Private Equity Aggregators Can Take Advantage of the Sea Change in the Pump and Valve Markets

Table Of Contents

Introduction

Sea Change in the Pump and Valve Markets

Evidence Based, Forecast Driven Strategy for Pump and Valve Suppliers

The Role of Private Equity Firms

  • May River Capital
  • Warburg Pincus
  • First Reserve
  • Audax
  • Clearlake

Summary

Analysis of 400 Pump and Valve Company Acquisitions

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Introduction

There is a sea change in the pump and valve industry which will greatly increase EBITA for companies which adapt but will negatively impact those who do not. Small and midsized companies will be at a disadvantage if they continue business as usual.

One solution is to join a private equity firm with a compatible portfolio. This article explores the ramifications and options for addressing this sea change.

 

Sea Change in the Pump and Valve Markets

Digital technology is creating a sea change in the markets and profit potential for pump and valve suppliers. It will create the fairest of winds for those who adapt. For those who do not it will be a Tsunami. Navigation is going to be difficult due to a change in the international order triggered by the Russian invasion and the COVID uncertainties.

Medium and small sized pump and valve companies will find the environment particularly challenging. Joining a group of companies with synergistic operations is one of the options.

The total combined pump and valve market is over $200 billion per year. The performance needs include severe, critical, unique and general service. All except general can be considered high performance. The revenues in high performance applications are over $80 billion per year.

The sea change is taking place in all segments but is critical to the high performance products.

Here is the evolution which makes this sea change so important.

  • High performance products are sold by demonstrating lowest total cost of ownership (LTCO).
  • The supplier must understand the customer’s needs in order to develop an LTCO product.
  • Digital technology such as condition and performance monitoring provides evidence of LTCO.
  • Purchasers have avoided new and better products previously due to challenges in determining LTCO.
  • The supplier who can validate LTCO can now easily reach new markets and customers.
  • Digital technology pinpoints product weaknesses and provides a guide for product improvement.
  • With the expanded market the supplier can afford the R&D for product improvement.
  • The supplier develops unique knowledge about the role his product can play in lowering customer TCO.
  • This knowledge allows the supplier to become a solutions provider who with 24-7 access can help minimize TCO over the life of the plant.

The tsunami for those suppliers who don’t adapt includes usurpation of the LTCO determination by the digital systems integrators. They can reduce the pump or valve supplier role to just delivery of specified hardware.

There is one major hurdle to catching the fair winds. While vast amounts of digital evidence is now available there is little organized access to it.

McIlvaine is working with the media as well as suppliers serving the pump and valve industry to assist them in organizing predicate and disputed evidence relative to valve and pump choices. .

This organization of knowledge can be considered an Industrial Internet of Wisdom (IIoW) which is integral to IIoT.

This sea change is also caused by unprecedented international events as described at a recent European conference for private equity firms.

“As with any disruption, there are always opportunities for M&A, but the trick is to differentiate between short-term disruption and long-term fundamental change,” said Jurgis V. Oniunas, Chairman of IMAP (International M&A Partners), a leading global middle market M&A partnership.

More than 130 advisors from partner firms as well as guest speakers joined the bi-annual IMAP conference to discuss and help distinguish between the short- and long-term disruptions, which have become increasingly difficult to navigate amid lingering COVID-19 supply chain issues, rising commodities prices, prolonged inflation, fuel shortages, increasing interest rates, and sanctions against Russia, all of which have collectively caused ripple effects worldwide.

Krisztián Orbán, Founder and Managing Partner of private equity firm Oriens , shared his perspective on the long-term impact of Russia’s invasion on Ukraine, which he described as being a catalyst to expedite the division into a dual world economy. This division would be characterized by a Transatlantic-centric economy driven by the U.S. and by a China-centric economy aligned with Russia, with several countries including India, Brazil, and South Africa still in question as to how they will align. Importantly, this schism is expected to create two disparate economic climates and businesses should not expect the same rules to apply across the bifurcated economies.

His comments highlight the challenge for the mid-range valve and pump companies which need to understand 

and navigate this sea change.

U.S. Secretary Janet Yellen recently commented on this division of international order during a speech to the Atlantic Council on April 13: “The course of the global economy over the past two years has been shaped by COVID-19 and our efforts to fight the pandemic. It’s now evident, though, that the war between Russia and Ukraine has redrawn the contours of the world economic outlook. Russia’s horrific conduct has violated international law, including core tenets of the U.N. Charter, challenging countries to demonstrate where they stand with respect to the international order that has been built since World War II. Therefore, when I speak about a changed global outlook, I’m not just talking about growth forecasts. I’m also referring to our conception of international cooperation going forward.”

Most mid -sized pump and valve companies have unbalanced international strengths and will find it difficult to adapt to the new international cooperation realities.


Evidence Based, Forecast Driven Strategy for Pump and Valve Suppliers

The evidence based, forecast driven sales approach can maximize profits for pump and valve companies. There are two variations of the approach based on whether the valve is in general or high performance service.

The capital investment and sales decisions are different for the two performance classifications. The evidence needed is also different with one based on logistics and the other based on product performance.

Pump and valve performance categories are

  • Severe service
  • Critical service
  • Unique service
  • General service

Severe service includes abrasive, corrosive, high temperature and high pressure applications.  Critical service includes sanitary and other applications where performance is important to product quality or safety. Unique includes special valve designs for a specific customer. General includes valves and pumps which are purchased based more on cost and delivery and less on performance.

Figure 1 shows the market share percentage for each type of valve. The critical service category excludes critical valves which are also in severe service.

pic1


The severe service, critical and unique, are high performance service categories. In high performance service the performance is more important than price or delivery.

General service includes valves and pumps sold more as a commodity. So, in a food processing plant the valves on the municipal water intake pipeline would be in the general category. The ones moving food products would be critical. The ones on the high pressure steam would be severe service.

From a profitability strategy perspective it is advantageous to contrast the high performance and general performance important business factors. The comparison in Figure 2 shows which type produces higher results.

pic2

High performance valves and pumps can be sold at higher prices because of their unique qualities. So high EBITA can be achieved for a relatively sales volume. Many general valves are sold in large quantities. So EBITA based on total revenue is higher than for a small niche market.

EBITA can also be increased with lower production costs than the competition. This is more likely with large volume general performance products.

Engineering and R&D expenses per unit sold are greater for high performance products. It is critical to develop the unique features.

Engineering and R&D for general performance valves can be substantial if the focus is reducing manufacturing costs. But the cost per unit sold would be low due to the high volume.

Capital investment will typically be higher for general performance valves due to the likelihood that the valves are produced in a supplier owned facility. High performance valves are likely to include castings and components supplied by others.

