality, worker safety, and environmental standards. For instance, in the pharmaceutical industry, these filters are crucial for maintaining sterile conditions and preventing contamination during the manufacturing process of drugs and medical products. In the electronics sector, HEPA and ULPA filters are critical for maintaining cleanroom environments necessary for the production of sensitive components such as semiconductors and microchips, where even the smallest particulate contamination can lead to defects.

Furthermore, the growing concerns over air quality, both within industrial environments and in the surrounding environment, are driving the demand for high-efficiency filtration systems. Stringent government regulations on air pollution, particularly in industrial settings, are pushing industries to adopt advanced filtration technologies to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards. As a result, the market for industrial filters equipped with HEPA and ULPA technology is experiencing significant growth as industries seek to meet these rigorous requirements while safeguarding both public health and product integrity.

Industrial Filters Market Opportunities

Increasing Demand for High Temperature Filters

High-temperature filters are engineered to perform in extreme conditions, essential for industries that operate in environments where temperatures can exceed 250°C. These filters play a crucial role in capturing harmful particulate matter, gases, and other pollutants released during industrial processes. Their ability to withstand harsh environments where standard filters would fail makes them indispensable in sectors where maintaining air quality and preventing equipment damage is critical.

For example, in power plants, high-temperature filters are used in boilers, gas turbines, and exhaust systems to remove harmful particles from flue gases. These filters ensure that industrial processes can continue efficiently without the risk of equipment malfunction or the emission of harmful pollutants. As industries adopt stricter environmental standards and push for more sustainable production practices, the demand for advanced filtration solutions has grown.

To stay competitive, leading players in the industrial filters market are focusing on developing high-performance, durable, high-temperature filters that can meet the needs of industries operating in these extreme environments. This trend is further fueled by the increasing awareness of air pollution and its adverse health effects, the expansion of industrial activities across sectors, and the implementation of more stringent environmental regulations.

As industries worldwide face growing pressure to comply with stricter environmental and air quality standards, there are significant growth opportunities for manufacturers to innovate and provide high-temperature filtration solutions that not only meet regulatory requirements but also help businesses optimize their production processes and reduce emissions.

Industrial Filters Market Analysis: Top Market Opportunity:

The Cartridge Filters Segment is Expected to Dominate the Industrial Filters Market in 2024

Based on product, the industrial filters market is segmented into drum filters, depth filters, cartridge filters, HEPA filters, ULPA filters, electrostatic filters, hydraulic filters, panel filters, baskets filters, membrane filters, pressure filters, and other products. In 2024, the cartridge filters segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the global industrial filters market. The significant market share of cartridge filters is primarily due to their high filtration precision, ease of replacement and maintenance, and wide applicability across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and chemicals. Cartridge filters are designed to effectively remove contaminants, pollutants, and chemicals from liquids, contributing to the overall efficiency of industrial processes.

These filters consist of a tubular filtration unit housed within a casing, which can be used for a range of filtration needs. Cartridge filters are commonly employed in applications requiring the filtration of water, chemicals, and other impurities. Their ability to remove unwanted particles with precision ensures that industrial processes can proceed without contamination, reducing the risk of operational disruptions.

Cartridge filters' benefits, including straightforward maintenance and the ability to reduce downtime, directly contribute to lower operational costs and improved system efficiency. As industries continue to prioritize cost-effectiveness and regulatory compliance, the demand for cartridge filters is expected to remain robust, supporting their dominant position in the market.

However, the membrane filters segment is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period of 2024 to 2031. With growing concerns over water scarcity and environmental regulations, industries and municipalities are increasingly adopting membrane filtration for wastewater treatment and water purification. The increasing adoption of membrane filters in water treatment, pharmaceuticals, and biopharmaceuticals for high-precision filtration and the increasing demand for membrane filters for microfiltration and ultrafiltration in the food and beverage industry are the factors supporting the growth of the services segment in the coming year.

Geographical Analysis

North America Dominates the Industrial Filters Market in 2024

In 2024, North America is estimated to account for the largest share of the global industrial filters market. North America's significant share in the industrial filters market can be attributed to several key factors. The region boasts a well-established manufacturing base, particularly in industries such as automotive, food and beverage, and chemicals, which drives the demand for efficient filtration systems. Additionally, increasing investments in clean technologies and renewable energy, including biofuels and green manufacturing practices, are contributing to higher demand for both air and liquid filters.

The growth of the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, particularly in the U.S., further bolsters the demand for advanced filtration technologies to ensure the highest standards of purity and efficiency. These industries require sophisticated filtration systems to meet regulatory requirements and maintain operational excellence.

Furthermore, there is a growing need for advanced filtration systems to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and comply with increasingly stringent environmental standards, especially within the manufacturing and energy sectors. Rising environmental awareness among both consumers and industries, along with government-imposed regulations focusing on air quality and emission standards in the U.S. and Canada, is also driving the demand for industrial filters in the region. These regulatory frameworks are pushing industries to adopt cleaner and more efficient filtration technologies to meet compliance standards and mitigate environmental impact.

Key Companies

The report includes a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the key strategic developments that led market participants to adopt over the past three years (2021-2024). The key players profiled in the global industrial filters market report are MANN+HUMMEL International GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), Parker-Hannifin Corporation (U.S.), Donaldson Company, Inc. (U.S.), Alfa Laval (Sweden), Freudenberg Filtration Technologies GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (U.S.), Pall Corporation (U.S.), Daikin Industries, Ltd. (Japan), Eaton Corporation plc (Ireland), Atlas Copco AB (Sweden), EFC Filtration B.V. (Netherlands), Ahlstrom (Finland), Air Filters, Inc. (U.S.), 3M (U.S.), Cummins Inc. (U.S.), Fleetlife Inc. (U.S.), HYDAC International GmbH (Germany), Lydall, Inc. (U.S.), Lenntech B.V. (Netherlands), and Mott Corporation (U.S.).

Industrial Filters Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players

• In July 2024, Parker Bioscience Filtration (a division of Parker-Hannifin Corporation (U.S.)) announced a new range of sterilizing-grade gas filters designed to withstand elevated temperatures and harsh processes like steam in place (SIP) sterilization and reduce operational costs in the food and beverage industry.
• In September 2023, Parker Hannifin's Industrial Gas Filtration (a division of Parker-Hannifin Corporation (U.S.)) introduced BHA® replacement dust cartridges for Donaldson Downflo® Evolution (DFE) collectors. These cartridges promise both cost savings and improved air cleaning performance compared to the original DFE filters.
• In August 2023, Dyson (Singapore) launched the Purifier Big+Quiet, which has a HEPA-H13-grade particle filter for rooms as large as 1,000 sq. ft.
• In August 2022, AAF Europe (a subsidiary of American Air Filter Company, Inc. (U.S.)) partnered with ClearSphere (Ireland) to enhance its cleanroom services. The partnership offers local stock availability, technical support, HEPA filter fitting, integrity testing, and 24-hour turnaround for air filtration needs.
• In August 2022, Eaton's Filtration Division showcased filtration solutions for life sciences and industrial processing at ACHEMA 2022. Highlights include the new BECO CARBON depth filter sheets with integrated activated carbon and the Simplex 72X pipeline strainers, offering efficient filtration for various applications.

Industrial Filters Market Research Summary

Key questions answered in the report: