Conference Speakers

Kent Williamson

Head of Product Development & Quality, Ahlstrom

BIOGRAPHY

Kent Williamson is Head of Product Development for Ahlstrom, Americas. He has over 30 years of experience in the global filtration market with extensive development and customer focus in mobile engine and industrial applications.

Kent has spent his entire career with Ahlstrom in various positions in Quality, TCS and Product Development with specific focus on fibers, chemistry and processes related to a wide array of filtration media products.

Kent has a BS degree in Pulp and Paper Engineering from North Carolina State University and currently resides in Nashville, TN.  

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Innovating the Future of Filtration for a More Sustainable World

The emphasis of this presentation is on the critical importance of contaminant free air and water quality for both human health and the environment. It highlights the increasing awareness of the harmful effects of poor air quality, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and its broader impact on biodiversity and the economy. As a result, regulatory bodies are expected to enforce stricter air quality standards in various settings, including homes and workplaces.

Today, nearly every industry depends on advanced, high-performance filtration to purify fluids and gases as well as safeguarding both people and systems. As we look to the future of filtration, a clear trend is emerging toward greener, more efficient solutions. In air filtration, sustainability means using filter media, systems, and processes that not only clean the air effectively but also positively impact the environment by lowering carbon footprints.

The filtration industry looks to global leaders like us for expertise and innovation. Our diverse

portfolio of specialty materials—including bio-based, synthetic, and recycled fibers—is crafted to help customers achieve the optimal balance between performance and sustainability across various applications. This embodies our mission to "Purify and Protect with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World." As environmental challenges evolve, embedding sustainability into our innovation strategy is more than a trend—it's a commitment to responsibility, driving the development and production of the next generation of filter media at Ahlstrom.

The paper discusses two main sustainability approaches in filtration technology:

1.     Core sustainability: Providing fluorocarbon-free solutions and increasing the use of bio-sourced raw materials to improve sustainability throughout the production process.

2.     Functional sustainability: Developing energy-efficient, high-performance filtration products that last longer, consume less energy, and provide better filtration, thus reducing the carbon footprint of customers.

From circular economy principles to sustainable open innovation across our portfolio, this paper explains how we pave the way in which air filtration is becoming a powerful vehicle in the quest for a more sustainable filtration future.

Panelist

Our panelists will discuss sustainable filtration innovations, focusing on circularity, advanced materials, and eco-friendly practices. Topics will include new government regulations, cutting-edge filtration technologies and the impact of improved filter media on performance and sustainability