With increasing global awareness of the health hazards associated with air pollution, demand for advanced air filtration media is on the rise. The need to control emissions and improve indoor air quality is driving innovation and investment across industries, prompting companies to develop cutting-edge solutions for air purification

According to the UN Environment Programme, environmental contamination is a leading health threat, contributing to approximately 9 million deaths each year, of which nearly 7 million are attributed to air pollution. This alarming statistic has led consumers and businesses alike to prioritise air quality, thereby boosting demand for high-efficiency filtration technologies, such as HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) and activated carbon filters.

Air filters play a crucial role not only in residential and commercial buildings but also across industries, where they help remove harmful particulates and gaseous pollutants, safeguarding both people and processes. With a growing consumer focus on respiratory health, the market for air filtration systems has expanded rapidly.

A recent report by Extrapolate indicates that the global air filter market was valued at USD 14.61 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 25.41 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.16% from 2023 to 2030. The factors fueling this growth include environmental regulations, energy-efficient HVAC systems, rising urbanization and industrialization and increased demand for cleanroom and healthcare-grade air quality. These dynamics are creating an ecosystem where innovation in air filtration media is no longer optional—it’s essential.

From hospitals and data centers to homes and factories, air filters are now considered essential infrastructure. They play a pivotal role in removing airborne pollutants, ensuring operational efficiency, and the well-being of occupants. Several companies have emerged as key players in this space, offering specialised filters for HVAC systems and cleanroom applications. Below are insights into randomly selected leading manufacturers shaping the future of clean air technology.

AAF: VariCel VXL—Long-life box filter for HVAC Applications

The VariCel® VXL is a high-performance, durable box filter designed to meet the demands of Indian HVAC systems operating in varied and often challenging environmental conditions. Engineered with rigid V-bank construction and dual-density fiberglass media, it delivers consistent filtration performance while offering excellent value over its operational life.

Compared to traditional metal separator-style filters, the VariCel VXL provides up to 60 per cent more media area, resulting in lower resistance to airflow and improved overall system efficiency. This increased surface area enhances the dust-holding capacity, helping extend filter life, reduce the frequency of replacements, and ultimately lower maintenance and operating costs. The filter’s lightweight design ensures ease of handling and simplifies installation, making it ideal for large-scale or retrofit projects where quick change-outs are required. Available in a range of efficiency options—MERV 11, MERV 13, MERV 14, and MERV 15—the VariCel VXL helps address various filtration needs in commercial, industrial, and institutional HVAC systems. With single- and double-header models, it offers flexibility to suit multiple system configurations. Additionally, MERV 13 and higher models support green building compliance, meeting the efficiency criteria for LEED-certified projects.

Tested for reliability in Indian operating environments, the VariCel VXL can also be offered in the UL 900 Classified option and operates at temperatures up to 158°F (70°C), making it a dependable and cost-effective solution for long-term air filtration performance.

Camfil Opakfil ES: Energy-Efficient Filtration for the Next-Gen HVAC Landscape

As the HVAC industry continues its shift toward energy efficiency and sustainability, the role of air filtration becomes increasingly crucial. Camfil’s Opakfil ES compact filter is designed to meet these evolving demands by delivering exceptional air quality with significantly reduced energy consumption and maintenance costs. Built for modern HVAC systems, the Opakfil ES combines innovative design with high-performance filtration media to support ventilation and air conditioning applications in commercial buildings, industrial facilities, healthcare, and cleanroom environments. It serves as an ideal solution for both new installations and retrofits where energy efficiency, durability, and performance are non-negotiable.

The Opakfil ES is designed for low energy consumption, thanks to its aerodynamic radial design and premium glass fiber media. It ensures low-pressure drop, reducing fan energy use and operating costs, and holds top Eurovent energy ratings (A+, A, B), depending on the model. Its high dust-holding capacity provides an extended service life, resulting in fewer replacements, lower labor costs, and a reduced environmental impact. With a durable and lightweight construction featuring an ABS plastic frame, hot-melt separators, and polyurethane sealant, the Opakfil ES is easy to install and built for long-term stability. It offers a flexible fit, is compatible with standard front- and side-access housings, and integrates seamlessly into various HVAC configurations. Performance-wise, it offers efficiency grades of ISO ePM1 60–80%, ePM2.5, and ePM10 (ISO 16890), with energy consumption as low as 770 kWh/year for A+ rated models. It operates under conditions of up to 70°C and 100% relative humidity. Typical applications include commercial buildings and shopping malls, hospitals and healthcare facilities, pharmaceutical and electronics manufacturing, as well as data centers and cleanroom pre-filtration systems.

Relevance to the HVAC Industry: In buildings where HVAC systems account for over 70% of energy use, improving filter efficiency without compromising airflow is critical. Opakfil ES directly contributes to lower energy bills and improved indoor air quality, aligning with green building certifications like LEED and WELL. Its extended life cycle also reduces the carbon footprint associated with frequent replacements and disposal. To support local demand and the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Camfil will soon begin manufacturing Opakfil ES at its new state-of-the-art facility in Manesar, Haryana.

https://www.camfil.com

DRI: Treated Fresh Air Handling Units (TFA)

Treated Fresh Air Handling Units (TFA) from DRI are a solution for achieving good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) within a large enclosed facility. It drives thorough ventilation of the space, exercising energy saving in the process. The TFA units are well-equipped with an EcoFresh Molecular Sieve Coated Heat Wheel, which achieves the dual purpose of maintaining good IAQ and energy savings in a single unit. It comes with the option of adding modules to facilitate cooling, heating, humidification, high-efficiency filtration, mixing, sound attenuation, and more. The system is easy to maintain, allowing for free and reliable operation due to its very low-pressure drops. Along similar lines, the filter & fan assembly is also very easy to maintain. The salient features include integration of standard filters—G4/MERV 7 / ePM Coarse, unique design of the connection system, and the widest range make TFA a preferred choice for hospitals, hotels, malls, offices, airports, educational institutes, pharma facilities, cold storages, and, in fact, all the air-conditioned areas. The system is designed to accommodate several functions in the same casing. It offers the widest range of up to 14000 CFM, which enhances the performance and reduces life cycle cost (LCC). TFA deploys the best technology for casing manufacturing, producing 0.8 mm sheets both inside and outside that impart sturdiness to the design and minimise leakage during the process.

The advanced machine exhibits impressive low-pressure drops, where all functions, such as coils and heat exchangers, are optimised to achieve the lowest possible pressure drop in proportion to the highest possible efficiency, resulting in very low LCC. It houses high-quality standardised filters in the form of deep-folded bag filters with filter areas and good sealing. The tightness drives clean air supply to the room. In the process, the tool is freely accessible for easy cleaning. The treated fresh air handling units conform to the highest European standard for casing air leakage. The casing air leakage is of prime importance in two-tier systems.

Elaborating on the benefits of TFA systems, they are at the forefront of providing fresh air solutions for conditioned spaces that maintain IAQ while also conserving energy. Therefore, it helps meet ventilation standards without increasing energy costs. It goes a long way in pre-conditioning incoming fresh air to improve the IAQ all year long, while allowing for a reduction in system capacity of 30 to 65 per cent. The systems are proficient at achieving optimal humidity conditions without projecting any additional cost.