The science of water, made in Brazil for over 30 years.
The company
A 100% Brazilian manufacturer. Three decades making the filter inside your filter.
Bringing health to people through quality water. That is the purpose behind every product we make.
From the technical component to the home purifier. We manufacture across the whole chain.
Hidrofiltros is a 100% Brazilian manufacturer with more than 30 years dedicated to producing filters, purifiers and filter elements. We started out serving the industrial sector, developing custom projects and technical components for manufacturers of purifiers and filtration equipment.
Over time we widened our reach. Today we serve everyone from the specialist shop around the corner to large industries, home centers, refrigeration companies and the end consumer who simply wants to change the filter in the purifier at home.
We run the largest manufacturing plant in Latin America's filter element industry: 7,000 m² in Joinville, SC, with the capacity to meet residential, commercial and industrial demand on a national and international scale.
30 years. 200 people. A factory that never stops.
One portfolio, six markets, one requirement: water quality.
Filter dealers and specialist shops in water filtration, who find breadth, technical support and long-term partnership in our portfolio.
Refrigeration companies including wholesalers, physical stores and e-commerce, for whom water filtration is a highly profitable add-on category.
Home centers and building-supply chains where our products serve the do-it-yourself customer.
Industry with applications in oil and gas, automotive, mining and healthcare, among other segments.
Equipment manufacturers who build our technical components into their own products. That is where one of our biggest differentiators comes from: we are the manufacturer inside the manufacturers.
End consumer through e-commerce and digital channels.
What sets us apart.
Integrity in every relationship. With customers, suppliers, employees, government and the community. We do not compromise on this.
Responsibility for what we deliver. If a problem is ours, we are part of the solution.
Innovation as a practice. We pioneered Melt Blown technology for polypropylene filter elements in Brazil, and we keep investing in portfolio and processes.
Modern, sound management A company that poses no risk to those who buy, resell or distribute our products.
Our history
From a factory in Caxias do Sul to the filters on Petrobras platforms.
More than 30 years do not happen by chance. Every stage of our journey was built on innovation, technical rigour and the conviction that quality can be delivered without giving up integrity.
Seven milestones that explain who we are today.
- 1994
Founded in Caxias do Sul, RS
Hidrofiltros is born in the Salgado Filho district of Caxias do Sul, focused on serving the industrial sector. From the start we developed projects and technical components for other manufacturers. We pioneered Melt Blown technology for polypropylene filter elements in Brazil.
- 2000–2001
Rapid growth
A constant bet on technological innovation puts Hidrofiltros on a fast-growth path. The market begins to recognise what sets our products apart.
- 2010
Retail expansion
Hidrofiltros builds a stronger presence in retail, reaching filter dealers, home centers and distribution channels across Brazil.
- Feb 2011
Acquired by the Pentair group
Hidrofiltros is acquired by the American group Pentair, one of the largest filtration companies in the world. Cláudio Chaves stays at the helm of the operation and is honoured in Phoenix, Arizona, as the manager who integrated a company into the group fastest. He then takes over as vice-president for Latin America.
- Aug 2017
Back to its roots
Cláudio and Vinícius Chaves buy Hidrofiltros back. The company returns to the founding family, focused on strategic repositioning, strengthening the core portfolio and independent management.
- 2019
New headquarters in Joinville, SC
Hidrofiltros moves its headquarters to Joinville, SC, opening a 7,000 m² plant. The move makes it the company with the largest manufacturing plant in Latin America's filter element industry, with easy access to several ports for domestic distribution and export.
- 2020
Recognised as a Great Place to Work
Hidrofiltros enters the ranking of the 150 best mid-sized companies to work for in Brazil, awarded by GPTW (Great Place to Work).
- Today
More than 30 years of history, around 200 employees, over 50 products certified by INMETRO and a presence in about 8 countries. We remain committed to the same purpose that founded us: bringing health to people through quality water.
Factory & technology
7,000 m² where the same technology serves homes, hospitals and oil platforms.
It all starts here. In 7,000 m² in Joinville, SC, we produce the filter elements that reach homes, hospitals, oil platforms and mines in Chile. The same technical rigour serves them all.
The largest filter element plant in Latin America.
