Abilities at Your Disposal
In the pursuit of cleaner air, several startups are making significant strides in air filtration and purification technologies. These innovative companies, including Airlich IP ApS, Applied Photonix, Adsorbi, and Innova NanoJet, are redefining the industry with their groundbreaking approaches.
Airlich IP ApS, founded in 2022, is leading the charge with its open-path technology that keeps airflow resistance minimal, ensuring a pressure drop under 100 pascals (Pa). This system is capable of removing up to 90% of gas and particle pollutants in a single pass, reducing operational costs associated with HVAC by up to 45%. The company's EcoGainTM technology also reduces a building's CO2 footprint by up to 19 tons per year for a single 600 m2 restaurant.
Applied Photonix, founded by Yogi and Lovely Goswami, developed its ViroZap technology in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This technology utilises a combination of filtration, advanced plasmonic photonic technology, and LED lighting to destroy pathogens in the air. It has received FDA 510(K) clearance and UL certification, and has been tested to show over 4 log reduction of airborne microorganisms.
Adsorbi, another trailblazer, is establishing a production facility in Gothenburg with the capacity to manufacture 100 tonnes of Adsorbi material annually. This cellulose-based adsorbent material demonstrates 5-8x higher adsorption efficiency than traditional alternatives like activated carbon. It effectively captures volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and gaseous ammonia. Adsorbi's innovative material was first developed to capture VOCs in museums to protect sensitive artwork from deterioration.
Innova NanoJet's flagship "Clean Air for Life" CDa series is ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certified. The company uses supersonic, ultra-fine nano-scale droplet sprays for filter-free air purification, destroying 99% of airborne pollutants. Innova NanoJet's water-based technology eliminates the need for costly filter replacements, reducing maintenance costs compared to traditional filtration systems.
While the focus has been on these four startups, it's worth noting that the search results do not provide specific information on four other startups using alternative filterless technologies. These startups offer affordability over traditional HEPA filters, helping companies achieve their sustainability goals.
The Danish Energy Agency's Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (EUDP) awarded Airlich a grant of DKK 7.35 million in February 2025. Adsorbi won the national final at the SEB Next Awards in the New Ideas category in September 2024. The adsorbent material developed by Adsorbi is recyclable, water-resistant, and has a longer lifespan than industry-standard materials.
Applied Photonix's ViroZap technology uses plasmonic nanoparticles and photocatalysts to produce highly reactive hydroxyl radicals that destroy pollutants. This technology, along with the other innovative solutions mentioned, is paving the way for a cleaner, healthier future.
