Seating solutions for cleanrooms

Cleanroom environments place high demands on the quality of all components used. In addition to airflow, filtration, and surface finish, ergonomic equipment also has a direct impact on process safety and the stability of work procedures. Seating solutions are an element that is often underestimated – although they have a significant influence on the precision, concentration, and resilience of employees.

The new work chair TEXON from BIMOS demonstrates how modern cleanroom chairs have evolved both technically and visually.

Cleanroom-relevant requirements for seating solutions

Work chairs in cleanrooms must meet ergonomic, hygienic, and electrostatic requirements simultaneously. These include:

– Low particle emission
– Durable, sealed surfaces
– Easy cleaning and disinfecting capability
– Protection against electrostatic charging according to EN 61340-5-1
– Mechanical robustness even with intensive use
– Ergonomic support over long work periods

Based on these requirements, Bimos developed the Texon and tested it according to DIN EN ISO 14644-1 for cleanliness class 3 and ESD standards, supporting sensitive processes in cleanrooms.

Hygienic Design as a structural basis

Hygienic Design was defined as a central criterion in the development of TEXON.

Bimos incorporated:

– Seamless, smooth surfaces to prevent particle deposits,
– Rounded transitions that facilitate cleaning,
– Fully encapsulated mechanics to protect against dirt ingress,
– Removable upholstery for better cleaning of hard-to-reach areas.

These features are aligned with the actual processes in pharmaceutical, biotechnological, and microelectronic production. They are implemented to allow cleaning and disinfection processes to be carried out with minimal effort, ensuring that the hygienic condition reliably reaches the same high level after each cleaning. This ensures long-term hygienic safety — regardless of how often cleaning occurs or who performs it.

Skintec: Material development specifically for cleanroom environments

A key component of Texon is the substrate material Skintec, which was specially developed by Bimos for cleanroom, laboratory, ESD, and production areas.

Technical properties

Skintec was designed to:

– Be conductive in all colors – even in light shades,
– Have a sealed, non-slip surface with low abrasion,
– Remain resistant to common cleaning and disinfecting agents,
– Be dimensionally stable and soft to ensure comfort and stability during long sitting periods,
– Be characterized by low particle emission.

These properties enable Skintec to be used both hygienically and ergonomically – an advantage that has been difficult to achieve in many cleanrooms so far.

Sustainability aspect

Bimos also developed Skintec with resource-efficient manufacturing in mind – a technology that was awarded the Baden-Württemberg Environmental Technology Prize in 2025. Key features include:

– Production with water-driven foam systems,
– Avoidance of halogenated blowing agents and PVC,
– Up to 25% lower CO₂ emissions,
– Reduced material weight while maintaining durability.

The combination of cleanroom suitability, ESD functionality, and sustainability demonstrates that material development has become a key to advancing seating solutions.

Ergonomics in the cleanroom – requirements and implementation

Cleanroom processes demand precise, sometimes hours-long work in a consistent posture.
The Texon was therefore developed with the aim of supporting employees through ergonomic features, including:

– Synchronous movement mechanics enabling dynamic sitting,
– Individually adjustable seat depth, height, and armrests,
– Stable yet flexible back support,
– Movement adaptation to reduce unilateral strain.

These mechanisms are intended to contribute to consistent work quality by minimizing physical fatigue and promoting focused work.

Design principles as a functional element

Together with the design agency Phoenix, Bimos developed a form concept that makes technical functions visible. The characteristic “X” between the seat surface and the backrest not only serves as a visual guide but also marks the interface between mechanics and ergonomics.

In cleanrooms, often characterized by highly functional and minimalist architecture, design can help make workplaces clearer and more intuitive to operate. The award of the Red Dot Design Award confirms this approach, without letting the design aspect overshadow the technical function.

Outlook: Extending development to other application areas

The technical insights gained from developing Texon and Skintec will be applied from 2026 in other Bimos models – including NEON, NEXXIT, and LABSIT. This allows for consistent hygienic and electrostatic standards to be transferred across different work areas – from cleanrooms to laboratories to industrial production zones.

The ongoing development of modern seating solutions will continue to focus on three factors:

1. Material innovation that combines purity, conductivity, and sustainability,
2. Ergonomic dynamics that adapt to individual movement patterns,
3. Holistic workplace concepts that see seating solutions as an integral part of process-critical workstations.

The development of Texon illustrates how cleanroom chairs today must be designed to meet diverse technical, ergonomic, and hygienic requirements. The combination of Hygienic Design, ESD-compliant construction, ergonomic movement mechanics, and the specially developed Skintec material demonstrates that modern seating solutions can make a tangible contribution to the stability and quality of sensitive processes.

Seating furniture is thus no longer just an interchangeable accessory, but a functional
component of quality-relevant work environments. Bimos’s developments show how technical expertise can be strategically used to equip cleanrooms more safely, efficiently, and sustainably.