India’s air purifying market, still at a very nascent stage

By OEM Update Editorial July 8, 2019 4:57 pm IST

Ashish Gupta, Sales Head, B2B, SHARP Commercial Air Purifier discusses the need of the air purifier for domestic as well commercial space, so that everyone inhales fresh air without contamination of highly affected viruses and gases.

What made SHARP to introduce new air purification solutions in India?
SHARP introduced its range of domestic air purifiers in India in the year 2014. With India having some of the most polluted cities in the world and air pollution causing serious health hazards, there was a need for addressing the issue. People became more aware of the dangers and threats created by increasing air pollution, even the government has became more concerned. The need for maintaining good air quality not only inside homes but also inside offices and other commercial spaces and create a healthy, productive and safe atmosphere was felt. SHARP saw an opportunity in this segment and introduced its range of domestic as well as commercial air purifiers to cater to the rising demand.

Kindly elaborate on SHARP’s latest commercial air purification solutions and the technologies incorporated?
SHARP introduced its range of commercial air purifying solutions in India last year. Currently, we have got two models in the product line up and we have plans to increase the line up in the near future. In the current line up, we have got a Wall Mounted Air Purifier Model (FU551KE) and also a Plasmacluster Ion generator or the Ducted IG, a device that is installed inside the supply air duct and sanitises the indoor air, by generating positive and negative ions.

Both models use SHARP’s patented and unique technology called Plasmacluster ion technology. The Plasmacluster ion technology replicates nature. Positive and negative ions are present in nature and act as natural air washers. The same ions are generated by the Plasmacluster ioniser, in a much higher density, inside the room. These ions act as active air purifiers. They deactivate various types of bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus by forming OH radicles and drawing out the hydrogen from the DNA of the pathogen, thereby deactivating the same. It also removes unpleasant odour and other harmful gaseous contaminants like NOX, SOX, ammonia and various types of VOCS.

For the electronics industry and other commercial usages where Static Electricity is a problem, it also neutralises static electricity. The technology of Plasmacluster ion is tested and certified by 31 global labs, for efficacy, against the threats of virus infection, including H1N1, bacteria, mold, virus, and further in various countries across the world.

Our wall mounted model (FU551KE) is also equipped with H14 grade true HEPA filter, along with an active carbon filter and a 10-micron pre-filter. The HEPA filter can remove particulate matter upto 0.3 microns by 99.97 per cent and the active carbon filter helps in removing odour and other harmful gases.

Both the models, wall mounted unit as well as the ducted IG save valuable space as they can be installed on the wall or inside the supply air duct.

How often and when should one consider cleaning air filters?
That would depend on the level of pollution. Normally, for commercial use, we recommend the filters to be cleaned and the Plasmacluster unit serviced every 3 months. However, in case of sensitive areas like hospitals and data centres, we would recommend cleaning the filters every 2 months. As a standard warranty clause, SHARP offers 4 free servicing during a year.

How does air filters function in purifying the air?
Air filtration can be active as well as passive filtration. Air filters act as passive filters. The air inside the room is sucked inside the purifier by a blower and passes through the pre-filter, which removes all particulate matter of 10 microns. Then the air passes through the deodorising or active carbon filter. This absorbs all sorts of harmful gases, volatile organic compounds and removes odour causing substances. After this, the air passes through the HEPA filter which further removes particles as small as 0.3 microns, which may include certain bacteria and viruses and fungus also and is thrown back into the room clean and fresh; process called passive purification.

SHARP purifiers have the additional advantage of offering active purification too. The unique Plasmacluster ioniser releases the positive and negative ions, which go inside every corner of the room and actively deactivates the pathogens present there. It also removes odour and harmful gases, and maintains a level of moisture, which is very good for the skin.

How effective are air purifiers in enhancing the quality of indoor air in commercial spaces, and what are its key advantages?
Air purifiers have got various types of usages in commercial spaces. SHARP offers a concern based solution. For example, a dialysis unit in a hospital may have the problem of a chemical smell and pathogens. Our commercial range of purifiers can take care of both problems. Similarly, a data centre may have the problem of frequent breakdowns due to various types of gaseous contaminants; SHARP’s Plasmacluster technology can address the issue.

Different industries or verticals have varied problems and need to have different solutions. In general, most of the offices have very poor air quality, which indirectly affects the health of the employee as well as their productivity. The green building concept is fast catching up and indoor air quality is an integral part of it. Air purifiers definitely improves the quality of indoor air, makes it fresh and safe for breathing thereby creating a pleasant and healthy atmosphere for the employees, and increase their productivity.

What suggestions would you like to give corporate in terms of adopting air purification solutions?
India is having some of the most polluted cities in the world. To maintain good indoor air quality for the well being of the employee and increase productivity is definitely the need of the hour. The corporate should give priority to air purification as much as air-conditioning. They need to go in for solutions, which have been tested and certified.

How do you view the future of air purification systems in India?
India’s air purifying market is still at a very nascent stage. While the awareness is fast catching up and the need for air purifiers is felt, it is still not seen as an essential commodity. However, the market is growing at a rapid pace and in the coming year’s air purification systems will as essential as an air conditioner and will become a substantially large industry.

India’s air purifying market is still at a very nascent stage; though awareness is fast catching up, the need for air purifiers is still not seen as an essential commodity.
Ashish Gupta, Sales Head, B2B, SHARP