Sales of high performance valves depend on conveying knowledge of the superiority. Direct sales by specialists is important.

General purpose valves and pumps can be purchased with the simple total cost of ownership analysis based on price. The purchase of high performance valves and pumps warrant a total cost of ownership analysis. One large steel company found that local purchases tended to be based on price and experience. 

This precluded consideration of new and better valves and pumps. 

Corporate staff took over the high performance valve and pump decision making for all the plants. The result was a considerable reduction in total cost of ownership.

A large chemical company has a corporate staff assigned to valves and pumps. It strives to take advantage of all the improvements as they occur.

There is volatility in the sales of high performance products. For example, the market for valves for fracking fluctuates considerably. The market for valves used in water intakes in plants is relatively steady.

The manufacturing location is typically important for general purpose products where freight costs and delivery time are more important than for high performance products.

Importance of Detailed and Current Forecasts: Very detailed forecasts are needed for general and high performance valves and pumps. Segmentation of high performance opportunities by critical, severe and unique is necessary in order to determine the profit potential.

This forecast will guide R&D and engineering efforts. In the case of general performance products the forecast will guide manufacturing investment.

Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Chinese lockdown the valve and pump markets are rapidly changing. So continuous forecasts are necessary.

The most profitable market can be a large number of small niches. IDEX is an example of a company with close to 30% EBITA and fairly large volume. However, the company consists of a number of independent divisions each pursuing unique niches. Identifying these profitable niches requires much more detailed market analysis than is typically pursued by valve and pump companies.

pic3

There are various levels of forecasting. The Total Available Market (TAM) includes all the opportunities whether or not they can be serviced and whether or not they are obtainable. The Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) reflects the market which can be pursued. However much of this market will not be very profitable. A much more detailed forecast is needed which analyzes all the niches and determines where the most profit can be achieved.

The ability to calculate any of 128 million niches relies on top down, bottoms up and horizontal iteration. It would be prohibitively expensive to conduct for just one category such as valves. But if the expense is diluted by including forecasts of equipment using valves plus complimentary air, water, energy products the cost for the valve analysis is reduced. 

A typical example would be a company of medium size who would be involved in 5000 niches or 3% of the TAM. With further segmentation in SOM the number expands to 15,000. The percentage drops to 2.

The most profitable market may involve 40,000 niches or just .03% of the total. If competitor market shares and sales quotas for territories are also included, the number can rise significantly.

This effort will be relatively expensive but as part of an evidence based sales program the benefits far outweigh the costs.

Evidence Based Strategy: The same evidence needed to select the most profitable market niches is also what is needed to convince purchasers in those niches that a product is superior.

This evidence includes understanding the process needs in each industry.

Once the most profitable market is determined, the evidence can be used to validate the lower total cost of ownership.

This requires analysis of the competitors’ products and determining the comparative costs.

There is a sequence to the evidence gathering process

  1. Raw data
  2. Predicate evidence
  3. Disputed evidence
  4. Claims based on the evidence
  5. Rebuttal to counter claims made by competitors

Suppliers have the opportunity to accomplish steps 2-5 in advertisements, magazine articles, exhibition activities, white papers and webinars.

It is not enough to prove the lower total cost of a product it is necessary to convince the customers with solid evidence. This is a challenge but a rewarding one with the potential to greatly increase revenues and EBITA.


The Role of Private Equity Firms

Knowledge will be the currency of the new realm. Those who can create an Industrial Internet of Wisdom will be the beneficiaries.  The cost of achieving this is best shared by multiple mid-sized companies with similar IIoW needs.

Private equity firms are routinely using their expertise to help guide portfolio companies. Providing an evidence based, forecast driven program will be a logical extension of present activities.

Examples

May River Capital

The firm is focused on pumps and points out that “Within the flow control industry, pumps constitute the second-largest industrial product category – behind motors – with an $80B+ global market size. The pump market is highly fragmented and populated by specialized companies with significant engineering content, product application-specific design, and strong margins. The abundance of small founder, family, and entrepreneur owned companies with under $50M in revenue makes for a compelling buy-and-build opportunity.”

May River Capital has been acquiring companies who will benefit from the same IIoW. Pump companies with complementary products and industries need the same knowledge about processes, industries, major purchasers, and important developments.

A company which can monitor leakage from pumps has considerable synergy. A company with enclosed conveyors has the monitoring needs and shares the same industry focus.

Industrial Flow Solutions (“IFS”) was formed to implement May River’s strategy of building a global flow control platform focused on wastewater pumps and IIoT controls solutions, including predicative maintenance and spill protection control.

The strategy was launched in 2017 with the acquisition of BJM Pumps and accelerated with the acquisitions of Stancor Pump & Control Solutions (2019), OverWatch Direct In-Line Pump Systems (2019), Clearwater Controls (2021), and Dreno Pompe (2022).

Industrial Flow Solutions goes to market through trade brands that preserve and build upon the original owner/operator identities: BJM Pumps®, Stancor®, Oil Minder®, DERAGGER™+, and Dreno Pompe. These brands are recognized throughout the wastewater industry for their problem-solving abilities and focus on severe service environments. IFS offers a comprehensive portfolio of electric submersible & direct in-line pumps and intelligent control and monitoring systems for industrial, commercial, and municipal wastewater applications.

May River Capital, recently acquired Unibloc Pump, a US manufacturer of positive displacement pumps, strainers, valves, bubble traps and other solutions for sanitary flow control applications.

Unibloc Pump is headquartered in Kennesaw, Georgia with a second facility in Beckum, Germany.

The company’s markets include the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, bakery and confection, meat and poultry, brewery, and transportation industries.

“Unibloc Pump is launching a new and exciting chapter with May River Capital,” says the Unibloc CEO. “May River’s approach to building business through collaboration is exactly what I was seeking as I looked ahead to the opportunities awaiting our company. We are pleased we’ve found a partner who values the engineering, skills, craftsmanship and most importantly, the culture we’ve nurtured here. This partnership will enable us to accelerate our growth initiatives and better serve our customers’ needs.”

Cross-selling across brands and geographies was implemented to optimize shared distribution channels. Detailed forecasts of the markets can then be used for each brand.

Dickson is a leading Test & Measurement compliance partner that develops environmental monitoring systems (temperature, humidity, pressure and other variables) to meet regulatory requirements and protect products for various markets including health services, pharmaceutical, medical devices, and food & beverage. 

In 2019, Dickson acquired Oceasoft, a European leader in environmental monitoring systems with a full suite of innovative solutions.

Dickson is very active selling monitoring to the cleanrooms in food and pharmaceutical applications. Glaxo Smith Kline is a client. All of these end users are also primary targets for Unibloc pumps.

