IFTS

What IFTS does

IFTS (Institut de la Filtration et des Techniques Séparatives) is an independent, non-profit French association founded in 1981 by Roger Ben Aïm, professor of chemical engineering at the University of Toulouse, to bridge academic research and industrial application in separation and filtration. Headquartered in Foulayronnes (near Agen, southwest France) with a 2,500 m² facility plus a 700 m² water testing center (Centre de l'Eau Roger Ben Aïm) opened in 2018, IFTS operates one of the only independent filter testing centers in Europe, COFRAC ISO/IEC 17025-accredited and ISO 9001-certified. The organization generated 2,512 test reports for 329 clients in 2021, with the Filter Testing Center alone generating approximately €1.4M in annual revenue.

IFTS generates revenue across four streams: (1) standardized and custom filter testing and analysis services (its core, ~€1.4M), (2) design and manufacture of proprietary filter test benches and pilot equipment — the firm is a self-described world leader in this field since 1990 with 12 in-house benches and 30 testing rigs, (3) studies, expertise, and process optimization for separation operations, and (4) professional training programs covering air filtration, membrane filtration, water treatment, and related topics. Its only differentiation sources are accredited, independent testing, a unique real-water testing infrastructure directly connected to a drinking water plant and wastewater station, and contributions to international standards (ISO 16232, ISO 18413, ISO 12584).

The firm operates a sales-led, event-driven go-to-market model with a small dedicated commercial team (Sales Director Marion Dalex, Technical Sales Engineer Eric Lemoine) and wholly-owned subsidiaries in Middlesex, NJ (USA) and Shanghai (China), supporting 65% export revenue share. In October 2025 the Board of Directors adopted mandatory membership for any service or equipment order effective January 2026, with tiered annual fees ranging from €200 HT (technical centers) to €8,000 HT (very large companies) per establishment—converting its distributed client base into a recurring, subscription-style revenue layer atop project-based testing and equipment sales.

Name

IFTS

Legal name

INSTITUT DE LA FILTRATION ET DES TECHNIQUES SÉPARATIVES (IFTS)

Website

https://ifts-sls.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IFTS is an independent, non-profit French association and accredited filter testing center operating since 1981, providing standardized and custom filter testing, proprietary test bench manufacturing, water treatment validation, and separation expertise to enterprise clients across aerospace, automotive, chemical, pharmaceutical, and water sectors worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Foulayronnes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Filter Testing and Analysis Services: Core testing services for filters and membranes including standardized and custom tests. Filter Testing Center generates approximately €1.4 million annual revenue.
2. Test Equipment Design and Manufacturing: Sale of filter test benches and custom testing equipment. Leading world manufacturer of filter test benches since 2011.
3. Studies and Expertise: Technical studies, process optimization, on-site expertise and audits for separation operations.
4. Professional Training: Training courses on filtration and separation techniques offered multiple times per year covering various topics like air filtration, membrane filtration, water treatment, etc.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IFTS is a technology transfer center that provides independent filtration and separation testing services, including filter qualification, particulate contamination analysis, and characterization of filter media and membranes. It also designs and manufactures proprietary filter test benches and offers professional training, applied research, and expertise studies in separation techniques across industries such as aerospace, automotive, water, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food.

Product overview

IFTS (Institut de la Filtration et des Techniques Séparatives) is a technology transfer center offering a comprehensive portfolio of filtration and separation services. The core offerings include the Centre d'Essais de Filtres (Filter Testing Center) providing standardized and custom filter testing, and the Centre de l'Eau Roger Ben Aïm for water treatment research and validation. IFTS also designs and manufactures its own Bancs d'Essais de Filtres (filter test benches) for various testing applications including water-fuel separation, filtration efficiency, and pressure loss. Supporting services include analysis and characterization, studies and expertise, professional training programs, and research and standardization activities. The organization serves multiple industry sectors including automotive, aerospace, chemistry, pharmacy, agro-food, and water treatment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Centre de l'Eau Roger Ben Aïm: Water research and experimentation center specializing in water treatment process validation

Quantifiable outcome

• Filter Testing Center generates €1.4 million annual revenue
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Institut Carnot Eau & EnvironnementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of the Carnot Institute network focusing on water and environment research. Contributes to sustainable water management projects, wastewater reuse, and pollutant treatment.
• AFNORcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in standards development and normalization activities at French and European level.
• AFS (Air Filtration Society)minorOthersInternational filtration society for knowledge sharing and professional network.
• ASTEEminorOthersScientific and technical association for water and environment professionals.
• Aerospace ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompetitiveness cluster for aerospace industry collaboration in southwest France.
• Cluster Eau & ClimatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional cluster for water and climate solutions, promoting sustainable water management.
• Université/Research Laboratories NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with universities including TREFLE I2M Bordeaux, TIMR UTC Compiègne, IEM Montpellier, ENSTIMAC Albi, LATEP ENSGTI Pau, ISVV Bordeaux, and others for research collaboration.
• Agglomération d'AgencoreOthersSupported construction of Roger Ben Aïm Water Center with €75,000 contribution.
• Région Nouvelle-AquitainecoreOthersProvided €375,000 funding through regional council and FEDER for water center construction.
• ADEBAGminorOthersWater and environment association for sector networking.
• Gascogne EnvironnementminorOthersEnvironmental industry association for sector collaboration.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Intertek: Multinational testing and inspection provider with labs across Europe serving aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors. Comparable as an accredited testing competitor bidding on filter qualification, particulate contamination, and performance testing contracts.
• Element Materials Technology: Global testing laboratory specializing in materials, product, and qualification testing for aerospace, automotive, and industrial clients. Comparable as an accredited lab competitor for filtration, contamination, and component qualification work.
• TÜV Rheinland: Global testing and certification body with deep expertise in industrial and product safety testing. Comparable as an accredited incumbent that competes for industrial filter and component testing mandates across European industrial customers.
• Bureau Veritas: International TIC (testing, inspection, certification) group offering industrial and environmental testing services. Comparable as an accredited broad-based testing competitor with European footprint that IFTS intersects with in automotive, aerospace, and water sectors.
• SGS: Global testing, inspection, and certification giant with industrial and environmental testing labs across Europe. Comparable as a large-scale accredited testing provider that IFTS competes against for filter and environmental validation work, though SGS spans many verticals beyond filtration.
• Eurofins Scientific: Major European-headquartered testing group with strong presence in environmental and industrial product testing. Comparable as a broad-scope accredited lab competitor, particularly relevant for IFTS's water and environmental testing at the Roger Ben Aïm centre.

Direct peers

• Donaldson Company: Filtration manufacturer with strong aerospace and industrial filter portfolios and internal R&D test capability. Comparable as an IFTS member/customer that competes for in-house testing budgets in the same filtration applications.
• MANN+HUMMEL: Global filtration specialist with automotive and industrial product lines plus internal testing infrastructure. Comparable as a major filter manufacturer that uses third-party labs (like IFTS) for qualification but also runs significant in-house testing programs.
• Porvair Filtration Group: UK-listed filtration and separation specialist serving aerospace, industrial process, and analytical applications. Comparable as a specialized filter manufacturer with internal testing needs that overlap with IFTS's aerospace and industrial filtration testing scope.
• Pall Corporation: Global filtration and separation solutions manufacturer with internal test labs serving aerospace, automotive, and industrial customers. Comparable because Pall both manufactures filters and operates in-house validation, positioning it as both a customer and a competitor to IFTS's filter testing services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ifts1607
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ifts

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IFTS