Ahlstrom strengthens industrial filtration portfolio with advanced synthetic fiber technology expansion in Illinois

Ahlstrom strengthens industrial filtration portfolio with advanced synthetic fiber technology expansion in Illinois

(IN BRIEF) Ahlstrom is making a major investment to upgrade its manufacturing line in Taylorville, Illinois, enhancing its ability to produce advanced synthetic filtration materials. The upgraded line, expected to be operational by late 2026, will support up to 100 percent synthetic fiber compositions as well as customizable blends, and will feature saturation and corrugation capabilities suited for both single- and dual-layer media. The new materials will offer improved filtration efficiency, dust-holding capacity, and durability for demanding applications across HVAC, process liquids, food and beverage, gas turbines, pollution control, and mobility systems. Vice President Willy Bordignon noted that the investment strengthens Ahlstrom’s filtration technology offering in North America and reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainable innovation and industrial sector growth.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 3-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Ahlstrom, has announced a significant strategic investment to modernize and expand the capabilities of its production line in Taylorville, Illinois. The upgrade will enable the facility to manufacture a new generation of advanced synthetic filtration materials, strengthening Ahlstrom’s position in key industrial and transportation markets and supporting customers responding to growing demand for sustainable, high-performance filtration solutions.

When completed and operational in the final quarter of 2026, the enhanced line will be equipped to produce materials composed of up to 100 percent synthetic fibers, while also offering the flexibility to incorporate blends of glass and cellulose where needed. The line is being designed to support both single-layer and dual-layer filtration structures and will include saturation and corrugation capabilities. This versatility ensures that manufacturers can tailor filter performance to a wide variety of applications without sacrificing durability or consistency.

Synthetic filtration media produced on the upgraded line will deliver higher filtration efficiency, strong dust-holding capacity, and exceptional resilience in demanding environments. These materials are used across multiple sectors where reliable contaminant control is essential. Enhanced products coming from Taylorville will support next-generation requirements in:

• HVAC systems, helping improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency for healthier, more sustainable buildings.
• Process liquid and food and beverage applications, where strict purity standards and regulatory compliance drive the need for stable, high-quality filtration.
• Gas turbine intake and air pollution control, protecting equipment from airborne particles in harsh environments and reducing harmful emissions.
• Engine oil, fuel, and transmission systems, ensuring fluid cleanliness and long-term protection of critical components for modern mobility technologies.

Willy Bordignon, Vice President of Filtration Americas at Ahlstrom, said the investment reflects the company’s long-term commitment to the region and to advancing innovation in industrial filtration. “This expansion broadens our technology offering in the North American market,” he said. “We are committed to supporting regional growth, accelerating sustainable innovation, and strengthening our portfolio of high-performance filtration materials for industrial customers.”

For more information, please contact: Willy Bordignon, VP Filtration Americas, willy.bordignon@ahlstrom.com

For more information about Ahlstrom’s filtration solutions, please visit: Ahlstrom – Filter media

Ahlstrom in brief 
Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials segments, along with the Performance Materials Cluster, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2024 amounted to EUR 3.0 billion and we employ some 7,000 people. Read more at www.ahlstrom.com.

SOURCE: Ahlstrom