Municipal wastewater water plants are notorious for releasing VOCs and creating major problems with odors.  Fugitive emissions due to leaking pumps can be one source. Monitoring is needed to pinpoint the leakage problems.

Automated Handling Solutions (AHS) is a leading provider of automation solutions, also provides specialized material handling equipment such as enclosed conveyor systems. AHS’ products serve customers in regulated end markets such as food and beverage, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, specialty chemical, and general industrial processing.

The effectiveness of the enclosure is related to environmental emissions. The effectiveness can be monitored by instruments such as made by Dickson.

These companies all have common interests. So, the sharing of relevant international data will be very useful.

Warburg Pincus

Warburg Pincus is a leading global private equity firm focused on thesis-driven growth investing at scale. With more than $80 billion in assets under management, the firm’s active portfolio of more than 245 companies is highly diversified by stage, sector and geography.

As an experienced partner to outstanding management teams, Warburg Pincus helps build durable companies with sustainable value. Warburg Pincus has raised 21 private equity funds and 2 real estate funds, which have invested more than $100 billion in over 1,000 companies in more than 40 countries.

Warburg cites the following advantages

  • Exclusive energy focus for over 35 years
  • Experienced team with single industry focus
  • Deep industry insight (These would be enhanced with the Evidence based program)
  • A partner to accomplished management teams
  • Building value by building companies
  • Broad industry network of key global relationships (can be integrated in to the IIOW)
  • Diversified exposure

All of these Warburg companies can benefit from the latest insights on the rapidly changing markets. With the energy focus there are new developments weekly. Many factors impact the various energy companies in the portfolio. For those producing oil and gas in the U.S. the challenge will be increased production.

For others the challenge is to help reduce energy consumption in Europe. An example is the boiler feedwater pump made by Sundyne. It is uniquely fitted for use in combined heat and power plants. With the shortage of natural gas in Europe the use of CHP will expand. Having an IIoW with this degree of granular insight is quite valuable.

Sundyne also makes compressors for hydrogen, CO2 and other gases which are now in high demand. There are often pumps and compressors in the same project. In fact, every compressor needs a lube pump. One way to iterate the lube pump market is to identify every compressor and turbine.

First Reserve

Trillium Flow Technologies, formerly Weir Flow Control (“WFC”), was sold to First Reserve, a leading global private equity investment firm exclusively focused on energy.


Trillium Flow Technologies consists of the same 15 established global pump and valve brands servicing the power generation, oil and gas, water and wastewater, mining, and industrial sectors. These include Sarasin-RSBD™, Blakeborough®, Atwood & Morrill®, Hopkinsons®, SEBIM™, BDK™, Batley Valve®, AutoTork™, and Tricentric® for valves, and Gabbionetta™, WSP™, WEMCO®, Roto-Jet®, Floway®, and Begeman® for pumps.
 

Trillium focuses on every stage of the process including design, installation, and operation utilizing its global footprint and supply chain, aftermarket parts and service, and seeks to provide unmatched responsiveness to demanding schedules.

First Reserve is a leading global private equity investment firm exclusively focused on energy. With over 38 years of industry insight, investment expertise and operational excellence, the Firm has cultivated an enduring network of global relationships and raised more than USD $32 billion of aggregate capital since inception.
  

First Reserve has completed over 700 transactions (including platform investments and add-on acquisitions), creating several notable energy companies throughout the Firm’s history.

Its portfolio companies have operated on six continents, spanning the energy spectrum from upstream oil and gas to midstream and downstream, including resources, equipment and services, and associated infrastructure.

First Reserve invests in targeted sectors throughout the energy industry through its Private Equity platform.


Venterra Group Plc, the offshore wind energy services business, announced that First Reserve has participated as a strategic investor in its third funding round since formation in early 2021. First Reserve is a leading global private equity investment firm exclusively focused on industrial, infrastructure, and energy businesses.

Venterra was formed to create a global services champion supporting the offshore wind industry’s rapid expansion and leading role in the energy transition. It is building a service offering across the windfarm lifecycle by a combination of acquisition and investment to generate accelerated growth in the fast-growing market.

The offshore wind market is indirectly important to Trillium because its success comes at the expense of pump and valve sales in oil and gas, So Trillum needs to know the market impact of offshore wind.


Audax

Audax says “Our mission is to partner with management teams and financial sponsors to build long term value in our companies.

Audax made a strategic growth investment in Flow Control Holdings ("FCH"S) a premier provider of sanitary flow components to producers of foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

FCH supplies highly engineered sanitary and high purity flow components (e.g. fittings, valves, hoses, pumps, and other components) for market-critical applications within the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries around the world.

The Company’s brands and products, including Steel & O’Brien and Ace Sanitary, encompass a broad assortment of highly engineered sanitary and high purity flow control components and services.

Liquid Environmental Solutions is a provider of non-hazardous liquid waste management and disposal services for the restaurant, hospitality, automotive, manufacturing, power plant, petrochemical and other industries, as well as environmental services companies. The waste disposal systems use valves and fittings and are used in the same industries as served by FCH.

Clearlake

Founded in 2006, Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is an investment firm operating integrated businesses. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with experienced management teams by providing patient, long term capital to dynamic businesses that can benefit from Clearlake’s operational improvement approach, O.P.S.® 

The firm’s core target sectors are technology, industrials, and consumer. Clearlake currently has over $72 billion of assets under management, and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 300 investments. The firm is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA with affiliates in Dallas, TX, London, UK and Dublin, Ireland.

Clearlake acquired a global pump and valve distribution company. So, sharing insights on the world markets in semiconductor, food and pharmaceuticals with other portfolio companies will be advantageous

FloWorks, a specialty flow control distribution platform backed by Clearlake Capital Group, has acquired SemiTorr Group, a specialty fluid handling systems and components distributor.

Founded in 1988 and based in Tualatin, Oregon, SemiTorr offers products and services to the high purity, sanitary and general industrials sectors. The Company’s family of products includes processing equipment, pumps, tubing, hoses, fittings, valves, filtration, and instrumentation, among others. SemiTorr provides end-to-end project management, including early-stage specifications, engineering, design, implementation and supply chain management.

SemiTorr has completed several acquisitions over the last seven years, expanding to 11 distribution centers across the U.S. in Oregon, California, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Together with SemiTorr, FloWorks will have over 40 branches globally, all strategically located in key markets to support customers focused on the chemical, sanitary, utility, refining semiconductor, microelectronics, life sciences, food & beverage, and general industrials end markets.

Summary

1. Midsized and small pump and valve companies will need to address the sea change primarily created by IIoT and Remote O&M and secondarily by international political instability.

