From small to mobile cleanrooms: industries can learn from each other

MF-Gelände

MF-Hall 4

MF Measurement Tower

Cleanrooms are needed in many industries. Often, the challenges and solutions are similar. Nevertheless, each industry pursues its own concepts. Against the backdrop of a generally increasing pressure for innovation and cost, more and more users and providers of cleanroom technology are looking beyond their own borders. The Cleanzone from October 22 to 23, 2013, in Frankfurt specifically addresses this development and creates an international platform for interdisciplinary knowledge transfer.

This cross-sector exchange is increasingly valued as very valuable by experts. They are convinced that one industry can learn a lot from another in cleanroom technology — but also that these opportunities have been underutilized in the past. For example, there is a strong trend across industries towards small, local solutions. A noteworthy trend here is set by semiconductor technology. Its highest goal is the miniaturization of structures to be produced, for example, to pack more and more information onto a silicon wafer. In these highly sensitive areas, a single dust particle can impair the entire process. For quality reasons alone, very small, perfectly controllable cleanrooms are required here. However, every cubic centimeter of cleanroom space costs more. The solution is to only include the truly sensitive components in the cleanroom. Machines and equipment that can be “unclean” are connected externally. Ideally, a small glove box suffices for the required cleanroom class in the end.

An additional noteworthy concept is offered by medical technology: transportable cleanroom containers are transported by truck to where they are needed. For example, surgical aids are produced directly on-site instead of centrally in large cleanrooms and are sterilized and made available to surgeons. And last but not least, the food industry can benefit from exchange with the pharmaceutical industry. The interface between the industries mainly lies in microbiology, i.e., protection against contamination to extend shelf life. The air supply and exhaust management systems common in pharmaceuticals provide an adequate solution here.

Cleanzone: Interdisciplinary exchange in focus

The second Cleanzone in Frankfurt promotes this increasingly necessary interdisciplinary exchange. It appeals to visitors from different industries with two clear thematic focuses: “Technology & Microtechnology” is aimed at the industries of microelectronics, microsystems technology, semiconductors, aerospace, optics and laser technology, automotive, electronics, and precision mechanics. The focus “Life Sciences” includes pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, medical research, pharmacies, and biotechnology. Overlaps are found in the application fields of medical technology and packaging. Messe Frankfurt supports exhibitors in presenting their products and services as practically and vividly as possible at the fair. Additionally, application-oriented lectures and discussion rounds are planned on the free action stage Cleanzone Plaza.

The Cleanzone Congress also reflects this same interdisciplinary approach: the high-quality program delves deeply into both cross-industry trends and specialized fields. The topics include: Energy Efficiency, Cleanrooms & Hospitals, Nanotechnology & Measurement, Facility Management & Cleanroom Systems, Surface Cleanliness, The Future of Cleanroom Technology, Cleanroom Testing & Monitoring, Standardization, and Sales & Services.

The interest from various industries in this cross-sector approach is high. This is also reflected in media participation. Premium partners include Wiley-VCH Verlag with the trade magazine Cleanroom Technology, Vogel Industrie Medien GmbH with its titles Process, DeviceMed, and Pharmatec, as well as Konradin Verlag with cav (Chemistry, Plants, Processes), dei (The Food Industry), and Pharmaproduktion. Supporting titles also include CCR (Contamination Control Report), Chemie Plus, ChemieXtra, Cleanroom Magazine, Cleanroom Technology, Gesundheit Adhoc, Das Gesundheitswesen, Reinraum Online, and Sauberkeit & Reinraum.