Filtech 2026 in Cologne, Germany

Filtech 2026 is the world’s leading dedicated event entirely focused on filtration and separation. It is not only an exhibition but also a large-scale conference that brings together industry experts, engineers, equipment suppliers and buyers from dozens of sectors at Koelnmesse, Cologne.

In essence, Filtech is the place where decisions are made about how air, water and process streams will be treated tomorrow in chemicals, energy, food production, pharmaceuticals, water treatment and environmental projects. Here you see real industrial solutions: from filter media and membranes to complex systems for fine filtration and dust collection.

The most recent edition in Cologne set a new record: more than 590 exhibitors and around 18,760 participants from roughly 80 countries worldwide. Over 60 percent of visitors came from outside Germany, so exhibitors engage with a truly global audience.

Video about Filtech: what the world’s largest filtration event looks like

To get a real feel for the Filtech atmosphere, it is worth seeing how the Koelnmesse halls look during the exhibition: a constant flow of visitors, fully active stands, large-scale installations of filter presses and pilot plants.

Below is one of the videos with impressions from the trade fair:

Who should plan a trip to Filtech at Koelnmesse:

• Manufacturers of filters, membranes, cartridges, filter fabrics and elements for gas and liquid filtration.
• Operators of plants for water treatment, wastewater, industrial ventilation, dust collection and flue gas cleaning.
• Representatives of the chemical, oil and gas, energy, mining, food and pharmaceutical industries.
• Mechanical engineering and engineering companies, integrators of process lines and instrumentation and control systems.
• Environmental, industrial hygiene and ESG specialists for whom filtration is key to reducing emissions and meeting regulatory requirements.
• Scientific teams and R&D departments working on new materials, membrane processes and digital models of filtration.

The Filtech atmosphere is the constant hum of business discussions in Halls 7 and 8 of Koelnmesse, live demonstrations of equipment, the smell of metal and fresh media, and the sense that, for three days, the world’s filtration expertise is concentrated in one exhibition.

History of Filtech: from niche conference to global leader

Filtech as a dedicated filtration event has been developing for many years. In earlier years the exhibition and conference took place in Wiesbaden, and then, starting from 2015, moved to Cologne and settled at Koelnmesse. Even then, the event attracted around 350 exhibitors and secured its status as the world’s largest platform for filtration and separation.

In 2016 and 2019, Filtech showed steady growth: hundreds of exhibitors, more than 12,000–16,500 visitors and an ever-increasing share of international attendees. The focus shifted from purely technical discussions to integrated solutions that address both production challenges and environmental requirements.

After the pandemic break, the show returned with an enhanced programme: Filtech 2023 brought together around 438 exhibitors and about 16,750 participants, and in 2024 a new record was set: more than 591 exhibitors and almost 18,800 attendees from 80 countries. The organisers highlight particularly strong interest in sustainability, air filtration and water treatment.

Advantages of Filtech 2026 at Koelnmesse: scale, figures and concentration of expertise

The key advantage of Filtech 2026 is its clear specialisation. It is not a “general” industrial fair, but an event where every stand and every presentation is connected in one way or another with filtration and separation tasks. For visitors, this means saving time; for exhibitors, it means highly relevant contacts.

In recent years, Filtech has been growing steadily. According to show reports and the organisers:

• 2019 — around 428 exhibitors and roughly 16,500 visitors from 75 countries.
• 2023 — 438 exhibitors, approximately 16,750 participants, around 54 percent of visitors from abroad.
• 2024 — 591+ exhibitors and roughly 18,760 participants from 80 countries, with more than 60 percent international visitors.
• 2026 — 600+ exhibitors at the Koelnmesse venue, Halls 7 and 8.

A significant area of Koelnmesse is reserved for the exhibition, and the halls feature themed zones and wide aisles to showcase large-scale equipment, pilot plants and full-size installations. This is not a “virtual” story — pumps, filters, filter presses, dust collectors and membrane rigs are running here in real life.

The second major strength of Filtech is the parallel conference. More than 200 presentations, several themed tracks and short courses on liquid filtration, gas cleaning and the world of nonwovens turn the trip into full-scale training for engineers and process specialists.

Finally, Filtech is known for attracting real decision-makers: company owners, technical directors, plant managers and R&D leaders. It is a distinctly B2B event where discussions about filtration techniques very quickly move into talks about concrete projects and contracts.

Well-known Filtech exhibitors: who you can meet at the stands

Every edition of Filtech brings together an impressive line-up of international players. Below are examples of companies that have announced their participation and have been present at recent editions in Cologne.

• Ahlstrom. One of the global leaders in nonwoven materials and filter media. At Filtech, the company traditionally showcases new generations of materials for air, liquid and HEPA/ULPA filters, with a strong focus on energy efficiency, sustainability and advanced fine filtration performance. For visitors, the Ahlstrom stand offers a quick overview of where filter media technologies are heading.
• AAF International. A major player in industrial and HVAC air filtration. At Filtech 2026, AAF presents solutions for cleanrooms, energy, commercial buildings and critical infrastructure, emphasising indoor air quality and reduced energy consumption. Company experts are often involved in discussions on standards and regulations in air filtration.
• GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG. A German specialist in technical meshes and metal fabrics. At Filtech, GKD presents metallic and hybrid filtration structures for the chemical industry, food production, mining and other sectors. At the stand, you can see real examples of how modern mesh media operate under demanding conditions of pressure, temperature and contamination.
• NGK Insulators. The company is known for its ceramic membranes and hot gas filtration systems. At Filtech, NGK presents, for example, the Cerallec system for hot gas cleaning and sub-nano ceramic membranes for separating liquid and gas mixtures. For companies working with high-temperature processes and complex gas streams, this is a chance to discuss solutions directly with the developers.
• SGS. A global testing and certification group that uses Filtech as a platform to explain how to correctly test filters — from HVAC systems and masks to medical devices. At the SGS stand, experts advise on standards, testing methodologies and quality management systems for manufacturers of filtration equipment.
• Allied Filter Systems. A manufacturer of filter bags, housings and cartridges. At Filtech 2026, the company showcases a wide range of liquid filtration solutions for chemicals, food and beverage, water treatment and other segments. For visitors, the stand is convenient for comparing different filter configurations and discussing customised solutions for specific process tasks.

