High efficiency synthetic filter media

A nonwoven filter media comprising a primary layer, wherein said primary layer comprises:

• (a) a synthetic microfiber having a maximum transverse dimension (width) of less than 10 microns and present in an amount of at least 5 weight percent and not more than 80 weight percent;
• (b) a fibrillated cellulosic fiber present in an amount of at least 0.5 weight percent and not more than 50 weight percent
• (c) a staple fiber, other than said microfiber, present in an amount of 5 weight percent to 70 weight percent, said staple fiber comprising at least one bent non-circular fiber having an average effective length that is not more than 75 percent of the actual length, said staple fiber comprising a polyester, nylon, polypropylene, cellulose acetate, polyethylene, phenolic resin, polyacrylonitrile, polylactic acid, polyimide, polyamide, or combinations thereof;
• and;
• (d) a binder;
• wherein said primary layer exhibits a BETA ratio equal to or greater than 200 at 1.5 microns;
• wherein said primary layer comprises less than 1.5 weight percent of a glass fiber and/or a microglass fiber;
• and
• wherein all said weight percentages are based on the weight of the filter media other than the weight of the binder.