Fabric Filters to Hit $7.5 Bil. By 2012

Fabric filters, which are commonly used to separate the small and harmful particles from stack exhausts, are expected to reach $7.5 billion in demand by 2012 due to new regulations in the U.S. and expansion of industry in China, according to a report by the McIlvaine Company (www.mcilvainecompany.com).

More specifically, growth is expected to be driven by tougher regulations in developed countries and expansion of the electrical generation, cement, steel and other major industries in developing countries. For example, McIlvaine cites a new ambient standard for fine particulate in the United States, which it expects will cause many operators of scrubbers and precipitators to switch to fabric filters. It is also anticipated to cause operators of existing fabric filters to switch bag materials to nonwoven microfibers and membranes.

Mercury reduction requirements are also expected to be a 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.

According to McIlvaine, coal-fired boilers represent the largest application for fabric filters in the immediate future. Since China and the U.S. will be the largest operators of coal-fired boilers in 2012, McIlvaine expects these two countries to represent the largest purchasers of fabric filter systems during this timeframe.

Fabric Filter Systems (Millions)