List of OEM/ODM Suppliers of Water Purifier Filter Cartridges (RO, UF, PP, GAC, CTO) from Alibaba and Other Countries Around the World

1. A Must-Read Before Selecting a Supplier List

When choosing water filter cartridges, understanding the functions and benefits of different cartridge types is crucial. Various filters such as RO (Reverse Osmosis membrane), UF (Ultrafiltration membrane), PP (Polypropylene), GAC (Granular Activated Carbon), and CTO (Carbon Block) each have their unique characteristics and contribute differently to ensuring water purity and safety. In this context, finding a reliable OEM/ODM supplier becomes a key step. OEM/ODM suppliers can provide specialized design and manufacturing services, helping businesses meet market demands while ensuring product quality. In this article, we will introduce the main types of filter cartridges and provide a detailed list of OEM/ODM suppliers to help you choose the most suitable partner to ensure your product’s competitiveness and market position.

2. Main Types of Filter Cartridges

(1) RO (Reverse Osmosis Membrane)
The reverse osmosis membrane filter uses reverse osmosis technology to effectively remove dissolved solids, bacteria, viruses, and other small contaminants from water. By applying high pressure, water is pushed through a semi-permeable membrane, filtering out more than 99% of contaminants. Reverse osmosis filters are suitable for household drinking water treatment and commercial use, making them ideal for homes or offices that require highly purified water.

(2) UF Filter (Ultrafiltration Membrane Filter)
The UF filter uses ultrafiltration membrane technology to filter suspended particles, bacteria, and certain viruses in water through membranes with smaller pore sizes. Compared to reverse osmosis filters, UF filters have slightly lower filtration precision but do not require high pressure, allowing them to retain minerals in the water.

(3) PP Filter (Polypropylene Filter)
The PP filter is primarily made of polypropylene fibers and is used to remove suspended particles, silt, and sediment from water. It is commonly used as a pre-filter to protect other filters from being clogged by larger particles. The PP filter has excellent structural stability and is suitable for preliminary filtration in various water conditions.

(4) GAC Filter (Granular Activated Carbon Filter)
The GAC filter uses granular activated carbon, which removes chlorine, odors, particulate matter, and organic compounds from water through its large surface area for adsorption. This filter effectively improves the taste and smell of water, making it suitable for household drinking water. The porous structure of granular activated carbon provides excellent adsorption capabilities, but its effectiveness in filtering dissolved solids and pathogens is limited. Therefore, it is often used in combination with other filters to achieve more comprehensive water treatment.。

(5) CTO Filter (Block Activated Carbon Filter)
The CTO filter, made of block activated carbon, is designed to remove chlorine, odors, and large particulate contaminants from water. Block activated carbon has a larger surface area, which enables it to effectively absorb organic compounds and chemicals in the water, while the pre-filter layer captures particles. This type of filter not only improves the taste of the water but also extends the lifespan of other filters, making it a common component in multi-stage filtration systems.

Selecting the right water filter cartridge and its OEM/ODM supplier is key to ensuring product competitiveness and meeting market demands. Understanding the functions and advantages of different types of filter cartridges can help businesses more accurately position product features and satisfy customer needs. Whether it's reverse osmosis membrane cartridges, ultrafiltration membrane cartridges, polypropylene cartridges, granular activated carbon cartridges, or block carbon cartridges, each type of cartridge plays a unique role in various applications.

3. The Importance of Filter Cartridges

The filter cartridge is the core of all water filtration devices, playing a pivotal role. Why is this the case?

(1) Filter media inside the filter cartridge

The filter media inside the cartridge are selected and combined based on their specific functions. The most commonly used filter media is activated carbon, which is widely available. There are many manufacturers, but the quality varies significantly. Activated carbon can be reactivated from various raw materials, including charcoal, shell carbon, and coal. Charcoal can come from bamboo, wood, etc., while shell carbon can be sourced from coconut shells, palm shells, walnut shells, apricot shells, and others. Coal typically comes from underground anthracite.

