The right air quality, where it is needed

At Tönnies headquarters in the meat processing sector, the air purifier CC 6000 is equipped with high-performance HEPA H14 filters (equivalent to cleanroom standards) and is successfully in use. (Image: Tönnies / Camfil)

Shortly after commissioning the air purifiers in the production hall / dismantling area, the particle load was already reduced by more than half. (Image: Tönnies / Camfil)

Air purifier CC 6000 equipped with HEPA filters H14 (cleanroom standard) as freestanding units. (Image: Tönnies / Camfil)

Air purifier CC 2000 in mobile version equipped with HEPA filters H14 (cleanroom standard) in wall and ceiling installation possible. (Image: Tönnies / Camfil)

The measurement results using an example of particle measurement on a recirculating air system. (Image: Tönnies / Camfil)

- The Tönnies Group takes consequences from the infection wave in the meat industry and has successfully implemented a multi-stage hygiene concept in test operation
- Air purifiers with high-performance filters successfully tested to set standards for this sensitive food sector
- ProSafe HEPA Filter H14: the efficient solution in the hygiene concept

The Tönnies Group, a global player in the food industry for quality meat, has successfully implemented a multi-stage hygiene concept in its headquarters in Rheda-Wiedenbrück / North Rhine-Westphalia in the area of meat processing, currently in test operation. The goal: to establish new hygiene regulations and standards for this sensitive food sector — meat production — which have previously been unregulated in any way. A particular focus here is on indoor air quality to protect employees and to contain the spread of aerosols / viruses.

Risks identified

Scientific studies have shown that circulating air, distributed via cooling systems, can facilitate the spread of the virus. The virus encapsulated in aerosols is 80-160 nanometers in size and can remain active in the air for up to three hours. All production areas are equipped with adequate fresh air supply. The temperatures required for meat processing, approximately 6 - 10°C, are generated by recirculating air cooling. The circulating recirculated air is cooled and reintroduced into the room. As confirmed, this contributes to the persistence and further spread of viruses in certain parts of the production rooms. It is necessary to implement technical measures based on this to better protect employees from the virus than before.

The solution

To largely eliminate the risk of spread, Camfil has equipped the meat processing area at the Tönnies headquarters with air purifiers CC 6000 and CC 2000 with high-performance filters HEPA H14 (equivalent to cleanroom standards). This cleans the indoor air, removing circulating aerosols / viruses, so that only this highly efficient filtered air is supplied to the cooling systems, which then return this cleaned air into the room. The contamination levels in the processing rooms, particularly in the cutting area, are thus minimized, and particle concentrations and contaminations are effectively reduced in accordance with specifications.

Tested and approved

An expert team — including occupational hygienists and occupational physicians from a recognized university — conducted several days of cold smoke and particle measurements on-site after the installation and setup of these patented recirculating air cleaners. The units were positioned higher up to allow good airflow through the production rooms without hindering operations. The results were convincing: particle load (including circulating aerosols / viruses) was reduced to a minimum through the use of the air purifiers, leading the expert team to officially approve this part of the hygiene concept.

The test demonstrated the reliable and optimal function of the Camfil air purifiers CC 6000 and CC 2000 in pandemic prevention. "We are pleased with the successful test results and the deployment of Camfil air purifiers. Hygiene is especially important in the meat industry. It is crucial to clean indoor air with high-performance filters to protect employees, processes, and products. The CC 6000 and CC 2000 air purifiers, equipped with ProSafe HEPA filters H14, ensure clean air with low energy consumption," said Dirk Leinweber, Director Sales & Marketing of Camfil GmbH.