Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based specialty materials, has announced significant enhancements to its patented lignin-based filtration media, Ahlstrom ECO™.
This innovative product, first introduced in 2023, represents a major step forward in sustainable filtration solutions for automotive and industrial applications.
Ahlstrom ECO™ combines a proprietary lignin-based impregnation with renewable, bio-based cellulose filtration media, effectively replacing fossil-based resins. This breakthrough technology maintains exceptional durability, mechanical strength, and filtration performance while significantly reducing reliance on non-renewable resources.
The product is designed for both liquid and air filtration, making it ideal for engine oil and air intake filtration, as well as industrial filtration systems operating in challenging conditions. According to Ahlstrom's estimates, the lignin-based impregnated filter media demonstrates a lower carbon footprint compared to standard fossil-based resin media. Additionally, it achieves a 50-70% reduction in formaldehyde emissions during the curing process.
Stephanie Pigeot-Rémy, Ahlstrom's Head of Global R&D and Product Development, Filtration, emphasized the company's commitment to sustainable solutions: "Since launching Ahlstrom ECO™, we have strengthened our expertise and production capacity, enabling us to better support our customers. Together, we are co-developing new solutions, ensuring that sustainability and high performance go hand in hand".
This development aligns with Ahlstrom's broader sustainability initiatives, including its recent introduction of PFAS-free filtration media for air-oil separation applications. The company's focus on eco-friendly innovations has garnered recognition, with Ahlstrom ECO™ winning the American Filtration Society's New Product of the Year award in May 2023.
As the filtration industry continues to evolve, Ahlstrom's lignin-based technology positions the company at the forefront of sustainable solutions, addressing growing environmental concerns while meeting the high-performance demands of automotive and industrial applications.
Ahlstrom is a global leader in developing fiber-based specialty materials that prioritize sustainability. With a mission to "Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World," Ahlstrom serves diverse markets through its three divisions: Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials. In 2023, the company achieved EUR 3 billion in net sales and employed approximately 7,000 people worldwide.
