As sustainability becomes a priority across all industries, cleanroom operations are stepping up with innovative, more efficient solutions. From cutting energy use with upgraded HVAC systems to reducing waste through rentals and modular cleanrooms, there’s a growing emphasis on doing more with less—all without compromising product performance.
This article takes an in-depth look at some of the most impactful innovations in sustainable cleanroom practices, including energy-saving HVAC systems, reusable modular components, rental cleanrooms, and advances in real-time environmental monitoring systems.
HVAC efficiency
Depending on your industry, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems can be a critical component of a cleanroom. Many industries rely on precise temperature and humidity control for their processes. Whether it’s pharmaceutical packaging or orbital welding, even slight changes in environmental conditions can affect product quality or process reliability. The HVAC system keeps everything stable and consistent, ensuring operations run smoothly.
However, these systems can account for about 80% of a cleanroom’s energy usage. Over the years, HVAC systems have become much more intelligent and responsive, utilising sensors and automation to adjust airflow—and therefore energy use—in real time.
Demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) is now widely used, reducing airflow when environmental conditions are met, conserving energy without sacrificing necessary cleanliness standards.
Variable frequency drives (VFDs) are another option to help reduce energy consumption. These drives allow fans and motors to operate at varying speeds to meet demand, rather than running at full throttle 100% of the time.
Additionally, improved monitoring and analytics have allowed operators to gain deeper insight into efficiencies, system performance, and predictive maintenance needs. These advancements not only reduce the cost to operate, but also significantly lower the environmental impact of the cleanroom.
By integrating smarter, more adaptive HVAC systems, industries can maintain the cleanliness levels they require while supporting sustainability goals and practices.
Rentals
Another recent development in the world of cleanrooms is the introduction of the rental market. With innovations in the types of products available, we’re seeing an influx of temporary-use cleanrooms.
Mobile cleanrooms, built in the back of semi-trailers, can be shipped to your facility at a moment’s notice, providing a temperature- and humidity-controlled ISO Class 5 cleanroom almost instantly. By using an existing cleanroom, users can reduce waste from constructing a new custom cleanroom, as well as lower the overall materials used. They also minimise costs by cutting down on labour and time spent building—both of which can halt operations and impact company output.
The past several years have brought further innovations to cleanroom rental products, such as the Instant Cleanroom (trademarked), designed by the team at Instant Cleanroom Solutions. The Instant Cleanroom is a modern take on the classic softwall build—constructed with high-pressure inflatable beams. Easy to ship and assemble, the product reduces shipping and construction costs and waste, and it has the ability to provide a customer with an ISO Class 5 cleanroom overnight.
Rentals are a smart choice for cleanroom users looking to engage in sustainable practices when a permanent or highly customised solution isn’t needed.
Modular designs
Similarly, modular cleanroom builds have come a long way in recent years, now offering a much more sustainable alternative to traditional builds. By utilising pre-engineered walls and components, modular cleanrooms significantly reduce material waste, shorten build times, and lower labour costs—all without sacrificing quality.
Many cleanroom build providers now carry a large inventory of standardised parts to help speed up lead times, with installations being completed in as little as twelve weeks. These shorter timelines mean less energy usage during the build process and fewer resources consumed overall. Many of these components can also be reused for future projects, increasing their long-term value.
The average construction project produces around 2 to 2.5 pounds of waste per square foot. So a 1,000 sqf cleanroom could generate up to 2,500 pounds of waste in the form of scrap materials, packaging, and excess supplies—a large majority of which ends up in landfills. However, much of that waste can be avoided with a modular build, where materials are pre-cut and pre-assembled for better efficiency.
As demand grows for cleaner, faster, and more cost-effective solutions, modular cleanrooms are quickly becoming the go-to option across industries—from pharmaceutical to semiconductor and beyond.
Efficient HEPA/ULPA filters
Advancements in HEPA and ULPA filtration have also played a key role in making cleanrooms more sustainable. New filter media, such as nanofibres and electrospun materials, allow for higher particle capture rates with lower resistance. This enables the HVAC system to move air more efficiently, reducing energy consumption.
Many modern filters are designed to last longer than before, decreasing the frequency of replacements. Additionally, many incorporate recycled or eco-friendly materials, lowering the amount of new waste sent to landfills.
Some systems also now utilise smart sensors to monitor filter performance in real time, helping operators avoid premature replacements. These improvements not only support cleaner air but also contribute to reduced energy use, material consumption, and operational waste across the board.
Conclusion
The push for sustainability within cleanroom operations is no longer just a trend—it’s becoming an industry standard. From smarter HVAC systems that reduce energy consumption to modular and rental solutions that cut down on waste, labour, and materials, cleanroom design and functionality are evolving to meet both performance and environmental goals. Innovations in filtration and monitoring are helping facilities operate more efficiently while maintaining the strict standards that cleanrooms demand.
As industries continue to prioritise sustainability, these advancements offer a clear path forward—proving that clean, controlled environments can also be cleaner for the planet.