Advancing filtration standards in the ballast water industry

E Series Filter BS-804E

Filtersafe boosts filtration standards in the ballast water treatment industry by removing 316L grade stainless steel from its filter supply chain

 

Commitment is part of Filtersafe’s $10m market-feedback program and will see the company manufacture its filter screens with the more durable 904L grade steel

 

ISRAEL; Monday 15th February 2021:  Filtersafe, a world leader in automatic seawater filtration, has today announced the removal of 316L grade stainless steel from its supply chain for ballast water treatment system (BWTS) filters. The commitment will see Filtersafe switch to 904L grade stainless steel at its manufacturing facilities in Israel and Hong Kong, which produce filters for around 25% of the global BWTS market. Filtersafe’s pledge comes as the company introduces a plethora of technology upgrades as part of a $10m market-feedback program designed to boost the quality, durability, and turnaround time of BWTS filters – all without impacting filter affordability.

 

Founded with the aim of tackling the world’s most complex water filtration challenges, Filtersafe supplies filters to many of the shipping industry’s leading BWTS manufacturers including De Nora, Ecochlor, Group, Evoqua, ERMA FIRST, SunRui, TeamTec, Techcross, and Wärtsilä. The initiatives announced today mark a step-change for Filtersafe, as the company aims to enhance the agility of its maritime business in response to the shipping industry’s increasingly dynamic regulatory and operational landscape.

 

Until now, 316L steel has been widely used across the global maritime industry as the material of choice for BWTS filter screens. However, the alloy is prone to early pitting corrosion, which can compromise the overall effectiveness of the filter and the entire BWTS. In contrast, 904L steel is up to 82% more durable, meaning it can more effectively support the longevity of filter systems, as well as lowering maintenance costs. To guarantee the quality of steel used in its filters, Filtersafe has invested in two x-ray fluorescence (HHXRF) analyzers that will enable the company to carry out positive material identification (PMI) testing on every metal alloy that enters its manufacturing facilities.

In addition to the x-ray analyzers, other upgrades that form part of the $10m market-feedback program include an FS laser cutting machine designed to improve repeatability in the manufacturing process, thereby minimizing the margin of error and further reducing the possibility of filter screen corrosion. A newly digitalized warehouse system also brings additional accuracy to the manufacturing progress, adding an additional layer of quality assurance as well as optimizing the production line so that filters can be delivered in four to six weeks – the fastest lead time in the global maritime industry.

Commenting on Filtersafe’s latest initiatives, Mark Riggio, Head of Marine at Filtersafe, said: “With ballast water regulations maturing and the global maritime industry shifting its focus to operational compliance, the critical role of filters within overall the BWTS has really come to the fore – with ship owners increasingly understanding that a strong and robust filter is critical to overall system reliability.

 

“As the core material used to build filters, stainless steel should be viewed as a key factor in determining a filter’s long-term performance; it is the first critical building block from which ship owners can realize greater value from their BWTS. By being the first manufacturer to transition away from 316L grade steel, the typical steel used in maritime applications, to 904L we hope to elevate standards across the entire industry and deliver a more efficient balance between filter durability and affordability. At the same time, we’re making a huge effort to introduce new technologies and systems that instill quality across the entire filter supply chain, from start to finish, creating better value for BWMS manufacturers, as well as ship owners and operators.”

 

Commenting on Filtersafe’s decision to use 904L grade stainless steel to produce its filter screens, Marcie Merksamer, Vice President at EnviroManagement, Inc, said: “Filtersafe’s switch from 316L grade stainless steel to 904L is a step-change for the maritime industry. The move will not only increase the longevity of Filtersafe’s filters but also minimize maintenance and increase the run-time of ballast water treatment systems (BWTS). This, in turn, improves OPEX for both BWTS manufacturers as well as shipowners, as there will be less potential for system failures.

 

“Filtersafe’s investment in developing and improving technology demonstrates the company’s commitment to providing quality BWTS filters. With the implementation phase of ballast water regulations underway, shipowners need confidence their systems are meeting the requirements. New innovations, including the introduction of 904L steel, will play a key role in supporting compliance. With more data available to measure and drive progress, ongoing ballast water treatment research and development is more essential than ever.”

 

Following the introduction of the 904L steel and supporting technology at Filtersafe’s manufacturing facilities, the company is working on an industry outreach program that will see it work with BWTS manufacturers to assess the performance of filters currently in operation. Filtersafe intends to extract lessons learned and share them with others in a further bid to increase standards across the industry. The industry outreach program is underway now and is set to accelerate once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and international travel mobility improves.

 

 

COVID-19 Virus (Coronavirus) Statement

To Our Valued Customers and Partners,

During this time of unprecedented uncertainty, all of us here at Filtersafe are concerned about the safety and well-being of our families, colleagues, customers, partners, as well as the entire Filtersafe global family.

Our hearts are with those who have been affected personally by the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) as well as the many communities around the world that are facing extreme measures in the attempt to slow its spread.

In today’s challenging environment, we want to provide you more information as to how we are continuing to operate at all premises and doing our best to ensure our customers are served.

  • Our customers & employees are our top priority.
  • We are still taking orders and providing supply: our head office and our Hong Kong operations are continuing business.
  • We are still providing support as always. 

Filtersafe is fully committed to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of our employees. This is our top priority to maintain the business continuity needed to provide the support and service you rely on.

Filtersafe management has put the following measures in place to ensure the continuation of our working operations while safeguarding the health of our employees and minimizing the impact on the delivery of services to you:

Company Assurance for Customers

  • Working Remotely: For the majority of teams, work can be conducted through remote connections, which enables teams to work off-site for most tasks. Engineers around the globe are working separately and remotely where possible to mitigate the risk of an entire team becoming infected. Employees who must be on-site are applying social distancing and hygiene protocols based on guidance from health authorities and our Global Pandemic Task Force.
  • Safety On-Site: Where on-site work is required, staff who are on-site to accomplish specific tasks are spending only the minimum time required in locations. Additionally, teams have implemented rotating schedules to reduce the number of people in a single location and to separate individuals in common teams as much as possible. Filtersafe has also provided gloves and masks for the protection of on-site workers.
  • Initiating split-team options and select staff segregation for business-critical roles/functions.
  • Cancellation or postponement of physical events until further notice, and evaluating which events will be delivered as a virtual experience.
  • Restricting all employee travel.

Company Guidance to Employees

  • Filtersafe has established a Global Pandemic Taskforce, working in tandem with local crisis teams and health authorities, to coordinate all efforts around the COVID-19 situation and provide guidance to Filtersafe staff.
  • Initiating split-team options and select staff segregation for business-critical roles/functions.
  • Cancellation or postponement of physical events until further notice, and evaluating which events will be delivered as a virtual experience.
  • Restricting all employee travel.

With these measures in place, it is our intention that production will be maintained throughout this epidemic to minimize the impact on our customers whilst maintaining the safety of our employees. Thank you for your continued support and we wish good health and safety to all our business partners, their employees, and families.