German manufacturers have a very long history in air filter production. Air filters from German manufacturers have an excellent reputation in Europe and worldwide. I can say without exaggeration that the developments and innovations of German air filter manufacturers have pushed the whole industry forward. For example, the EN 1822 standard, well-known to filtration professionals, is based on the German DIN standard. This is a testament to the prominence of German manufacturers in this industry.
I am no stranger to the air filter market in Germany and have seen some German air filter manufacturers at some exhibitions. In this blog, I will introduce you to Germany’s top 10 air filter manufacturers, clarifying their products and what makes them famous among many people’s first choices.
So, whether you’re a business owner looking for a reliable air filtration solution or a curious consumer looking to learn about the best brands on the Garman market, this list can give you something to work with.
List of the TOP 10 Air Filter Manufacturers in Germany
- KOIN
- MANN+HUMMEL
- MAHLE
- Hengst SE
- KNECHT Filterwerke
- Freudenberg Filtration Technologies
- HS-Luftfilterbau GmbH
- IREMA
- AEROFIL
- KALTHOFF
Now let’s see more details of each air filter manufacturer below:
TOP1. KOIN
Location: Suzhou, China
Company Type: Manufacturer
Year Founded: 2006
Number of Employees: Over 140
Main Product: Cabin air filters, HEPA filters, Cartridge filters, High-temperature filters, V bank filters
Market Focus: Automotive original equipment and aftermarket, industrial filtration solutions, Custom and OEM, HVAC systems
KOIN’s prominence in the filtration industry places us on this list, resulting in thousands of projects completed and a global client base. From the development of filter materials to the design and manufacturing of filters, our in-depth understanding of the filtration industry is reflected. Our applications cover almost all areas of air filtration, whether it is household appliances, commercial buildings, rail transit, or high-end dust-free environments required for manufacturing. Our products have been trusted and praised by customers.
TOP2. MANN+HUMMEL
- Location: Ludwigsburg, Germany
- Company Type: Manufacturer
- Year Founded: 1938-1942
- Number of Employees: Over 20,000
- Main Product: Engine air filters, cabin air filters, liquid filter systems for automotive applications, HVAC filters, water filtration systems
- Market Focus: Automotive original equipment and aftermarket, industrial filtration solutions, water filtration, HVAC systems
Strictly speaking, I think MANN+HUMMEL was born between 1938 and 1942. During this period, they gradually began to produce air filtration related products and determined the company’s future development direction. The filters they produced for cars were well known, including air filters, cabin air filters, and oil filters. They have a relatively high share in the after-sales market and can be purchased directly on many online platforms. Their development in the industrial filtration market has grown rapidly in recent years.
TOP3. MAHLE
- Location: Stuttgart, Germany
- Company Type: Manufacturer
- Year Founded: 1920
- Number of Employees: Over 72,000
- Main Product: Engine components (pistons, cylinder liners), filtration solutions (air, oil, cabin filters), turbochargers, thermal management systems
- Market Focus: Automotive components, industrial machinery, off-highway applications, rail transportation, marine applications
Mahler’s success dates back to 1920 when cars’ internal combustion engines still used heavy ductile iron. The Mahler brothers, however, produced light-alloy pistons in their new, small-scale company. They eventually developed air and oil filters to keep the engine dust-free. When light alloy pistons began to dominate the market, their efforts finally paid off. Today, they are the world’s top auto parts manufacturer, and one out of every two cars uses Mahle parts. With centuries of history and successful experience, I must put them on this list.
TOP4. Hengst SE
- Location: Münster, Germany
- Company Type: Manufacturer
- Year Founded: 1958
- Number of Employees: Over 3,000
- Main Product: Engine oil filters, fuel filters, air filters, hydraulic filters, coolant filters, transmission oil filters
- Market Focus: Automotive industry, industrial applications, marine engines, agricultural machinery, construction equipment
Hengst SE is a family-owned company that is medium-sized in the air filter industry, specializing in producing air filters for industrial ventilation, home HVAC, and some household appliances. They are also involved in the medical and protective fields. Their car filter products have a long history and are unique. After several generations of hard work, they have established a reputation in the filter market. Compared with some large companies, they are more flexible and provide customers with more options, just like us.
TOP5. KNECHT Filterwerke
- Location: Offenburg, Germany
- Company Type: Manufacturer
- Year Founded: 1899
- Number of Employees: Thousands
- Main Product: Air filters for automotive and industrial applications, liquid filters (oil and fuel), cabin air filters, specialized filters for niche markets
- Market Focus: Automotive industry, OEM, specialized filtration needs
This is a company with a long history. They only focus on automobile air, cabin, and oil filters. They are also the first company in Europe to apply filter paper to automobile oil filters. They specialize in OEM services for other car brands. This is another development direction compared to other companies focusing more on their brands. However, this has allowed them to get a lot of orders in the OEM market, and the company has grown rapidly. This reverse business thinking is inspiring.
