Nanofibers are one of the unique materials which have one order of magnitude smaller than conventional fibers. The high surface-to-volume ratio, low resistance, and enhanced filtration performance make nanofibers an attractive material for many applications such as healthcare, energy, and air filtration.
Nanofiber technology holds a great deal of promise for filtration applications due to its advanced adequate filtration capabilities and continues to see new research and development. For example, in 2019, Verdex Technologies introduced technology for spinning nanofibers using low-pressure air and no solvents. The technology provides nonwovens producers with the ability to offer various functional enhancements to their products, particularly high-efficiency air filtration and liquid cartridge filtration products.
Demand for nonwovens used in filtration applications is projected to climb 2.7% annually to $1.5 billion in 2024. The market is increasing due to the following factors:
– Increasing interest and awareness among consumers and homeowners in indoor air and drinking water quality, leading to new spending on filtration products
– Growth in manufacturing activities, which make use of nonwovens in both air and fluid filters
– Ongoing development of advanced nanofiber technologies, which offer good filtration capabilities than microfiber and coarser materials, and make nonwovens more competitive with alternatives such as membranes
– Continued regulation of air and water quality, requiring the filtration of outgoing air and wastewater in manufacturing applications