In 2019 Hidrofiltros opened its new headquarters in Joinville, SC, becoming the company with the largest manufacturing plant in Latin America's filter element industry. The strategic location provides quick access to several ports in the region, expanding our capacity to serve the domestic market and exports.
We have around 200 employees and about 20 engineers, including specialists in chemical and production engineering, responsible both for the quality of the production process and for developing custom technical solutions.
The technology we brought to Brazil first.
Hidrofiltros pioneered the manufacture of filter elements by the Melt Blown process in Brazil — a technology that turns polypropylene filaments into a porous cylinder with high filtration capacity. The polypropylene filaments used are not harmful to health, and the process generates no chemical waste harmful to the environment.
A portfolio spanning from activated carbon to the industrial pre-filter.
From a home in São Paulo to a mining company in Chile.
Oil and gas
Pre-filters protecting reverse osmosis membranes in water injection at Petrobras wells. Supplied for 25 years.
Mining
Water filtration for operations in Antofagasta, Chile, with monthly shipments of thousands of units.
Healthcare
Pre-filters protecting membranes in haemodialysis machines.
Automotive
We supply the internal component of the S10 filter, a role previously played by an imported part.
Purifier manufacturers
Esmaltec, Fortelev, Eversoft and Everest, among others, assemble their equipment with components made by Hidrofiltros.
What it means to be the manufacturer of the manufacturers.
When a purifier from a major brand takes a filter element, in many cases that component was made here. Hidrofiltros was born developing technical parts for equipment manufacturers themselves, and that know-how is what underpins the quality of our compatible products. Compatible, in our case, is not a synonym for generic. It is the result of years making the original part.
Certifications & quality
More than 50 products certified by INMETRO. And our own quality system behind every one of them.
Certification is the proof that what we promise is documented, tested and validated by independent bodies. We have more than 50 products certified by INMETRO and a set of seals covering process quality, design, sustainability and customer service.
Our Quality Management System has a name: SGQHF.
As a manufacturer of filters, purifiers and filter elements, Hidrofiltros maintains its own Quality Management System (SGQHF), which is committed to:
ISO 9001
Drives process quality through requirements such as activity planning, goal setting, implementation of action plans and management of relationships with customers, suppliers and employees.
INMETRO — ABNT NBR 16098 / Ordinance 888
Builds confidence in products and measurements through metrology and conformity assessment. Assessed products undergo rigorous documentation and testing. We have more than 50 certified products.
ABRAFIPA Quality Seal
Ensures our filters and purifiers keep the same quality and efficiency over time. Approved products are listed at abrafipa.com.br/dispositivos-avaliados.
Brasil Design Award
Awarded to the Facile Hidrofiltros Purifier in the Design — Health and Wellbeing category, Popular Vote.
Renewable Energy Certificate
Certifies the amount of CO₂ avoided by consuming renewable energy. By 2020, 1,428.88 tCO₂ had been avoided — the equivalent of replanting 10,001 trees.
Green Seal
Issued by Jornal do Meio Ambiente (São Paulo), it attests to sustainable quality and good practices in favour of the environment.
Great Place to Work
In 2020, recognised among the 150 best mid-sized companies to work for in Brazil, a certification awarded by GPTW.
Reclame Aqui
A strong reputation, with high satisfaction scores and a clear sign that consumers would do business with us again. The result of attentive, human service and product quality.
Sustainability
1,428 tonnes of CO₂ avoided. 10,001 trees. And counting.
Filtering water is, by nature, a business that takes care of people. But care goes beyond the product. It starts inside our own operation.
Investing in clean energy since 2013.
Since 2013, when we were still in Caxias do Sul, Hidrofiltros has invested in energy from renewable sources. By 2020 the accumulated saving was equivalent to 1,428.88 tCO₂ avoided — the equivalent of replanting 10,001 trees. Methodology: GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. Calculation: WRI (World Resources Institute), via COMERC-SINERCONSULT.
A factory that does not pollute the water it filters.
Manufacturing Melt Blown filter elements generates no chemical waste harmful to water. All surplus plastic produced is sent to specialist recycling companies.
Safe water is public health.
Hidrofiltros exists to bring health to people through products that genuinely meet their needs. Ensuring that water arrives safe for those who drink, cook and produce is, in itself, a direct contribution to public health and collective wellbeing.