The price of activated carbon can range from US$1,500 to US$4,000 per ton, a significant price difference. The chlorine removal rate can vary several times over, and whether the activated carbon contains heavy metals is a critical factor in its quality.

(2) The Pressure Resistance of Filter Cartridges

Let’s set aside the other filtration materials of the filter cartridge and discuss the importance of its structure and design. Currently, the most commonly used filter cartridge on the market is the refrigerator inline filter. Due to high demand and competitive pricing, these filters are priced around one dollar each. Achieving a high removal rate (of residual chlorine), a long lifespan, the ability to withstand 150 PSI of high water pressure, and enduring 100,000 cycles of water hammer impact is incredibly challenging. Some brands with high-quality standards even require that the filter cartridge obtain NSF certification. However, applying for NSF certification involves not only undergoing rigorous testing but also incurring costs of at least $60,000 over five years (including testing fees, annual fees, etc.).

(3) Standardization of Filter Quality

An increasing number of filter manufacturers are using fully automatic, semi-automatic, or labor-saving machines to produce filter cartridges, aiming to reduce manufacturing costs and minimize labor usage. Of course, automated production has the additional benefit of ensuring consistent quality. However, the cost of automated machinery can range from hundreds of thousands to even millions of New Taiwan Dollars, which may not be a feasible investment for every filter manufacturer.

Therefore, selecting an OEM/ODM supplier for water filter cartridges becomes extremely important.

4. Key Considerations When Choosing an OEM/ODM Water Filter Cartridge Supplier

In the era of the internet, finding OEM/ODM filter manufacturers is not difficult. However, finding a factory that offers reasonable prices, excellent quality, and integrity can only be achieved by relying on the following six key points. Choosing the right ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) supplier is crucial for the success of a business. Whether the need is for high-quality water filter elements or for a partner that can provide comprehensive support and flexible services, understanding the critical factors in selecting ODM suppliers can help businesses make informed decisions.

1. Product Quality

   1. Ensure that the products meet industry standards and customer requirements.
   2. Conduct on-site factory inspections to see the true capabilities firsthand.
   3. Ask the factory to provide real-time video recordings of the production line via mobile to assess their strength.
   4. Request appropriate product samples from the factory to perform tests verifying the filter's performance, lifespan, and filtration effectiveness.

2. Cost and Pricing

   1. Understand the supplier's pricing structure and minimum order quantity requirements.
   2. Evaluate whether the quotes are competitive and consider any discounts or favorable terms.
   3. Ask the factory to break down the costs of the filter elements.

3. Customer Service and Support

   1. Ensure that the supplier provides timely technical support and problem-solving services.
   2. Ask the factory for their current after-sales service methods or request a reference from one of their buyers to inquire about their after-sales service quality, ensuring smooth long-term cooperation.

4. Delivery Time and Flexibility

   1. Request whether the factory can sign a procurement contract with corresponding penalties to confirm that they can deliver on time as agreed.
   2. Evaluate the flexibility in handling order changes to ensure they can meet market demands.

5. Supplier Experience and Reputation

   1. Choose suppliers with rich experience to obtain more reliable products and services.
   2. Investigate the supplier's market reputation to understand their standing and credibility in the industry.
   3. Check the official court website in the factory's country to search for any litigation records against the company.

6. Others

   1. Provide an Audit List for the factory to evaluate and fill out, which can then be verified during the actual factory inspection.
   2. Hire a third-party certification company located in the factory's area to conduct audits.
   3. Consult the official export trade association governing the factory to inquire whether there have been any trade disputes involving the factory.

5. List of OEM/ODM Water Filter Cartridge Suppliers

The following is a curated list of suppliers on Alibaba for your reference.

If there are other vendors that are not listed on Alibaba, please refer to this article:

2022 Taiwan Water Purifier 【Filters】OEM/ODM Manufacturers - Water Purifier Supply Chain Top 100 Manufacturers Series1

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