#Product Trends
PLUS means more: Atlas Copco raises the bar with next-gen PES filter range for critical liquid applications
The SME⁺ marks a new era in membrane filtration - offering extended durability, better wettability, and robust performance across food, beverage, and chemical applications
Atlas Copco is taking filtration performance to the next level with the launch of its new PES PLUS range, starting with SME⁺, a cartridge filter designed to meet today’s demanding liquid processing needs.
For industries like food and beverage, where process reliability, sterility, and compliance are non-negotiable, SME⁺ offers an advanced solution to support production quality while improving operational resilience. The result is a new generation of sterile filtration that brings greater confidence, cleaner output, and long-term savings.
More than an upgrade, this is filtration reimagined
SME⁺ builds on Atlas Copco’s legacy of high-performance PES membrane filters, but takes a bold step forward in terms of construction, compatibility, and longevity. Available in both standard and pharmaceutical grades, it’s engineered to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient bioburden control and sterilization of valuable process liquids.
The filter uses a single-layer asymmetric, hydrophilic PES membrane, selected for its ability to retain particles and micro-organisms without compromising flow. Its low extractables and minimal protein binding properties help safeguard the integrity of sensitive products across critical applications.
Built for wettability, durability, and compliance
Key to the SME⁺ design is its enhanced wettability, achieved through the use of PET support layers and nylon end supports. Compared to polypropylene alternatives, these materials significantly improve the filter’s hydrophilic behavior, making it easier and faster to wet—an important factor in reducing downtime and water consumption.
Every SME⁺ cartridge is 100% integrity tested and flushed with deionized water prior to packaging, ensuring it arrives ready for performance-critical environments. With materials carefully chosen for broad chemical compatibility, these filters are suited for use with a wide range of solvents, acids, and bases. This also allows for effective chemical regeneration, helping users extend the service life of each element.
Meeting the needs of today’s processing lines
The SME⁺ is available in multiple ratings and device configurations, providing flexibility across diverse processing setups. It’s built to withstand tough service, and cleaning conditions and features an improved number of SIP (steam-in-place) cycles compared to its predecessor - the SME, meaning longer use, fewer changeouts, and less waste over time.
Applications include bioburden control, sterilization of liquids, and final filtration of edible products such as bottled water, beer, wine, juices, soft drinks, and non-carbonated beverages. Its robust design makes it equally suitable for chemical processes that require high-purity filtration and resistance to aggressive cleaning agents.
More PLUS solutions for high-performance filtration
Alongside SME⁺, the new PES PLUS range also includes SME-X⁺, a double-layer PES membrane cartridge designed for even higher levels of assurance. This version provides an extra layer of safety in sensitive processes where redundancy and enhanced protection are required.
For producers focused on high-efficiency bioburden reduction without full sterilization, BME⁺ is the ideal solution. It offers reliable filtration for a wide variety of edible liquids and process applications, delivering consistent performance with the same build quality and durability that define the PLUS family.
A reliable partner for your process and product
Atlas Copco’s PES PLUS range, with SME⁺, SME-X⁺, and BME⁺ at its core, delivers on the promise of safe, sustainable filtration, protecting not just the product, but the process and the people behind it. With these new solutions, producers gain more than just a filter. They gain a tool for improving quality assurance, supporting regulatory compliance, and driving overall process performance.
