Cleanroom technology is changing and improving as we speak. Cleanrooms are becoming bigger and better, helping companies build more complex equipment in a sterile environment. This has also led to increased demand for cleanrooms, resulting in growth in the overall market.
According to data from the Coherent Market Insights report, the global cleanrooms market size, which is at $4.07 billion currently, is expected to reach $5.828 billion by 2027.
The following are some of the ways that cleanroom technology is changing:
Modular Cleanrooms
Modular cleanrooms are becoming more common in many industries, from biotech to medical research and development. They allow you to create a custom workspace that reduces contamination while allowing easy maintenance and cleaning.
Hence, the demand for modular cleanroom solutions is growing. Market analysis shows that the global modular cleanroom solutions market will reach $837.6 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 6.3% over the forecast period.
Cleanrooms are used in various industries, including pharmaceutical or medical research and development, semiconductor manufacturing, food processing, aerospace manufacturing, and electronics assembly. In these areas, the goal is often to reduce contamination by any means necessary, including limiting the number of dust particles floating around.
Switchable Glazing
One of the keys to maintaining cleanliness in a cleanroom is controlling light and airflow. Cleanrooms must be kept as free from dust as possible, so controlling the amount of light coming in is essential.
Switchable glazing is a type of glass that can change its transparency depending on whether it needs to block out or let in light. This allows you to control exactly how much light and airflow you have coming into your cleanroom environment.
Switchable glazing can also be used for other purposes, such as temperature regulation. You could use it on windows that face south or west so they would automatically block out heat when necessary during warmer months but allow sunlight through during cold seasons when you want your employees to feel motivated by natural lighting.
Active Cleanroom Air Filters
Active air filters are special cleanroom filter that uses a fan to move air through the filter. Many active air filters require High-Efficiency Particle Arresting (HEPA) or Ultra Low Particulate Air filters, but some models can be used with any filter.
While multiple options are available, using HEPA filters is recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The reason is that these filters can help remove 99.7% of particles that are 0.3 microns or larger from the air.
The strength of the air filter you need will depend on your selected ISO class of cleanroom. There are 9 ISO classes from ISO to ISO 9. If you select to work in an ISO 9 cleanroom, it means that you can allow 35,200,000 particles > 0.5 microns per cubic meter. On the other hand, if it’s ISO 1, only 4 particles per 0.5 microns cubic meter are allowed. Hence, you will need more powerful air filters here.
You can learn about classifications of cleanrooms to understand what class has what limitations. This can help you design a suitable cleanroom for your needs.
The biggest benefit of active air filtration is that it’s more efficient than passive air filtration. This means less energy is needed to run your cleanroom, and less maintenance is required over time. Active airflow also helps prevent cross-contamination between rooms by creating an even flow throughout the space that prevents particles from collecting in one area and becoming stagnant.
Energy Efficiency in Cleanrooms
Energy depletion is a rising concern worldwide. Hence, almost every government and organization is trying to reduce energy consumption. Even the European Union has planned a target of around 32.5% reduction in energy consumption by 2030.
Cleanrooms consume a lot of energy, using multiple tools, such as filters, environment control devices, etc. In fact, data shows that cleanrooms consume 25.3x more energy than standard rooms.
Cleanrooms are becoming more common in a lot of different places. In addition to the traditional cleanrooms found in hospitals, research labs, and manufacturing plants, energy-efficient cleanrooms are also used for other purposes.
Working on HVAC systems can help reduce energy consumption in cleanrooms. Cleanrooms use HVAC systems for temperature control. However, they can consume a lot of energy. Using energy-efficient HVAC systems can help reduce cleanrooms’ carbon footprints.
For instance, a recent study published in the ScienceDirect journal analyzes the performance and potential of energy saving through HVAC systems in semiconductor cleanrooms. The study concludes that energy-efficient HVAC systems can reduce energy consumption in cleanrooms by 20.2%.
Cleanroom Robots
Robotics is an exciting technology because it can be used in many ways. You may have heard of robots that clean your house, or maybe you’ve seen one at an amusement park. These are all great examples of robots being used to perform tasks that are daunting for humans.
Cleanroom robots are also becoming more common and used for all sorts of things, from cleaning to moving equipment around the cleanroom. According to the market analysis by Grand View Research, the cleanroom robots market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 26.4% between 2022 and 2030.
Cleanrooms require special conditions and maintenance to keep the air inside them as clean as possible. This means no dust particles or other contaminants can escape into the rest of your building or facility because they could introduce contamination into other parts of your space outside of the specific testing area.
You might think about robots being something out there in science fiction movies only, but these types exist today. Some companies use them for cleaning up after testing has been completed by humans, so nothing gets left behind accidentally. This prevents accidents later down the line once everything has been packaged up nicely again before shipping out internationally through customs clearance procedures.
Isolator Technology
Isolator technology is a simple yet effective way to provide cleanroom barriers. This barrier is constructed so contaminants from other areas of your facility and vice versa cannot access the cleanroom. The isolator can be used internally or externally, depending on the needs of your industry.
Isolators are commonly used in manufacturing facilities, but they’re also used in hospitals and pharmaceutical labs where high levels of sterility are required. Typically, isolators are built into walls or floors. However, some special types, like electrostatic fields, also work.
Conclusion
We’re excited to see how these innovations will impact the cleanroom industry. As technology advances, staying on top of industry news is vital. With the latest and relevant information, you can grab emerging business opportunities and help grow your company.