In addition to these brands, Filtech regularly hosts dozens of other major and niche players: from membrane start-ups to manufacturers of complete filtration lines. As a result, a single visit gives you an almost complete overview of the global filtration market.

Tips for visitors to Filtech 2026 at Koelnmesse

Filtech has a very dense business programme: conference presentations, short courses, product pitches at the stands and partner meetings all run in parallel. Without a plan, it is easy to miss important opportunities.

• Define your visit objectives. Decide what is your top priority: searching for new membrane technologies, selecting suppliers of cartridges and filter presses, solutions for emission control or finding service partners.
• Study the online exhibitor directory. On the Filtech website there is an interactive list with filters by country, product type and hall. Mark the “must see” stands and build your route in advance.
• Plan your time between Halls 7 and 8. Koelnmesse is a large venue. Moving between stages, halls and food areas takes time, especially at peak hours.
• Register for the conference and short courses. For engineers and process specialists this is a chance, within three days, to get a concentrated update on modern filtration methods, modelling, testing and regulations.
• Use Koelnmesse services. The venue offers cloakrooms, catering areas, Wi-Fi, quiet zones for informal meetings and business lounges. Plan where you will hold meetings and where you can take a break between sessions.
• Leave time for “serendipitous” discoveries. Some of the most interesting solutions at Filtech are found not only on huge stands, but also in compact booths of niche developers. Reserve an hour or two for free exploration of the halls.

The city itself also plays a role: from the Köln Messe/Deutz station it is just a few minutes’ walk to the exhibition entrance, with many hotels and cafés nearby. After an intensive day at Filtech 2026, you can unwind in the old town on the Rhine or stop by Cologne Cathedral.

Product and service categories at Filtech

The Filtech 2026 exhibition covers virtually every challenge that can arise in filtration and separation. From basic filter media to advanced systems for process control and analytics.

Among the key categories presented at the stands:

• Filters and elements for gas and air filtration: cartridges, bag filters, cassette and panel systems, filters for cleanrooms and HVAC.
• Liquid filtration: cartridges, bag systems, depth filters, filter presses, filter cloths and meshes for chemicals, food and beverage, pharma and water treatment.
• Membrane technologies: micro-, ultra- and nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, ceramic membranes, modules for complex mixtures and aggressive media.
• Equipment and components: filter presses, centrifuges, cyclones, bag filters, housings, pumps, valves and dosing systems.
• Measurement and control: instruments for testing filters, measuring porosity, differential pressure, aerosol and dust emissions.
• Solutions for sustainability: regeneration and recycling of filter media, reduced energy consumption of plants, circular concepts and waste minimisation.
• Engineering and consulting services: design of turnkey filtration systems, audits of existing installations, process optimisation and staff training.

For visitors, Filtech offers the chance to see how specific technologies work together in practice: for example, the combination of a membrane stage, pre-filtration and monitoring systems that reduces operating costs and increases process reliability.

How to participate in Filtech 2026 as an exhibitor

If you plan to exhibit at Filtech 2026, the first step is to register via the Exhibitor section on the official exhibition website. There you choose the stand size and type (row, corner, island), as well as additional services: technical equipment, marketing packages, sponsorship activities and logistics options.

Filtech is a strictly professional B2B event, so it is important to describe your company profile and products clearly: the organisers focus on exhibitors whose solutions are genuinely connected with filtration and related processes. Once your application is confirmed, you gain access to exhibitor services, including the online catalogue and tools for inviting customers.

One of the key success factors at Filtech 2026 is the quality of your exhibition stand. In the Koelnmesse halls, alongside the stands of global brands, it is essential to look professional and recognisable: smart stand architecture, clear wayfinding, demo zones where equipment can be touched and seen in operation.

The optimal solution is to entrust the design and construction of the exhibition stand or the rental of a ready-made structure to ESBAU, a professional exhibition stand builder in Europe. ESBAU helps create a stand that reflects the specifics of Filtech, meets Koelnmesse safety and technical requirements and, most importantly, supports your goals: from launching new products to targeted lead generation from specific markets.

Before submitting your application, it is useful to answer a few questions:

• Which product lines and process solutions you want to make the “heroes” of the stand.
• Which types of visitors are your top priority: engineering companies, end customers, distributors, EPC contractors, research teams.
• Whether you plan to give presentations in the conference programme and hold separate talks or demos at the stand.
• How you will collect and process leads: CRM, follow-up meetings after the show, webinars or site visits to your facilities.

With this approach, participation in Filtech 2026 turns from “just being present” into a carefully planned business tool: new contracts, partnerships, access to international markets and a stronger reputation in the professional filtration community.

Exhibition Stand Builder at Filtech