GKD at FILTECH Cologne 2026: mesh, components, and process reliability from one single source

GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG presented technical metal mesh, filter media, process belts, and further-processed mesh components for reliable processes in demanding industrial applications at FILTECH Cologne 2026.

Key facts at a glance:

The focus is on applications where process reliability, reproducible quality, and secure integration into existing systems are crucial.

• Mesh-in-Mesh combines coarse and fine mesh structures for greater energy efficiency in electrolysis.
• A video production insight into the Automotive Room concept shows the manufacturing of technical metal mesh components under near-series industrial conditions.
• In the Process Belts segment, the focus is on VACUBELT for horizontal vacuum belt filters.

Exclusive insight: weaving technology holds the promise of higher efficiency

With Mesh-in-Mesh, GKD provided an early preview of a new mesh technology at FILTECH Cologne 2026, ahead of the official product announcement. This approach was developed on the basis of many years of experience in water electrolysis. GKD has translated specific customer requirements into a new mesh structure that aligns material, geometry, permeability, surface, and further processing. Initial scientific tests show that Mesh-in-Mesh is capable of increasing the energy efficiency of industrial electrolyzers.

Series quality for process-reliable mesh components

In addition to solutions for specific applications, GKD will present its expertise as a provider that develops technical mesh into series-produced components for demanding industrial applications at its trade fair booth.

As an example, a video at the booth provides an insight into the Automotive Rooms in GKD’s production facilities worldwide, where GKD develops customer requirements into prototypes and produces them in series quality. The Automotive Rooms demonstrate how defined mesh properties and stable geometries are combined with reliable further-processing methods on the basis of many years of experience in industries and applications — ultimately resulting in automated manufacturing processes with reproducible, very high quality.

Process expertise across numerous applications

One of the many components manufactured in the Automotive Rooms is the spark arrestor, which serves as a flame arrester in battery modules. In addition to mesh selection, process expertise in sealing, joining, component geometry, differential pressure, and verification is incorporated into series production.

In many other industries as well — including chemicals, medical technology, aerospace, and technical protection applications — GKD combines its market experience with individual customer requirements to create series-ready production processes.

“For many customers, the mesh alone is not the decisive factor, but rather the question of how it can be turned into a reliably manufacturable component,” says Markus Knefel, Product Developer at GKD. “It is precisely at this interface between mesh, component design, and manufacturing process that our expertise and experience pay off.”

VACUBELT for horizontal vacuum belt filters

With the VACUBELT belt model, GKD will also demonstrate the role of filter belts in continuous filtration and dewatering. The focus is specifically on horizontal vacuum belt filters, where the belt has a significant influence on process stability, dewatering performance, and filtrate clarity.

Typical applications range from the dewatering of phosphogypsum and FGD gypsum to potash, salt, and soda, as well as the dewatering of concentrates from processing operations for various ores. VACUBELT filter belts are designed exclusively to match the application and the properties of the suspension.

“With our VACUBELT filter belts, the application determines the choice of mesh and the correct belt design,” says Philipp Wolff, Sales and Applications Manager at GKD. “Our task is to translate the requirements of diverse dewatering processes into robust, efficient, and high-performance belt solutions.” gkd-group.com