ClariqAir’s patented technology is designed to capture the global market for air purifiers as governments, corporations, and people recognise the health risks associated with poor air quality.

The air purifiers market has seen a worldwide increase in sales, driven by rising concerns about airborne diseases, since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Over the past year, corporations and building owners have shifted their focus on to public spaces in commercial buildings, such as shopping malls, offices, and hotels, where very little fresh air is circulated through air conditioning systems.

Here in Australia, for example, the government purchased and installed air purifiers at  their COVID-19 quarantine hotels to address the spread of the airborne pathogens.

However, the technology is not just tackling coronaviruses; it is also combating diseases such as asthma, allergies, and other breathing disorders initiated by airborne particles.

Against this backdrop, the air purifier market is projected to rise rapidly over the coming next decade.

The Australian-based private company, ClariqAir, is one of the more innovative companies focusing on cleaning the air in large corporate and medical public spaces.

ClariqAir manufacture air purifier systems, using a patent pending process, called Hybrid Ionic Generator Technology (HIGT), which creates Hydroxyls.

The ClariqAir system generates Hydroxyls, which are modified water molecules that occur naturally in nature and are created by sunlight.

ClariqAir’s advanced technology generate Hydroxyls in an indoor environment, which ‘cleanse’ the air.

Stockhead caught up with ClariqAir’s lead distributor – Fortress Formedeq CEO, Zaid Latif – who said that technologies that produce Hydroxyls have been approved by the FDA in the United States for decades; and that ClariqAir’s technology is just an innovative and more efficient way to produce and distribute them.

“TGA or FDA approval is not required for the ClariqAir technology, as the unit produces an oxidant rather than supplying an oxidant,” Mr Latif added.

However, Mr Latif said that for certain locations, such as health centres, care homes, and hospitals, the ClariqAir technology is currently undergoing a rigorous certification process.

 

Huge addressable market

The global market for air purifiers is estimated to be US$7.5 billion, but it is expected to grow to US$17 billion by 2027.

ClariqAir is targeting commercial sectors, including medical, hospitality, commercial, and industrial; as well as the domestic sector for homes and apartments.

With two confirmed COVID-19 cases traced back to Sydney’s Bondi Junction Westfield, ClariqAir is confident that corporations such as Westfield will be interested in accessing the best technology available to protect the public from exposure to airborne pathogens and acutely infectious diseases.

“When we are talking about a big commercial space like a Westfield shopping centre, the ClariqAir units would attach to the existing HVAC system, which would then push the Hydoxyl oxidant into the ventilation and air conditioning unit,” Mr Latif said.

“The ClariqAir units also have the capability to enhance the air quality, preserves the sterile environment, and reduces the risk of transmissions in hospitals, medical centres, and care homes.

“In a domestic situation, such as a home or apartment, the ClariqAir technology will improve the air quality, especially for people with breathing conditions such as asthma.

Asked if the demand for air purifiers is likely to subside when the pandemic is downgraded to an endemic, Mr Latif said that COVID-19 has altered people’s perception of air quality and what they are beathing in forever.

“Going forward, people will be concerned about the next outbreak of a virus or pathogens. More importantly, corporations and those responsible for the health and safety of the public, are now more aware of their responsibilities to keep the public, patients, and vulnerable elderly people safe,” Mr Latif said.

“ClariqAir’s view is that in the future, attending to the air quality in public access areas will be mandated and regulated by governments. Corporations in particular will need to keep places like shopping centres and hotels open and safe, or they will lose income.”

“Office blocks that attract thousands of workers every day, will need to address air quality under Occupational Health and Safety regulations. Given what COVID-19 has taught us over the past 18 months, how could any building manager or health professional not take their responsibility seriously moving forward?” Mr Latif said.

Part of this is being able to test the quality of the air, which is a further innovation ClariqAir has under development.

ClariqAir technology will also have broad application in food and beverage manufacturing sector; an industry where air quality is very important and where, without suitable technology, airborne pathogens can affect the health of workers and production.

A good example of this being in Victoria where an outbreak in two meat processing plants, lead to the worst COVID-19 outbreak in Australia and a state-wide lockdown to contain a second wave of the virus.

 

Global distribution

ClariqAir has international distribution agreements in place with overseas partners. The company has supplied the Hydroxyl technology to hospitals in Turkey and Cyprus, as well as to casinos in Macau.

In Australia, it is working with a leading national distributor, Fortress Formedeq, which is also a cornerstone investor in ClariqAir.

The ClariqAir devices are manufactured and assembled in a purpose-built factory in Guizhou, China, which has the capacity to produce 40,000 units per month.

This high-volume production means the ClariqAir devices can be manufactured at a low cost per unit; with each device delivering at least a 30 per cent gross manufactured margin. The low cost per unit will also enable the company to scale up production when needed.

 

Competitive advantage

When asked why investors should invest in ClariqAir, Mr Latif referred to the company’s innovative, proven, and unique technology.

“Unlike other conventional air filters where air flow needs to pass through an air conditioning unit, the ClariqAir technology pushes ions and hydroxyls out into an entire treated area, eliminating virtually all (99.9 %) bacteria, mould, viruses, including COVID-19 and other coronaviruses, as well as fumes and odours,” Mr Latif said.

“In the case of the coronavirus, the ClariqAir technology destroys the outer shell of the virus, on contact effectively neutralising and killing it.

“COVID-19 has provided a catalyst for a revision of the standards around air quality that will have lasting ramifications for decades. We will all, rightly so, be much more aware of the air we breathe; and we will all expect corporations and medical facilities to protect our health and wellbeing when we are in any enclosed public space or building.

“This will increase the global market for ClariqAir technology to include every single enclosed space around the globe. As you can imagine, we are very excited about the worldwide potential for such an innovative Australian technology that will save lives and keep enclosed public spaces safe,” Mr Latif said.

ClariqAir is currently gearing up for a capital raise, where it plans to raise $2 million in a pre-IPO round at 16c a share. For more information contact [email protected] or [email protected]

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Infinite ClariqAir, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.