The primary function of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is to help maintain good indoor air quality by providing adequate ventilation with filtration and thermal comfort. Proper air filtration and HVAC filter care will result in improved conditions and air quality for building occupants, as well as increased efficiency and longevity of the HVAC system. Depending on the Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV) of your air filters, the placement of air filters within a building's ventilation system can block airborne particulates such as animal dander, pollen, mould spores, bacteria, and viruses. It is recommended that you use filters for air conditioning systems with a MERV rating of 8 to 13 for an HVAC system. The higher the rating, the more contaminants are blocked, resulting in better protection of the equipment and building occupants.

Market Dynamics

Impact of COVID-19 on HVAC filters has positive impact for the growth of global market

According to data released by the US Environmental Protection Agency, HVAC filters can aid in the reduction of airborne contaminants such as viruses in a building or small space. Air cleaning or filtration alone will not protect people from COVID-19. Filtration can be part of a plan to reduce the potential for COVID-19 airborne transmission indoors when used in conjunction with other best practices recommended by the CDC and other public health agencies, such as social distancing and mask wearing. For example, bipolar ionization (also known as needlepoint bipolar ionization) is a technology that can be used to generate positively and negatively charged particles in HVAC systems or portable air cleaners. Manufacturers of these types of devices may market this technology to help remove viruses from the air, including SARS-2-CoV, the virus that causes COVID-19, or to facilitate surface disinfection of surfaces within a treated area, provided they have data to demonstrate efficacy. This is a new technology, and there is little research that evaluates it outside of lab conditions. As is typical of newer technologies, the evidence for safety and efficacy is less well documented than for more established ones such as filtration.

Stringent government regulations for installation of HVAC systems propel the growth of global market

Large building HVAC systems typically filter air before it is distributed throughout the building, so consider upgrading HVAC filters as necessary for your specific building and HVAC system (consult an HVAC professional). Because of the variety and complexity of HVAC systems in large buildings, professional interpretation of technical guidelines, such as those provided by ASHRAEEXIT and CDC, is required. To minimize filter air bypass, the EPA, ASHRAE, and CDC recommend upgrading air filters to the highest efficiency possible that is compatible with the system and checking the filter fit. The governing bodies prepared a number of safety guides emphasizing the installation of HVAC filters. While pollutant levels from individual sources may not pose a significant health risk on their own, most homes have more than one source that contributes to indoor air pollution, according to a report released by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. The cumulative effects of these sources can pose a serious risk. Fortunately, most people can take steps to reduce the risk from existing sources while also preventing new problems from arising. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) created this safety guide to help you decide whether to take actions to reduce the level of indoor air pollution in your home.

Market Segmentation

The global HVAC filters market is segmented based on material, technology, and end-use. By material, the market is segmented as fiberglass, synthetic polymer, carbon, and metal. By technology, the market is segmented as HEPA, electrostatic precipitators, activated carbon, and others (UV filtration and ionic filtration). Based on end-use, the market is segregated as building & construction, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, automotive, and others (electronics & semiconductors and livestock)

Based on material, synthetic polymer segment is predicted to record substantial market share in the forecast period

Synthetic polymer filter materials are available in the form of pleats or stretched films, and are manufactured using either a spunbond or a melt-blown process. The pleats increase the surface area of the filters, making them more effective at capturing airborne particles in HVAC systems. Pleated synthetic polymer air filters with a rating of 7-13 can outperform high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in terms of efficiency while costing less. These filters can be washed and reused due to their durability. Pleated synthetic polymer air filters are widely available, have lower airflow resistance than HEPA filters, and allow the HVAC system's blower fan to operate quietly. These factors have accelerated the development of synthetic polymer materials.

Based on technology, HEPA filters segment will account largest market share in the coming years

HEPA filters have a wide range of applications, including residential buildings, pharmaceutical manufacturing, food and beverage production, and clean rooms in the electronics and semiconductor industries, among others. HEPA filters are installed in the pharmaceutical industry's production spaces, which must be free of contaminants. These filters also protect patients from infection while also protecting employees and visitors from airborne organisms.

By end-use, pharmaceutical segment will hold dominating market share in the forthcoming years

To prevent the entry of very fine particles through HVAC filters, the pharmaceutical industry primarily uses HEPA technology with high MERV ratings. This increase is attributed to an increase in new product launches, which will lead to an increase in pharmaceutical product production. HVAC systems will be required in manufacturing plants for these products to maintain the air quality of the production space. As a result, the pharmaceutical industry will see an increase in demand for highly efficient HVAC filters.

Regional Overview

HVAC filters from North America are expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. The rapid growth of the pharmaceutical industry in the region, as well as the rising prevalence of chronic health diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure, cancer, and so on, are factors that contribute to the growth of the global HVAC filters market.

Competitive Landscape

The key players involved in the global HVAC filters market are 3M, Parker-Hannifin Corporation, The Camfil Group, MANN+HUMMEL, American Air Filter Company, Inc., Donaldson Company, Inc., Ahlstrom-Munksjö Oyj, and among others

Market Segmentation

Market By Material

Fiberglass
Synthetic Polymer
Carbon
Metal

Market By Technology

HEPA
Electrostatic Precipitators
Activated Carbon
Others (UV filtration and ionic filtration)

Market By End-use Industry

Building & Construction
Pharmaceutical
Food & Beverage
Automotive
Others (electronics & semiconductors and livestock)

Market By Geography

North America
•    U.S.
•    Canada

Europe
•    U.K.
•    Germany
•    France
•    Spain
•    Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific
•    China
•    Japan
•    India
•    Australia
•    South Korea
•    Rest of Asia-Pacific

Latin America
•    Brazil 
•    Mexico
•    Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa
•    GCC
•    South Africa
•    Rest of Middle East & Africa