Emerging industries like cannabis, urban farming and biotechnology have started to go mainstream.
Often, start-up companies in these industries are using borrowed space for production, like a small plot of land in the middle of a city block or rented square footage in an existing warehouse.
Many items grown or manufactured in these emerging industries need protection from exposure to potential contaminants. This means controlled spaces, like clean rooms, are required to get started.
Yet how does a new business owner with a limited budget in one of these industries construct a clean room in an old factory, rented office space or other random unsuitable environment? The answer: They use portable clean rooms.
Portable clean rooms, also known as modular clean rooms, are not a new phenomenon. They have been used in manufacturing and scientific research facilities for years as a lower cost alternative to create environments that are safe for handling delicate chemicals or items that cannot be contaminated like food, drugs or even medical devices.
However, as industries have evolved and new ones have emerged, the need for portable clean rooms continues. Here are some of the leading reasons why businesses like yours are choosing portable clean rooms as they grow.
Portable Clean Rooms Provide Controlled Environments
In a clean room, airborne particles like dust, microbes, aerosol particles and chemical vapors are controlled so they don’t
contaminate products or testing equipment. A clean room’s class is defined by the concentration of particles of various sizes ranging from 0.1 microns to 0.5 microns.
High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters help trap particles that are 0.3 micron and larger in size. All of the air delivered to a clean room must pass through HEPA filters. The cleaner the room (ISO 5 vs ISO 8), the higher the required number of HEPA filters. In some cases, Ultra Low Particulate Air (ULPA) filters are used instead – usually when extra filtering is required.
Environments that may require the use of clean rooms include:
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Semiconductor fabrication
- Biotechnology research and development
- Aerospace engineering
- Medical device manufacturing
- Food and beverage production
- Optical equipment manufacturing
- Nanotechnology research
- Cosmetics productions
- Automotive manufacturing (for high-precision components)
- Laboratory testing
- Electronics manufacturing
- Nuclear research
- Veterinary and animal care (for sterile surgical environments)
For companies with larger, more established operations, it’s realistic to build new clean rooms or retrofit existing rooms within a facility to meet clean room specifications. For smaller companies that are just starting out or companies that want flexibility, portable clean rooms may present a more realistic solution.
Portable Clean Rooms Cost Less
There is a significant difference between traditional vs. portable clean room cost.
A traditional clean room, also known as a hardwall clean room, can cost as much as $1,500 per square foot. For a 10’ by 10’ space, this would amount to around $150,000.
Portable clean rooms, also known as softwall cleanrooms, can cost anywhere from $100 to $150 per square foot. That would put the average cost of a 10’ by 10’ clean room space at $10,000 to $15,000.
Traditional clean rooms may also require significant upgrades to your existing facilities, further driving up expenses. The high initial investment and the potential need for structural modifications make traditional clean rooms a less accessible option for many businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
In contrast, the affordability and flexibility of portable clean rooms make them an attractive alternative, allowing businesses to achieve the necessary environmental controls without prohibitive costs.
Portable Clean Rooms Are Easy To Reconfigure
Portable clean rooms can become larger, smaller or even moved entirely to different locations within your facility, as your
business grows and changes.
This flexibility allows new companies to grow as their output grows, without having to tear down walls or even relocate operations altogether. For established companies, it allows their clean room to remain easily adaptable as their business needs change.
This adaptability not only saves time and money but also minimizes disruption to ongoing operations, ensuring that companies can maintain productivity while upgrading or expanding their clean room capabilities.
Portable Clean Rooms Can Be Installed Faster
Construction projects can take months to complete, especially if they have complex requirements like those of a clean room. Portable clean rooms often can be manufactured, delivered and installed before a conventional clean room can even be designed.
Faster delivery and installation of a clean room allows you to get your product out the door faster and avoid costly downtime. This rapid deployment is crucial in industries where time-to-market is a significant competitive factor.
The reduced construction time also minimizes disruption to your existing operations, allowing your business to maintain continuity and focus on core activities. With the ability to swiftly implement a clean room solution, companies can better respond to market demands, regulatory changes and technological advancements, ensuring they remain agile and competitive in their respective fields.
How To Choose A Portable Clean Room Manufacturer
Designing a lab or manufacturing environment is tricky enough without having to consider the additional costs and complex requirements of controlled spaces like clean rooms.
When selecting a portable clean room manufacturer, it's essential to evaluate the company’s experience and reputation in the industry. Look for manufacturers who offer comprehensive support, from initial design consultation to installation and ongoing maintenance. Ensure they use high-quality materials and have a proven track record of meeting industry standards and regulatory requirements.
Consider the level of customization the manufacturer provides to tailor the clean room to your specific needs. It's also beneficial to check customer reviews and request references to gauge their reliability and customer satisfaction.
With modular options at your disposal, the build-out of your space truly doesn't need to feel as daunting. You can keep your space flexible, your product protected and your budget in check by going modular.
