When using compressed air in your operations, one question often arises: Do I really need a filter? The short answer is yes—regardless of the application, a proper air filtration system is essential to protect your equipment, your end product, and your long-term investment.

In this article, we’ll explain why compressed air filters matter, the types available, and how to choose the right one for your needs.

Compressed air, straight from the compressor, often contains impurities like dust, oil vapour, water, and even microscopic contaminants. Without proper filtration, these pollutants can cause serious issues—damaging pneumatic tools, clogging machinery, and compromising product quality.
 

Take an automotive workshop, for example. Compressed air powers everything from pneumatic tools to tire inflation systems. If that air contains dirt or oil, tools may corrode over time, and tires can trap unwanted residues. In paint booths, even minor contamination can ruin finishes. A well-selected air filter helps prevent all of this.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Pneumatech offers a wide range of compressed air filters to suit different needs, each designed to remove specific types of contaminants. Here's a breakdown of the main categories:

1. Threaded filters
Basic and easy to maintain, these filters feature corrosion-resistant aluminium housings. Available in coalescing, particulate, and absorber variants, they’re ideal for general use across various industries.

2. Flanged filters
Built for more demanding environments, flanged filters come with high-performance coatings and are designed for long service life (up to 20 years). With flow capacities of up to 17,999 m³/h, they’re perfect for larger systems or high-volume applications.

3. Carbon filters
These filters excel at removing oil vapours, odours, and hydrocarbons. When paired with Pneumatech coalescing filters, they help achieve ISO 8573-1:2010 Class 1 air quality—ideal for sensitive processes like food packaging, pharmaceuticals, and electronics.

4. High-pressure filters
Designed to handle elevated PSI levels, these filters use advanced fibreglass and non-woven media to ensure superior contaminant removal. They reduce pressure drops and cut operating costs, making them ideal for high-pressure systems.

• General-purpose filters (P, G) are perfect for powering pneumatic tools, actuators, and packaging lines.
• High-performance coalescing and vapour filters (C, V) are best suited for spray booths, air bearings, and metering instruments.
• Carbon filters are recommended for critical applications where oil-free air is essential, such as pharmaceutical production and food processing.