US firm mulls air filter manufacturing in PH
American firm Wagmi Solutions (WS) is planning to establish a manufacturing facility in the Philippines dedicated to producing high-efficiency air filters through its subsidiary Nanoforge Technologies, which is diversifying its product sourcing.
Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo
E. Pascual led the discussions with Wagmi officials on the sidelines of the United States-japan-philippines Trilateral Meeting in Washington D. C. In a statement Monday, April 15, Pascual said their meeting focused on Nanoforge's plans to establish a manufacturing facility in the Philippines dedicated to producing high-efficiency air filters.
The Philippine operation aims to produce HEPA filters for Nanoforge’s customer Medify Air and to diversify manufacturing operations currently based in China and Mexico.
According to Pascual, the proposed facility will specialize in the production of High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, designed to remove a significant percentage of airborne particles, including dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and viruses.
Under the plan, Nanoforge will manufacture and export these HEPA filters to its main customer Medify Air - a major air purifier brand in the US. The DTI cited the initiative as its manufacturing process will utilize activated carbon sourced from coconut shells, directly benefiting Filipino coconut farmers.
“We welcome Nanoforge's investment, which aligns perfectly with our goals to strengthen the coconut industry and create more jobs for Filipinos. Through the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), we are committed to ensuring that this venture is successful and beneficial for all parties involved,” said Pascual.
The DTI statement noted that the invest
ment plan is poised to enhance the coconut industry and create numerous job opportunities in the manufacturing sector. Nanoforge’s advanced air filters offer innovative solutions tailored for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
There was no mention though on the potential amount of investments and the project’s timeframe, but DTI said that the next steps for Nanoforge is to meet with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority officials to discuss the incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act.