2. Much of the potential EBITA opportunity will come from the sale of high performance products.

3. Success will depend on creating products with lower total cost of ownership in selected niches which will result in the greatest profits.

4. The millions of analyses needed for this effort will be made possible by utilizing all the available intelligence.

5. The cost of creating an internet of wisdom is beyond the means of a single mid-sized company,

6.  A private equity firm with a compatible portfolio is a logical solution to the cost sharing and collaboration needed to navigate this sea change.

ANALYSIS OF 400 PUMP AND VALVE COMPANY ACQUISITIONS

In the last 20 years Mcilvaine has compiled data on over 400 valve and pump company acquisitions.  All are included in the Mcilvaine Pump and Valve Market reports.  The information provided at the time of the acquisition is uniquely valuable. It often has the revenues, purchase price, and perceived strengths.  The information on 20 acquisitions by Tyco and now Emerson provides invaluable niche market insights. Clarkson was a leader in 30,000 gpm FGD knife gate slurry valves at the time of the acquisition. A current evaluation of the Emerson strength in this market is greatly enhanced with the acquisition information.

Here are some of the pump acquisitions and conclusions

http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/other-services/free-news/news-releases/47-uncategorised/news/1716-nr2702ere are some of the valve acquisitions and conc

Here are some of the valve company acquisition and conclusions

http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/other-services/free-news/news-releases/47-uncategorised/news/1717-nr2703

NEWS RELEASE                                                                                    September 2021

Large Growth in Air, Water, and Combustion Revenues in the Power Industry

Air, water, and combustion (AWC) product purchases for a wind or solar plant are small compared to those for  a coal plant. Since the projected capacity for wind and solar is large and  the projected  capacity increases for coal and nuclear plants are modest, it seems logical that the power AWC markets will be unattractive compared to other markets.

There are two reasons why the market will be attractive. The first is that it is a very large market presently. The second is that the net zero CO2 initiative will require technologies with higher AWC expenditures than present coal plants.

The International Energy Agency has set up a scenario to reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. 

McIlvaine has its own scenario with a higher reliance on biomass with carbon capture and sequestration ( BECCS).

pic1

The McIlvaine scenario would also end up with net zero CO2 in 2050 but with a different combination of fuels.

BECCS has twice the CO2 reduction impact of nuclear due to removal of CO2 from the air prior to burning and sequestration. Solar and wind have a smaller impact on a net CO2 reduction basis per GW due to their lower capacity factors.

pic2

The technologies to provide high capacity factor electricity such as nuclear, coal, BECCS, hydrogen and geothermal require lots of AWC Products. This is illustrated on a comparison per kW.

pic3

Markets and projects involving power plant AWC are covered in detail in McIlvaine publications.

The Utility Tracking System provides weekly project coverage along with profiles of thousands of AWC purchasers.

http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/databases/42ei-utility-tracking-system

There are market forecasts for instrumentation, pumps, valves, FGD, SCR, cross flow membranes, liquid microfiltration, fabric filters, precipitators, fans, and compressors described under  www.mcilvainecompany.com and then markets at the top of the page.

Bob McIlvaine can answer your questions at 847 226 2391.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Coronavirus Webinars

Free webinars are being conducted as part of a comprehensive program to help decision makers overcome COVID. They include insights from world experts and analysis of the latest technology.  The webinars are organized around three subject areas

1.  Masks and Other PPE (next webinar August 20, 2020)

2.  Filters and HVAC (next webinar September 10, 2020)

3. Other Technologies ranging from decontamination to monitoring (next webinar October 1, 2020)

In each of these three segments linked below you can view past webinars and register for the next one.  There are speaking opportunities with priority being given to subscribers to the service

Masks and Other PPE          Filters and HVAC           Other Technologies

 

 

Masks and other PPE Webinars

High Efficiency Mask Market and Supplier Program

The biggest new market in the history of filtration involves high efficiency masks to conquer COVID. New evidence points to these masks as the most important weapon in the arsenal.  A comprehensive program has detailed market forecasts and technology analysis to establish the true cost of each alternative.  Click here to view a video description or Click here for the power point display

August 20, 2020 - Mask Selection Webinar

This webinar includes a discussion  major issues in mask selection. It includes a presentation by Wendover Brown of Vogmask followed by a discussion with contributions from Abhisek Saha of UCSD, Christine Sun of  WFI, Kari Lukkonnen of Fibertex, and Vladimir Paserin of VPM Research.  The challenge is to balance  wearer protection and wearer transmission.  Due the mounting evidence that much of the transmission is airborne  the needs for wearer protection are becoming paramount..  This risk is further  exacerbated by evidence that cloth masks act as aerosol generators for cough droplets after initial capture.  More analysis needs to be done on this important phenomenon.  UCSD has been doing considerable research on droolet evaporation and will be investigating the virus fate from cough droplets on surfaces and in media subjected to continuous air flow.

Vogmask is balancing the needs for air pollution and COVID  protection .  This includes comfort considerations  with varying degrees of exertion.  A unique design under development is a lock for a valved mask.  This will provide flexibility to better balance the need.

Nanofibers offer an attractive alternative to meltblowns.  Kari  Lukkonnen answered some questions about performance and availability.   A number of new media options were discussed.  Bob Mcilvaine predicted a robust market for masks through 2025 based on increasing awareness of indoor and outdoor pollution threats,  the present viruses, the  delay in achieving a fully effective vaccine against COVID and the likelihood of new viruses or at least the threat of them.

To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/YHN49FOzJ5Q

July 24, 2020 - Abhishek Saha Interview on Droplet Travel

Abhishek Saha ,Assistant Professor at University of California San Diego, explained that modeling shows respiratory droplets from a cough or sneeze travel farther and last longer in humid, cold climates than in hot, dry ones. This is the conclusion of a study on droplet physics by an international team of engineers. The researchers incorporated this understanding of the impact of environmental factors on droplet spread into a new mathematical model that can be used to predict the early spread of respiratory viruses including COVID-19, and the role of respiratory droplets in that spread.

The team developed this new model to better understand the role that droplet clouds play in the spread of respiratory viruses. Their model is the first to be based on a fundamental approach taken to study chemical reactions called collision rate theory, which looks at the interaction and collision rates of a droplet cloud exhaled by an infected person with healthy people. Their work connects population-scale human interaction with their micro-scale droplet physics results on how far and fast droplets spread, and how long they last.

A second model is being developed to determine evaporated droplet nuclei spread.

