At the Colmar Wine Fair, a must-attend event on the summer wine calendar, innovation was not only in the glasses. The company Costral, well known for its high-performance bottling lines, unveiled for the first time its new modular filtration range. An innovative solution designed to support wineries in their development, offering a progressive, technical and tailor-made response to their filtration needs. The system was presented by Julien Demangeat, Project Manager at Costral, and developed in partnership with Pemflow Technofiltre, represented by Arnaud Bonnetain, specialist in filter media and organoleptic performance. Together, they outline a new vision of filtration: adaptive, qualitative and at the service of wine.
An evolving range designed to meet real needs
What truly sets this filtration range apart is, above all, its modularity. Unlike conventional equipment, often locked into a fixed configuration from the moment of purchase, the Costral solution allows winemakers to start with a base module and gradually expand their system as their operation grows, constraints evolve or commercial ambitions increase. A producer can therefore invest cautiously at the outset, then add a second or even a third module, depending on whether they wish to achieve finer filtration, increase hourly flow rates or integrate water treatment. The modules are designed to operate independently or together, in series or in parallel, ensuring unprecedented operational flexibility in the sector. This flexibility is made possible by intelligent standardisation: all components (pipework, connections, frames) are compatible with each other, compact, robust, and available either on fixed frames or on castors for improved cellar ergonomics.
Filtration designed as an oenological tool
But beyond this technical architecture lies a wine-centred philosophy shared by both companies. “Too often, filtration is seen as a hygienic obligation, whereas it is a powerful organoleptic lever,” explains Arnaud Bonnetain. Thanks to a wide range of filter media with different porosities, and to trials carried out directly in wineries, Pemflow Technofiltre enables winemakers to choose the solution that best respects their wine style. During demonstrations, the results were striking: depending on the media and cut-off selected, the same wine exhibited distinctly different aromatic profiles. “Some winemakers quite literally rediscover their cuvée in a new light. It gives them control, right up to bottling, over the final signature of their wine,” he continues. This educational and participatory approach is particularly appealing, as it enhances the producer’s know-how while delivering rigorous technical expertise.
Water quality in the service of wine quality
Another major asset of this range is the integration of a water treatment module, which has become crucial for many wineries. Indeed, variations in water quality in certain regions can lead to organoleptic deviations in wines, notably due to excessive chlorine or turbidity. The dechlorination module offered by Costral ensures clean, stable water adapted to cellar uses, whether for cleaning operations or for wine preparation prior to filtration. Even more, it helps extend the service life of filter cartridges and allows their maintenance to be carried out using purified water, thus avoiding cross-contamination or aromatic alterations. This attention to detail demonstrates just how comprehensive, coherent and pragmatic the solution developed by Costral truly is.
A flexible and controlled investment strategy
From an economic standpoint, the argument is just as compelling. The range is marketed by module, each with a clearly defined price, ranging from €3,000 to €7,000. A complete setup capable of filtering 45 hectolitres per hour therefore comes in at under €20,000, while a 20 hl/h version remains below €15,000. This à la carte model allows wineries to keep their investments under control without sacrificing quality or performance. And because all components are standardised, maintenance costs are reduced, as are the risks associated with rising raw material prices. This cost control, combined with strong on-site support, gives the Costral–Pemflow solution a distinctly sustainable and accessible dimension. In Alsace, Jérôme Farinha, Costral’s sales representative, will ensure this close support. He will assist producers in assessing their needs, conducting cellar trials and implementing the most suitable modules.
Restoring wine to its rightful place in the value chain
More than just a piece of equipment, this new filtration range is a strategic tool for winemakers. It aligns technical requirements with oenological choices, protects wines while respecting their identity, and allows producers to move forward at their own pace, without being tied to an imposed or oversized system. This vision, based on listening, co-construction and freedom of choice, is one that Costral and Pemflow Technofiltre jointly defend. A vision in which filtration once again becomes what it should always be: a faithful extension of cellar work, rather than a sacrificial step.
Sources and photo credits Vineonews Alsace
Contact a filtration expert
We are at your service
Our experts place their knowledge and expertise at your disposal for liquid filtration, air and gas filtration, decontamination, and separation technologies.
