Industries benefit from advanced filtration solutions

According to Shailesh Nigam, CEO at AFF International, the HVAC and filtration industry is evolving, with ACREX serving as a platform for networking and business growth. He explores market potential, technological advancements, and the role of filtration in ensuring superior indoor air quality.

What makes ACREX a grand networking platform?

ACREX is referred to as the Mahakumb of the air conditioning industry. Just as India hosted a Mahakumbh, this event is a Major congregation for vendors, users, consultants, and industry experts in the HVAC sector. It provides an excellent networking platform, creating significant business opportunities. Our expectation from ACREX is to engage with industry stakeholders, explore new collaborations, and unlock valuable business prospects.

What is the growth potential of the filtration market in India?

The filtration industry in India has immense potential. Wherever air exists in an enclosed space -homes, offices, factories, schools, libraries, or auditoriums -filters are essential for indoor air quality. The vast market presents substantial growth opportunities due to the need for filtration solutions.

Please talk about new technologies and solutions being showcased.

American Air Filters (AAF), a company with over a century of expertise and part of the $30 billion Daikin Group, leads in filter manufacturing and technology. At our stall, we displayed complete air filtration solutions instead of showcasing individual filters. This approach highlights the fact that the filtration market in India is largely unregulated. About 70 percent of the industry is controlled by the unorganised sector, with no standardised specifications or quality benchmarks. Our focus is on air purification solutions tailored for various industries.

Could you discuss industry-specific filtration solutions?

We provide comprehensive filtration solutions across multiple industries, including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, hospitality, oil and gas, power and industrial sectors, food and beverages, and paper and pulp. Regardless of the industry or application, we can meet any air filtration requirement with precision-engineered solutions.

What are the latest innovations in clean air technology?

One of the innovations is an advanced High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. Traditionally, HEPA filters use delicate fibreglass media, which is prone to damage. We have developed an innovative solution using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (EPTFE) membrane media. This material offers lower pressure drop, reducing energy consumption while significantly improving durability—its tensile strength is 85 times greater than traditional fibreglass. It has a higher dust-holding capacity, enhancing longevity and efficiency.

Our commitment to innovation was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when we developed a filter with “trap and kill” technology to contain and neutralise viruses within weeks. We continuously introduce new products to stay ahead of the market and maintain a competitive edge.

Why is improving air quality in homes and workplaces important?

One of the most crucial aspects of air quality improvement is raising awareness about the air we breathe. People check food and beverage brands, ingredients, and expiry dates. They rarely consider the air quality they inhale—despite breathing approximately 2,200 gallons of air daily, enough to fill a swimming pool. Indoor air quality is often worse than outdoor air, making effective filtration solutions essential.

How can indoor air quality be improved through filtration?

Filters are often unseen and embedded within air conditioning systems and ducts, making their role in air purification less noticeable. However, indoor air quality is worse than expected, even when it appears clean. To improve air quality, selecting the right type of filters, maintaining them, and replacing them when necessary is crucial. Many people in India wash and reuse filters to cut costs, not realising that this compromises air quality and impacts health.

We generally don’t change the filters, and that impacts our health. I always tell people that the purpose of the filter is not just to protect the dust but also to protect your lungs and your health.