Abhishek and Bob Mcilvaine then discussed how the model could be used to determine the small droplet and nuclei travel resulting from the initial capture of a large cough or sneeze droplet on the interior surface of a cloth mask. There was agreement of the likelihood that if the large droplet is initially captured in a mask with relatively large pores that small droplets may be generated by further exhalation along with evaporation. The group will be continuing their studies and would be open to funding to investigate this important phenomenon.

To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/F790vEfB4ws

July 23, 2020 - Interview with Mike Clark of Hollingsworth & Vose on filter media to vanquish COVID

Mike is Division President of High Efficiency and Specialty Filtration. This includes filters with higher than MERV 8 rating. Therefore the high efficiency filter efforts to vanquish COVID are within his group. His experience in cleanrooms provided perspective as he discussed the Mcilvaine concept of treating the world as one big cleanroom with internal space which has various cleanliness levels depending on the needs. Since H&V has products in the cleanest semiconductor and pharmaceutical space it can provide the highest levels of filter efficiency.

H&V manufactures filtration media for N95 respirators, ventilator filtration media and the materials used in surgical hoods. These are the products directly associated with healthcare. Recently it has been determined that much of the virus is transmitted in small aerosols. This means that air filter media in HVAC systems will be a major weapon in the battle H&V has a range of synthetic and microfiber glass media. Electrostatic charging is an option to improve performance for a relatively long period. For MERV 15 filter media for example Nanoweb and glass paper pressure drop is considerably less than standard media. Since upgrading the filtration efficiency of existing HVAC systems while minimizing any fan or HVAC system changes will be attractive the higher performance H&V media will have an advantage.

The company has manufacturing capabilities around the world. It has manufacturing and R&D facilities in China. Mike believes this Chinese capability is an asset. The company sells based on high quality and performance.

To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/7ZbONOv84pU

July 22, 2020 - Interview with Lloyd Armbrust on efficient masks to vanquish COVID

In this recorded interview Lloyd Armbrust, CEO of Armbrust American, describes his production and software background and his determination to help address the COVID problem.  He has set up a mask manufacturing facility in Austin Texas and is gearing up to produce up to 1.6 billion  highly efficient masks per year.   He already has 7 manufacturing lines in place and believes that within a few months he could expand to meet the goal.  He uses equipment which has short lead times such as Chinese Folders.  Much of the other equipment is domestically made and readily available.

He has his own meltblown manufacturing capability and is producing the 3 layer SMS media and  has his own electrostatic charging system.   He is able to achieve a high level of breathability while meeting the BFE requirements.  The electrostatic charge can last up to 24 hours. For this reason he believes that  inexpensive disposable masks are the best solution.

To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/4qN1rdBJAF4

July 15, 2020 - Interview with Markus Mϋller of Reicofil on meltblowns

Markus Müller is director of sales with the Reifenhäuser Group. On July 15, 2020 he was interviewed by Bob Mcilvaine and Ross Ardell of the Mcilvaine Company.

Reicofil is a major supplier of non woven production machinery.  It is currently supplying  one melt blown line per week and  one SMS composite line per month.  Although some melt blown lines have been built on an urgent basis in less than 4 months after order there is presently a substantial backlog of orders.

Markus explained the complexity in making meltblowns . “We’re talking about fibers where one filament has a diameter of less than one micron, so we are in the nano area,”  The media needs to be electrostatically charged.  If production is not executed properly this charge can be dissipated.  The big challenge is ensuring the uniformity in the media but other aspects such as avoiding oil droplet contamination from compressors are also needed.  To insure that the plants are designed to conform with customer needs there is a dedicated manager assigned to each project. A remote center can advise customers relative to the machines once they are in operation. Markus points to failures in meltblown production in China and elsewhere as examples of the difficulty in successfully designing and operating these plants.

In summary electrostatically charged meltblown media in masks  is a unique way to achieve capture of small virus particles without excessive pressure drop and reduction in breathability. Reicofil is dedicated to providing the machinery to make meltblowns  as well as composite media .  Due to the new proof that much of the virus transmission is from small aerosols, the demand for masks with the higher efficiency supplied by meltblowns is exceeding supply. However Reicofil is making a maximum effort  to address this need with machinery and processes which  will provide reliable products.

To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/4Q9fr9LX9KQ

June 18, 2020 Mask Policy Webinar is the Basis for Future Analysis and Discussion

This webinar was originally slated as three five-minute speeches and then a one-hour discussion based on a slide deck covering the mask selection issues. Due to the high quality and interest in the three presentations the discussion continued for more than one hour. Bob McIlvaine then provided a 30-minute overview in a separate recording.

To view the three speeches and discussions click here: https://youtu.be/lwVpSB7mkHk

The agenda is displayed at: http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/images/2020-06-18_Webinar/Agenda_for_Mask_Policy_06-18-20.pdf

The presenter power points are also posted.

Wendover Brown Vogmask: http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/images/2020-06-18_Webinar/Covid-19_Tech_Solutions_PPT_Vogmask.pdf

Jerry Fan, Mogul: http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/images/2020-06-18_Webinar/Madaline-face_mask_application.pdf

Jayesh Doshi, eSpin: http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/images/2020-06-18_Webinar/Mcilvaine_MASK%20Webinar_06182020Reduced.pdf

The overview by Bob McIlvaine can be viewed here:  http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/images/2020-06-18_Webinar/Mask_Webinar_06-18-20.pdf

Bobs overview recording can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/t38NEZteqgM

A background analysis reviewing all the factors is found at  Mask Policy Review

June 11, 2020 - Foot Sanitizer Provides Major Reduction in COVID Transmission

Since our earlier webinar with with PathO3Gen Solutions  there have been many more examples of foot sanitizers reducing pathogrens. Hospitals are quantifying the reduction of HAI including coronavirus with sanitizers placed at main entrances and to sensitive areas such as compounding pharmacies. Charlie Rodriguez and Robyn Collins explained why a combination of ozone and UV light makes a foot sanitizer very effective for reducing infections. The sanitizer is finding used in cleanrooms, food manufacturing, restaurants and other facilities To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/2k1_pB21wKw

April 23, 2020 - Hospital Masks and Air Filtration

This webinar hosted by Waterloo Filtration Institute included presentations by 5 people.  Tom Justice explained that Hospital HVAC systems are often inadequate and room air purifiers are being employed in Chinese hospitals even in non-critical areas.  Bob Burkhead explained that an N95 mask is tested on 0.1 micron particles and not 0.3 microns.  So, its efficiency in removing viruses is higher than indicated by the rating.  Peter Tsai reported tests which show that electrostatically charged masks retain efficiency when cleaned with H202 or modest heat.  Bob Mcilvaine reviewed the large variance in market projections based on variables which are as yet unclear.  Masks and filters rather than social distancing are the safest route for return to semi normal life. Stephen Nicholas reported on efficiency requirements for health care facilities which include Merv 14 or HEPA designs for many areas. Gajanan Bhat addressed the subject of face mask media including new membrane developments.

