Finland has specific expertise and experience in the cleanroom sector, and some of the leading Finnish businesses in this sector have formed a working partnership to offer complete solutions in international cleanroom markets, with particular emphasis on sustainability.
Credit: Alliance for Sustainable Cleanroom
The new partnership has been created within the ASC alliance (Alliance for Sustainable Cleanrooms), which was established to meet the internationalization objectives of cleanroom industry participants, building on the success of previous collaborative projects. "Clients ordering cleanroom solutions often seek turnkey solutions, so with this new cooperation, it is more than achievable," says Jukka Vasara, vice president at Granlund, who initiated the alliance.
The ASC members believe that cleanroom clients typically have two main priorities: fast project completion on schedule, and quality as a top priority. This is because errors can disrupt production, which can be very costly. “The strength of the alliance,” Vasara explains, “lies in decades of expertise in design, project management, and system capabilities, alongside technological excellence.”
Background
Cleanrooms are essential for many crucial processes, so demand is high, particularly for sustainable, turnkey solutions, and this is one of the major justifications for the ASC Alliance. For example, laboratories and production facilities require strictly regulated environments in electronics, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food, and semiconductor industries, as well as in hospital pharmacies, operating rooms, and the optical industry.
Cleanrooms are classified according to ISO into classes 1–9, and according GMP into classes A to D. Each class defines how clean the air must be, specifying how many particles are allowed per cubic meter of air. The standard's requirements must be meticulously followed, and thoroughly documented. In pharmaceutical cleanrooms, microbiological contamination must also be measured and controlled.
In practice, clean air is typically achieved through effective ventilation and filtration. Consequently, cleanrooms consume high levels of energy, and therefore possess a large carbon footprint. To enhance energy efficiency, the sizing and regulation of cleanroom ventilation systems need to be demand-driven, with accurate monitoring and control systems that are reliable in the long-term. The sustainability of cleanrooms can be further enhanced through initiatives such as the reduction of chemical usage, and better waste management.
ASC – Alliance for Sustainable Cleanrooms
The ASC combines the specialized expertise of its member companies in cleanroom technology, enabling them to provide comprehensive solutions for customers in international markets. The ASC has recently benefited from ‘Group Explorer’ funding from Business Finland, which will enable the alliance to explore new global opportunities, expanding market access and building a stronger international presence.
Members of the alliance include:
- Vaisala - monitoring and measurement solutions
- Granlund - cleanroom design
- Halton - ventilation solutions
- Cleamix - decontamination solutions
- LED Tailor - blue light solutions
- Hermetel - cleanroom elements
- Zeus Tech - validation, measurement, and testing solutions
- Kavika HealthCare - furniture solutions
Visit ASCG.fi to request information on turnkey cleanroom solutions or for the contact details of ASC members.