Research Says Fabric Filter Sales to Reach $7.5 billion By 2012

Fabric filters separate the small and harmful particles from stack exhausts. Due to new regulations in the U.S. and expansion of industry in China, the fabric filter system market will expand robustly to $7.5 billion in 2012. This new forecast is displayed in the Fabric Filter & Elements World Markets published by the McIlvaine Company.

The growth is being driven by tougher regulations in developed countries and expansion of the electrical generation, cement, steel and other major industries in developing countries. A new ambient standard for fine particulate in the U.S. will cause many operators of scrubbers and precipitators to switch to fabric filters. It will cause operators of existing fabric filters to switch bag materials to nonwoven microfibers and membranes.

Mercury reduction requirements will be another driver. Cement plants and coal-fired boilers in the U.S. will be fitted with secondary fabric filters and activated carbon injection systems for the purpose of mercury capture.

Coal-fired boilers represent the largest application. Since China and the U.S. will be the largest operators of coal-fired boilers in 2012, it is no surprise that they will be the largest purchasers of fabric filter systems.