https://a4ab8fba-ca84-491c-aeb8-6ed7eb13ca9f.filesusr.com/ugd/f92d3a_c9f1bb92e781456caae19d15f35e0746.pdf

April 17, 2020 - Nanofiber membranes for masks will be more efficient, comfortable, and available

Mcilvaine publishes daily Coronavirus Market Alerts.  This analysis covers nanofiber membrane mask information appearing in the Alerts from April 3 through April 14.  Nanofiber membrane media for masks has the following advantages: (1) it is more efficient and can capture more viruses (2) it has lower pressure drop than the typical N95 mask with meltblowns (e) the media is readily available for production where as melt blown media is in short supply. Cummins and Dupont have teamed to provide masks using Dupont membrane technology.  The U.S army research shows a large number of potential media suppliers. Fibertex and HyFiber are also su0ppliers.  Several Chinese companies are making masks with membrane media and have demonstrated high efficiency after 10 washings.  Purafil has an anti microbial fiber. Wallace Leung provided an update on nanofiber mask research in Hong Kong.  To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/4vzWwNw6Al4

April 8, 2020 - Coronavirus Market Intelligence

Suppliers of filters, media, masks, instrumentation, and destruction technology are faced with short term decisions with long term consequences when pursuing the market created by COVID-19. The rapid changes in the market dictate continuous and accurate forecasting. This service meets these urgent needs with Daily Alerts, continually updated forecasts of the markets impacted by the coronavirus plus analysis of the technology. Continually updated forecasts are provided for masks, air filters, filter media, decontamination and monitoring.  To view this YouTube recording click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKEDhzUJyk4&feature=youtu.be

April 2, 2020 - Mask Design and Reuse

Five world experts from three countries made presentations regarding new filter media using nanofibers with higher efficiency and other advantages over the traditional spun bond/ meltblown laminate combination. Ways to efficiently decontaminate and reuse masks using H2O2 and UV torches were also examined. The present and future production of mask media in China and other countries was also covered. View this 100 minute webinar at: https://youtu.be/V2oEX0PgnTg

March 26, 2020 - Coronavirus Masks, Filters and Decontamination

Important issues such as virus airborne transmission and size were discussed by several experts. New filter media technology for masks which is more efficient than SMS was examined. Trends toward stylish N95 masks in China were reviewed. The need for room air purifiers in apartment buildings with sick tenants was also addressed.  To view this YouTube recording click here:  https://youtu.be/MttSotStbyE

March 13, 2020 - Face Masks and Respirators World Market

Presentation by McIlvaine analysts on the revenue increases caused by the pandemic. To view this YouTube recording click here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz6Y3pJSmcI

March 13, 2020 Air Filtration and Purification World Markets with Coronavirus Supplement

The coronavirus will radically change the short term air filter market but will also have a major long term effect. More efficient filters will be installed at existing facilities and there will be many new applications and technology.  To view this YouTube recording click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b182d30y9SE&feature=youtu.be

 

 

 

Filters and HVAC Webinars

Air Filter Market and Supplier Program

A big investment in high efficiency filters and room air purifiers will be the best way to fight COVID.  A comprehensive program has detailed market forecasts and technology analysis to establish the true cost of each alternative.  Click here to view a video description or Click here for the power point display.

September 10, 2020 - Filters and HVAC Choices to Mitigate COVID

This 90 minute webinar covered  choices to filter the air in buildings and vehicles using the most cost effective products and technologies. The benefits include protection from air pollutants as well as viruses.  Christine Sun of Waterloo Filtration Institute outlined  the potential benefits. Bob Mcilvaine provided evidence that most COVID transmission is through small aerosols.  Some of these aerosols are generated when larger droplets are only temporarily captured by inefficient masks and filters.

Bob Burkhead of Blue Heaven Technologies then described the testing rig which could be adapted to test filter efficiency over time  and not just measure what is temporarily captured.  This rig allows recirculation of up to 1000 cfm and can measure degradation of meltblown media over time, ozone levels when ionizers are utilized, and other contaminants which need to be assessed over time. Barry Kellar, Saru Dawar, and Uwe Haffner of Freudenberg talked about the needs in vehicles where conditions are rapidly changing. The company is addressing the potential for aerosols generated from surfaces as well as directly from people and has an efficient filtration system which includes a surface layer of a proprietary citric acid compound which  inactivates the virus.  Freudenberg recognizes the role of very fine particles (smaller than 0.3 microns) and is looking at capture rates on activated carbon due to diffusion.  There was a brief discussion on the potential to spray citric acid in the vehicle interior similar to the Purdue concept of spraying food dyes into classrooms.  Bob Mcilvaine then summarized market aspects  such as the much higher efficiency of H13 filters than MERV 16 in capturing small particles and virus.  The decision on which product to choose is enhanced by a value system which takes into account lives saved and sickness reduced compared to the economic and life quality costs.

To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/kmtLmYYLuqw

To view PowerPoint Slides Click here: http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/images/Air_Filter_Webinar_2020-09-10.pdf

August 5, 2020 - Safe Buildings Interview with Tyler Smith of Johnson Controls

Tyler is General Manager - Controls Specialty Products at Johnson Controls and is in a unique position to evaluate ways to keep buildings safe. When Mcilvaine cited the impressive Johnson Controls program at a Wuhan hospital Tyler cited this as an example of the world wide reach and the ability to quickly deliver in an emergency.  Later on in the interview Tyler introduced the subject of schools in the U.S. which are now trying to open but in many ways are experiencing  the same level of urgency and need  the Wuhan hospitals did in January.

Tyler cited the value of focusing on those who are speaking and therefore potentially generating more virus than others.  This differs by grade level.   Johnson Controls has room air purifiers which can be an immediate solution. ENVIRCO fan filter units are another option for obtaining HEPA filtered downflow air economically covering a space.  This is in addition to the following

  • MERV 13 filters have been found to be of sufficient efficiency for many applications.  However, through its Koch Filter division Johnson Controls offers higher efficiency filters through HEPA.
  • York Air Handling Units: To reduce airborne pathogens within a building, mixed-air HVAC systems should focus on increasing outdoor air ventilation. York air handling units allow customers to maximize outside air to displace contaminated air and increase ventilation and air change rates.
  • Critical Environment Controls: Room pressurization, air change rates, humidity, and temperature are equally as important components in reducing airborne contaminants and preventing cross contamination within schools and buildings as they once were just for the healthcare and laboratory facilities. The Johnson Controls line of Critical Environment Controls includes the broadest suite of products in the industry.
  • UV-C Lighting: Disinfectant lighting solutions are necessary to reduce pathogens both on surfaces and in the air. Johnson Controls offers a comprehensive suite of disinfecting lighting products, including retrofit options to keep facility disruptions and installation costs to a minimum. Bipolar ionization is another technology which is being evaluated presently.

