HEPA-lite set to open doors for GMP packaging manufacturing

A unique new product is set to minimise the costs associated with packaging production to GMP air standards.

Award-winning modular cleanroom specialist, Connect 2 Cleanrooms, is poised to launch the HEPA-lite – a mobile, adjustable cleanroom unit which can be fitted at mission-critical elements of the manufacturing process line.  It will be unveiled at Interplas, from September 30 – October 2, 2014, at the NEC, Birmingham, UK.

HEPA-lite provides localised filtered air to protect processes from contamination, without the need to enclose the entire machine set-up within a cleanroom environment. 

The modular system is designed with the ultimate flexibility in mind.  Low, braked castors and angle-adjustable legs make the product easy to slide under machinery and the C-frame itself is built bespoke to requirements.  Its minimal footprint makes it ideal for workspaces where space is at a premium.

Managing director of Connect 2 Cleanrooms, Joe Govier, explained the reasons behind the creation of HEPA-lite.

“The HEPA-lite will create significant savings for companies producing packaging for products such as drugs, medical devices or food, where ISO 14644-1 standards or a Class 5-9 environment is required.  It will also enable a greater number of manufacturers to bid for this type of packaging contract, as the amount of time and money required to meet the GMP standards will be greatly reduced,” Joe said.

“HEPA-lite is economical, adaptable and efficient.  It effectively maintains the quality of air at points where the packaging is exposed, meaning that manufacturers will no longer need to enclose the entire production line within a cleanroom environment.”

HEPA-lite is ideal for use on injection moulding machines, for example protecting the mould area, and can be adapted for use on conveyor systems and process and flow lines. 

Being mobile, HEPA-lite is easy to manoeuver, making it simple to perform cleaning, tool changes or to carry out maintenance on the machinery.  The product features integrated LED lighting and a digital pressure differential transmitter with digital output.  This enables the manufacturer to specify upper and lower thresholds for air pressure requirements and triggers an audible and visual warning alarm, should pressure vary outside these parameters.

HEPA-lite can also be customised to suit manufacturers’ individual needs.  Side panel options are available, with either a softwall curtain or clear acrylic hardwall, and the product can be supplied with the customer’s branding.

“We are very much looking forward to demonstrating HEPA-lite to visitors at Interplas.  It is a product we are extremely proud of and one which we believe will be of enormous benefit to many companies,” Joe added.

Visit Connect 2 Cleanrooms on stand D81 at Interplas, the UK’s leading plastics industry event.  Operations manager, Darren Brackwell, will deliver a seminar at the exhibition, entitled The Secret of Delivering Competitive Advantage Through Process Control, at 1.30pm on Wednesday 1^st October.