Crossflow filtration has transformed wine production over the past decade — and breweries are now recognising its potential. As Australian and New Zealand producers look for cleaner processes, improved flavour stability, and alternatives to diatomaceous earth (DE), interest in membrane filtration is growing quickly. Mecgem’s CFP-B crossflow system, already proven across European breweries, offers a modern, automated solution purpose-built for beer.

Although crossflow filtration is widely adopted in Europe and the UK, it is still relatively new in the local brewing landscape, even as alternative filtration methods like the use of clarifiers have seen some success. Many breweries have not yet had the opportunity to see membrane systems in operation or understand how they perform on real beers. Flowtherm and Mecgem aim to bridge this gap by providing demonstrations, technical support, and practical guidance so brewers can confidently assess how the technology fits into their own production processes.

Why Breweries Are Moving Toward Crossflow Filtration

Breweries worldwide are reconsidering their filtration strategies, and crossflow technology is emerging as a strong alternative to traditional DE systems.

A 2024 Brauwelt whitepaper notes that DE-based filtration is declining due to several challenges:

• Complex and labour-intensive operation
• High waste generation and disposal requirements
• Environmental impacts associated with mining and handling filter aids
• Increasing focus on worker safety and silica exposure

Crossflow filtration removes the need for DE entirely. It reduces water and chemical usage, simplifies waste handling, and improves operator safety — all while delivering consistent, high-clarity beer.

Quality is another major driver. Modern membrane systems consistently produce bright, microbiologically stable beer without compromising flavour, aroma, or foam stability. Mecgem’s CFP-B system reflects this performance: the process preserves the beer’s organoleptic profile while maintaining stable solids control and gentle treatment throughout the filtration cycle.

Traditional kieselguhr filtration inherently retains significant beer volume within the filter bed and slurry. Pilot results from Wye Valley Brewery in the UK highlight the contrast: across 15,600 litres of beer, only 35 litres were lost — a 0.22% loss rate, substantially lower than the levels typically associated with DE systems.

Automation reinforces these advantages. The CFP-B system is fully PLC-controlled, managing the complete filtration and cleaning cycle automatically. It pauses the process when feed runs low or receiving tanks are full, and its CIP sequence requires no external cleaning vessels. The hydrophilic membranes can dry between cycles without reactivation, reducing downtime and operator involvement.

Together, these benefits — sustainability, reduced consumables, improved beer quality, and streamlined operation — explain why crossflow filtration continues to gain momentum across Europe, North America, and Asia. For breweries in Australia and New Zealand, crossflow offers a practical route to adopting internationally recognised best practice.

Technical Advantages of the Mecgem CFP-B System

The Mecgem CFP-B crossflow filter is engineered specifically for beer production, offering a closed, automated process that protects product quality while maximising yield.

Key features include:

• Full preservation of aroma, flavour, and foam stability
• Effective removal of microorganisms, supporting microbiological stability without pasteurisation
• One-step filtration, suitable for breweries with or without a centrifuge
• Automatic start–stop control, ensuring safe shutdown when feed is exhausted or filtrate tanks are full
• Low water and chemical consumption
• Improved downstream cartridge life, due to stable and predictable turbidity

Cleaning routines are designed for brewery practicality. The system performs warm-water rinses or full CIP with standard brewery detergents. No external cleaning tank is required, as CIP solutions recirculate within the module. Hydrophilic membranes do not require reactivation if dry between uses.

Performance Range

• Flow rates of 300–1000 L/hr per module, depending on beer style
• High-clarity industrial beers typically reach the upper end of the range
• Craft and more turbid beers can be processed effectively, with stable separation even at higher solids loads

Case Study: Wye Valley Brewery

A pilot-scale trial at Wye Valley Brewery, conducted in partnership with Dynamic Water Solutions, provides clear evidence of the CFP-B system’s performance.

Demonstration of beer filtration during the CFP-B pilot at Wye Valley Brewery in the UK, September 2025.

Beer styles filtered

• 2 × blonde
• 1 × stout
• 2 × amber

Results

• Total volume processed: 15,600 L
• Beer loss: 35 L
• Loss ratio: 0.22%
• Membrane porosity: 0.5 µm
• Average flow rate: 1,300 L/hr
• Operating temperature: As low as –1°C

All beers met their clarity, flavour, aroma, and foam specifications, demonstrating that crossflow filtration can deliver high throughput and consistent quality across diverse styles.

Conclusion

Flowtherm and Mecgem are committed to helping brewers understand and evaluate crossflow filtration through:

• Technical demonstrations of crossflow operation and cleaning
• Brewery visits and discussions on integration, sizing, and cellar workflow
• Support from experienced specialists who can tailor solutions to specific production needs
• Knowledge sharing based on real brewery results from Europe and the UK

This approach gives brewers a clear, low-risk way to explore membrane filtration and determine how it can support their beer quality, efficiency, and sustainability goals.

Crossflow filtration is becoming a leading choice for breweries seeking cleaner, safer, and more consistent alternatives to traditional DE systems. Mecgem’s CFP-B technology offers proven beer quality, low losses, and dependable automated operation — making it a compelling solution for both craft and industrial producers.

Flowtherm is ready to support breweries across Australia and New Zealand with demonstrations, expert guidance, and real-world performance insights, helping brewers take the next step in modern beer clarification. Crossflow Filtration in Brewing: How Mecgem’s CFP-B Technology Is Delivering Cleaner, More Efficient Beer Production