By integrating HVAC, lighting and security systems into a single digital platform like Johnson Controls Metasys® building automation system, building owners and operators can easily troubleshoot issues and implement system changes.

Tyler pointed out that the system can provide the right balance between energy consumption and safety. In areas with higher virus loads more efficient filters can be utilized and the number of air changes can be increased. More outside air can be used to dilute the virus load.  But this brings up the subject of the contaminant burden in outside vs indoor air. In polluted areas the particulate load from outside air will be significant.

The advantage which schools and building owners experience with Johnson  Controls is the local assistance from  120 branch  locations in North America with 13,600 field technicians and mechanics.

To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/6D-bu3MZ5bQ

July 23, 2020 - Interview with Mike Clark of Hollingsworth & Vose on filter media to vanquish COVID

Mike is Division President of High Efficiency and Specialty Filtration. This includes filters with higher than MERV 8 rating. Therefore the high efficiency filter efforts to vanquish COVID are within his group. His experience in cleanrooms provided perspective as he discussed the Mcilvaine concept of treating the world as one big cleanroom with internal space which has various cleanliness levels depending on the needs. Since H&V has products in the cleanest semiconductor and pharmaceutical space it can provide the highest levels of filter efficiency.

H&V manufactures filtration media for N95 respirators, ventilator filtration media and the materials used in surgical hoods. These are the products directly associated with healthcare. Recently it has been determined that much of the virus is transmitted in small aerosols. This means that air filter media in HVAC systems will be a major weapon in the battle H&V has a range of synthetic and microfiber glass media. Electrostatic charging is an option to improve performance for a relatively long period. For MERV 15 filter media for example Nanoweb and glass paper pressure drop is considerably less than standard media. Since upgrading the filtration efficiency of existing HVAC systems while minimizing any fan or HVAC system changes will be attractive the higher performance H&V media will have an advantage.

The company has manufacturing capabilities around the world. It has manufacturing and R&D facilities in China. Mike believes this Chinese capability is an asset. The company sells based on high quality and performance.

To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/7ZbONOv84pU

July 15, 2020 - qlAir interviewed on holistic approach to providing clean air solutions for COVID

Ellie Amirnasr and Marcel Schoch are spearheading a holistic approach to provide clean air as a service.  The new requirement to address COVID makes this effort even more important. qlAir is an entity within  Mann + Hummel .  The company name is pronounced as Claire.

The holistic approach includes sensors and monitoring, problem identification solutions, and then continuing evaluation of the effectiveness of the solution . A big potential for balancing air quality management, equipment maintenance and energy savings lies within broader use of sensors, data analytics and IoT (Internet of Things). Continuous air quality monitoring can be used to identify critical areas and patterns in indoor air quality and to select appropriate mitigation solutions. Combined with tracking and analyzing filter performance over time and the usage of an optimized ventilation schedule based on real data.

Ellie and Marcel explained how measurement of particles, CO2, humidity and other air constituents can be the basis for providing COVID mitigaton solutions which balance effectiveness and cost.  The use of the approach in a mall was discussed. The degree of social distancing and the percentage of outside air in a given space can be determined based on CO2 content. An actual case history in a hospital was used as an example.  The problem was VOC reduction but the approach would be the same for COVID minimization.

To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/T0HJF5MVDU0

July 9, 2020 - Interview with Nathaniel Nance of AAF Flanders on COVID mitigation with a holistic air treatment concept

Nathaniel Nance is now AAF Flanders Vice President of Global R&D-HVAC.  He has been with AAF Flanders since 2008.  He was interviewed by Bob Mcilvaine and Ross Ardell from the Mcilvaine Company.  Nathaniel espouses a holistic concept which encourages collaboration among filtration experts, universities, HVAC companies, contractors, regulators and local governments to mitigate COVID and improve the air we breathe.  He points out that a glass of dirty air and a glass of clean air look the same. What we do not see are the range of pollutants which exist.  COVID adds to the challenge.  There are good, better and best filter options at every efficiency level.  The best have the lowest energy consumption and longest life.  Membranes have efficiency and strength advantages over micro fiber glass.  He calls for a city wide filtration concept to harness the local winds.  As part of Daikin, the largest air conditioning company in the world, AAF Flanders is in a unique position to provide holistic answers.
To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/3nqNhOwBHuQ

May 1, 2020 - CRI Fan Filter Units for Hospitals and Industry

Tim Werkema and Bret Asper of Cleanrooms International discussed the recent activity in converting hospital rooms to negative pressure isolation units using their fan filter units. The units are supplied with wheels for convenient temporary installation.  They can be used without ductwork or with a duct through the wall or a window to the outside. The units have variable speed drives and air flow can be controlled.  The company was able to meet the sudden demand by hospitals for thousands of these units.  The 2 ft x 4 ft HEPA filter is efficient at removing viruses.   The company is equipped to meet the rising demand in meat processing and other industries as well as in healthcare.  To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/Bm3_Q0a0r2E 

April 23, 2020 - Hospital Masks and Air Filtration

This webinar hosted by Waterloo Filtration Institute included presentations by 5 people.  Tom Justice explained that Hospital HVAC systems are often inadequate and room air purifiers are being employed in Chinese hospitals even in non-critical areas.  Bob Burkhead explained that an N95 mask is tested on 0.1 micron particles and not 0.3 microns.  So, its efficiency in removing viruses is higher than indicated by the rating.  Peter Tsai reported tests which show that electrostatically charged masks retain efficiency when cleaned with H202 or modest heat.  Bob Mcilvaine reviewed the large variance in market projections based on variables which are as yet unclear.  Masks and filters rather than social distancing are the safest route for return to semi normal life. Stephen Nicholas reported on efficiency requirements for health care facilities which include Merv 14 or HEPA designs for many areas. Gajanan Bhat addressed the subject of face mask media including new membrane developments.

https://a4ab8fba-ca84-491c-aeb8-6ed7eb13ca9f.filesusr.com/ugd/f92d3a_c9f1bb92e781456caae19d15f35e0746.pdf

April 17, 2020 - Nanofiber membranes for masks will be more efficient, comfortable, and available

