Metso has officially opened its cutting-edge Dewatering Development Hub in Irapuato, strategically located in the central region of Mexico. The new facility represents a significant enhancement to Metso's competitive positioning and customer service capabilities. It is designed to meet customers’ diverse dewatering solution needs, offering reduced response times, environmental advantages and ensuring delivery reliability. The inauguration was celebrated with customers, stakeholders and employees on April 10, 2025.
Credit: Metso
Metso’s new hub manufactures polymer filter plates for both sub-assemblies and new equipment from Metso and other suppliers, while also enhancing product development capabilities. Its primary focus is on the Americas market, where Metso has a strong presence in filtration, but it also serves global markets, such as Asia-Pacific and Africa.
“Our new hub in Mexico marks a major milestone in enhancing our customer service capabilities. It strengthens our commitment to innovation and excellence and to providing tailored solutions that drive success and sustainability in our customers' operations. With the capacity to support the entire filter portfolio for mining and other process industries, the hub leverages Metso's unmatched expertise in dewatering technology,” says Giuseppe Campanelli, President, North and Central America, Metso.
Commitment to efficiency and development for customer benefit
"Polymer filter plates are strategic and critical parts. Our investment underscores our commitment to being a pioneering and innovative supplier for our customers. We are thrilled to achieve this milestone, which strengthens our offerings and operational efficiency. We will optimize capacity management and production planning for the entire filter plate manufacturing ecosystem, with the goal of leading the way in efficiency and innovation," says Tomas Hakala, Senior Vice President, Beneficiation, Dewatering and Hydrometallurgy Services at Metso.
Product development will focus on enhancing product features and exploring the use of alternative and recycled materials, utilizing circularity alongside virgin raw materials. By being close to production, the development experts can flexibly leverage pilot production capabilities.
The facility, backed by an investment totaling approximately EUR 45 million, is located on an 18,000+ m2 lot and it has a production and warehouse area of over 8,500 m2. The investment was originally announced in 2022 and the construction at the site commenced in September 2023.
In Irapuato, Metso has also rubber and Poly-Met™ and screening media factories, bringing synergies and operative efficiency. Additionally, Metso is expanding its distribution capacity by opening a new distribution center in the same area.
Modern facility offers safe and sustainable working environment
Ensuring employee safety is of utmost importance to Metso, and the operational model and layout of the new center support the implementation of high-level safety standards.
Environmental considerations have been strongly integrated into the planning of the facility operations and energy use. Solar power capacity has been installed to the extent permitted by law, supporting Metso's goal of achieving net-zero CO2 emissions for its operations by 2030.
“It is a privilege to contribute to the community by creating local employment opportunities for dewatering technology experts and production employees. Our product development team is dedicated to meeting customer needs globally and enhancing our competencies. The new hub is opening with around 75 employees. We are proud to be recognized as a Great Place to Work® company in Mexico, and our goal is to continuously develop the skills of our employees,” says Armando Luna, General Manager, Filter Plate Factory in Irapuato.
Comprehensive expertise in filtration
The new hub in Mexico is a significant enhancement to Metso’s existing filter operations footprint. Metso operates filtration technology centers in Finland and China, a dewatering technology center and a ceramics filter plate factory in Finland.
Metso’s filtration portfolio consists of 15 different filter types and comprehensive services for various applications. Over 80% of the Metso filters are part of the company’s Metso Plus portfolio, primarily due to their efficiency in the recovery and reuse of water. The company has carried out more than 14,000 filtration tests and delivered over 5,000 filters for various applications worldwide. Many of the filters are sold under the Larox® product name along with Metso corporate branding. Read more about filtration on our website.