On average, Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE) producers spend 3-5 years developing their next generation products. They report the process being complex, requiring a lot of time spent on internal trials and validations. The filter design is part of the challenge in coming up with better performing, more comfortable solutions. And while the market points toward smaller filters and higher efficiencies, the technologies available to achieve such goals are becoming less and less viable. In fact, we have reached an inflection point in new filter designs where most filter areas are decreasing by 50% or more compared to historic designs.
To add to that, PFAS-containing filters are increasingly becoming the focus of RPE producers who are seeking solutions without these “forever chemicals”.
New technologies are needed to support the RPE products of the future.
Our customers are saying that they are excited about the enhanced performance that NanoWave® ESA brings vs. current filter constructions. They share that the ease of producing filters with our new product line will facilitate the designing phase of the filter, create less dependance on engineers and operators’ experiences, while also reducing production cost. Our customers are also seeing an advantage in being some of the first ones to go to market with a zero-added PFAS solution that could also allow them to gain further market shares, while meeting their own customers’ requests to move away from PFAS-based chemistries.
It is crucial that we continue to bring answers to optimize and streamline filter designs as demands for zero-added PFAS, smaller, better performing, longer lasting filters continue to grow.