TOP6. Freudenberg Filtration Technologies
- Location: Weinheim, Germany
- Company Type: Manufacturer
- Year Founded: Part of the Freudenberg Group established in 1849
- Number of Employees: Tens of thousands globally
- Main Product: Air filters for automotive applications (engine intake and cabin air), industrial air and liquid filtration systems, HVAC filters for commercial and residential buildings, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and ultra-low penetration air (ULPA) filters
- Market Focus: Automotive and transportation, industrial manufacturing and processing, building and HVAC systems, specialized sectors like healthcare and food & beverage
The Freudenberg Company is one of the world’s largest air filter manufacturers and one of the oldest companies. Their global influence is huge; almost everyone in the industrial filtration field knows this company. The technology, innovation, and R&D of their products make them one of the first air filter choices in industrial environments. I pay attention to their new products almost yearly, representing the industry’s direction and trend. In addition, they have another unparalleled advantage. They develop and produce filter paper themselves. Innovations in materials have allowed them to remain at the forefront of the air filtration industry for a long time.
TOP7. HS-Luftfilterbau GmbH
- Location: Flintbek, near Kiel, Germany
- Company Type: Manufacturer & Wholesaler
- Year Founded: 1973
- Number of Employees: Approximately 180 worldwide
- Main Product: Air Filters (Standard and Customer Specified Solutions)
- Market Focus: Air Filtration in Climatic and Ventilation Systems of any Category or Size
Traditional air filter manufacturers cannot be ignored. Although they are not as good as those top companies, they can help customers solve many problems with flexible business routes and service concepts. Such is the case with this company; they started as a wholesaler and later transitioned into a manufacturer specializing in air filters for industrial filtration. Many traditional manufacturers in this industry have become the middle force in the air filtration industry. Sometimes, they can bring surprises if you inquire.
TOP8. IREMA
- Location: Postbauer-Pavelsbach, Germany
- Company Type: Manufacturer
- Year Founded: 1975
- Number of Employees: Approximately 110
- Main Product: Air Filters, HEPA filters, HVAC filters, HYBRID filters.
- Market Focus: HVAC applications, Automotive filtration like cabin filters, oil filters, Air intake systems filtration, and Medical applications.
IREMA
In 1975, the company was first established to produce surgical masks. Twenty years later, in 1995, they began producing filter materials and air filters for the automotive industry and gradually produced other air filters. And entered industries such as HVAC and industrial air filtration. Production equipment research and development, filter material innovation, and the application of mixed fibers in filters to improve filtration efficiency and reduce resistance are some of their success factors. In addition, their mini pleat filter design is unique and has left a deep impression on me.
TOP9. AEROFIL
- Location: Dombühl, Germany
- Company Type: Manufacturer
- Year Founded: 2009
- Number of Employees: Approximately 120
- Main Product: HEPA filters, HVAC filters, Air Intake filters.
- Market Focus: HVAC applications, Surface coating industry, VOCs process.
Compared with other companies, AEROFIL was established a little later, in 2009, but this does not prevent it from quickly becoming an excellent air filter manufacturer. Mature technology and industry experience make their filters high-quality and stable. At the same time, they also have a group of industry elites. These valuable talents also make them very prominent in the OEM market. Their services cover every aspect, from accessories and semi-finished products to finished products. For now, their main markets are in the industrial and HVAC sectors. I want to emphasize here that excellent industry talents are an important factor in a company’s success, which is the case for this company.
TOP10. KALTHOFF
- Location: Selm, Germany
- Company Type: Manufacturer
- Year Founded: 1963
- Number of Employees: Approximately 110
- Main Products: HEPA filters, Compact filters, Carbon filters.
- Market Focus: Buildings, clean rooms, process air, Ventilating systems in vehicles
This company has a long history, launching its first panel filter in 1981 and quickly taking over the market. Today, their filter products are very rich, and their product applications cover commercial buildings, clean rooms, rail transit, and some exhaust gas treatment scenarios. Stable product quality and strong R&D capabilities enable them to enjoy a high reputation in the fields they specialize in. They have also become a major force in industry associations such as (The Association of German Mechanical and Plant Engineering)VDMA, and (the Association of the European Railway Industry)UNIFE. Such honors mean that they have been recognized by many high-end customers and industry experts, just like us.
Conclusion
Above, we have carefully analyzed the available data for each manufacturer to provide you with a concise and comprehensive profile that illustrates their contributions and advantages in the industry. Most German air filter manufacturers have a long history and stable product quality, and Germany’s air filter industry is also relatively developed. These manufacturers meet Germany’s filtration needs and provide products and services to customers worldwide.
Our custom and OEM services and strong R&D capabilities make us a top choice for customers seeking the best air filtration. Contact KOIN today to get a free quote.
