KATADYN has released its next-gen Explorer Water Filter and Purifier Series, designed and manufactured at its headquarters in Switzerland where engineering, manufacturing, assembly and testing take place.
Built for expedition travel, backcountry use, and professional field operations, the Explorer series combines ceramic filtration, activated carbon and virus removal in a modular, portable system.
“Explorer builds on decades of Katadyn filtration technology by bringing together the strongest features from several of our existing systems into one modular platform,” said Thomas Sambeth, lead product engineer for the Explorer at Katadyn.
“The goal was to create a system that can adapt to different environments while remaining reliable and easy to maintain in the field.” The Explorer series includes two configurations built on the same modular platform.
The Explorer Microfilter combines a field-cleanable ceramic filter with activated carbon to remove bacteria, protozoa and particulates while improving taste and reducing chlorine and odours.
The Explorer Pro adds a hollow fibre membrane designed for virus removal, creating a complete three-stage purification system for environments where viruses may be present.
Because the system is modular, the same platform can be configured for different conditions. The virus removal stage is integrated into the Explorer Pro purifier or can be added later to the Explorer Microfilter using the Explorer Pro Upgrade Kit, allowing the system to function as either a microfilter or a full purifier depending on mission requirements.
Ceramic filtration elements are manufactured in-house and fired at high temperatures to create a microfiltration barrier that can be cleaned repeatedly in the field. System components are moulded, assembled and tested in Switzerland to ensure precise tolerances and consistent long-term performance.
The ceramic filter treats up to 20,000 litres, the virus membrane used in the Explorer Pro treats up to 10,000 litres, and the activated carbon cartridge treats 500 litres while improving taste and reducing chlorine and odours. Filters can be stored dry between uses, reducing maintenance requirements during storage or transport.