Mcilvaine publishes daily Coronavirus Market Alerts.  This analysis covers nanofiber membrane mask information appearing in the Alerts from April 3 through April 14.  Nanofiber membrane media for masks has the following advantages: (1) it is more efficient and can capture more viruses (2) it has lower pressure drop than the typical N95 mask with meltblowns (e) the media is readily available for production where as melt blown media is in short supply. Cummins and Dupont have teamed to provide masks using Dupont membrane technology.  The U.S army research shows a large number of potential media suppliers. Fibertex and HyFiber are also su0ppliers.  Several Chinese companies are making masks with membrane media and have demonstrated high efficiency after 10 washings.  Purafil has an anti microbial fiber. Wallace Leung provided an update on nanofiber mask research in Hong Kong.  To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/4vzWwNw6Al4

April 8, 2020 - Coronavirus Market Intelligence

Suppliers of filters, media, masks, instrumentation, and destruction technology are faced with short term decisions with long term consequences when pursuing the market created by COVID-19. The rapid changes in the market dictate continuous and accurate forecasting. This service meets these urgent needs with Daily Alerts, continually updated forecasts of the markets impacted by the coronavirus plus analysis of the technology. Continually updated forecasts are provided for masks, air filters, filter media, decontamination and monitoring.  To view this YouTube recording click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKEDhzUJyk4&feature=youtu.be

April 2, 2020 - Mask Design and Reuse

Five world experts from three countries made presentations regarding new filter media using nanofibers with higher efficiency and other advantages over the traditional spun bond/ meltblown laminate combination. Ways to efficiently decontaminate and reuse masks using H2O2 and UV torches were also examined. The present and future production of mask media in China and other countries was also covered. View this 100 minute webinar at: https://youtu.be/V2oEX0PgnTg

March 26, 2020 - Coronavirus Masks, Filters and Decontamination

Important issues such as virus airborne transmission and size were discussed by several experts. New filter media technology for masks which is more efficient than SMS was examined. Trends toward stylish N95 masks in China were reviewed. The need for room air purifiers in apartment buildings with sick tenants was also addressed.  To view this YouTube recording click here:  https://youtu.be/MttSotStbyE

March 13, 2020 Air Filtration and Purification World Markets with Coronavirus Supplement

The coronavirus will radically change the short term air filter market but will also have a major long term effect. More efficient filters will be installed at existing facilities and there will be many new applications and technology.  To view this YouTube recording click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b182d30y9SE&feature=youtu.be

 

 

 

Other Technologies Webinars

The next Other Technologies webinar is scheduled for 10:00am CDT October 1, 2020.  To register click here

This webinar will continue the analysis created in previous webinars which you can view below

June 11, 2020 - Foot Sanitizer Provides Major Reduction in COVID Transmission

Since our earlier webinar with with PathO3Gen Solutions there have been many more examples of foot sanitizers reducing pathogrens. Hospitals are quantifying the reduction of HAI including coronavirus with sanitizers placed at main entrances and to sensitive areas such as compounding pharmacies. Charlie Rodriguez and Robyn Collins explained why a combination of ozone and UV light makes a foot sanitizer very effective for reducing infections. The sanitizer is finding used in cleanrooms, food manufacturing, restaurants and other facilities To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/2k1_pB21wKw

April 23, 2020 - Hospital Masks and Air Filtration

This webinar hosted by Waterloo Filtration Institute included presentations by 5 people.  Tom Justice explained that Hospital HVAC systems are often inadequate and room air purifiers are being employed in Chinese hospitals even in non-critical areas.  Bob Burkhead explained that an N95 mask is tested on 0.1 micron particles and not 0.3 microns.  So, its efficiency in removing viruses is higher than indicated by the rating.  Peter Tsai reported tests which show that electrostatically charged masks retain efficiency when cleaned with H202 or modest heat.  Bob Mcilvaine reviewed the large variance in market projections based on variables which are as yet unclear.  Masks and filters rather than social distancing are the safest route for return to semi normal life. Stephen Nicholas reported on efficiency requirements for health care facilities which include Merv 14 or HEPA designs for many areas. Gajanan Bhat addressed the subject of face mask media including new membrane developments.

https://a4ab8fba-ca84-491c-aeb8-6ed7eb13ca9f.filesusr.com/ugd/f92d3a_c9f1bb92e781456caae19d15f35e0746.pdf

April 17, 2020 - Nanofiber membranes for masks will be more efficient, comfortable, and available

Mcilvaine publishes daily Coronavirus Market Alerts.  This analysis covers nanofiber membrane mask information appearing in the Alerts from April 3 through April 14.  Nanofiber membrane media for masks has the following advantages: (1) it is more efficient and can capture more viruses (2) it has lower pressure drop than the typical N95 mask with meltblowns (e) the media is readily available for production where as melt blown media is in short supply. Cummins and Dupont have teamed to provide masks using Dupont membrane technology.  The U.S army research shows a large number of potential media suppliers. Fibertex and HyFiber are also su0ppliers.  Several Chinese companies are making masks with membrane media and have demonstrated high efficiency after 10 washings.  Purafil has an anti microbial fiber. Wallace Leung provided an update on nanofiber mask research in Hong Kong.  To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/4vzWwNw6Al4

April 8, 2020 - Coronavirus Market Intelligence

Suppliers of filters, media, masks, instrumentation, and destruction technology are faced with short term decisions with long term consequences when pursuing the market created by COVID-19. The rapid changes in the market dictate continuous and accurate forecasting. This service meets these urgent needs with Daily Alerts, continually updated forecasts of the markets impacted by the coronavirus plus analysis of the technology. Continually updated forecasts are provided for masks, air filters, filter media, decontamination and monitoring.  To view this YouTube recording click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKEDhzUJyk4&feature=youtu.be

April 2, 2020 - Mask Design and Reuse

Five world experts from three countries made presentations regarding new filter media using nanofibers with higher efficiency and other advantages over the traditional spun bond/ meltblown laminate combination. Ways to efficiently decontaminate and reuse masks using H2O2 and UV torches were also examined. The present and future production of mask media in China and other countries was also covered. View this 100 minute webinar at: https://youtu.be/V2oEX0PgnTg

March 26, 2020 - Coronavirus Masks, Filters and Decontamination

Important issues such as virus airborne transmission and size were discussed by several experts. New filter media technology for masks which is more efficient than SMS was examined. Trends toward stylish N95 masks in China were reviewed. The need for room air purifiers in apartment buildings with sick tenants was also addressed.  To view this YouTube recording click here:  https://youtu.be/MttSotStbyE

March 24, 2020 - Foot Sanitizer for Cost Effective HAI and COVID-19 Reduction

A discussion with PathO3Gen Solutions executives relative to the reduction of HAI including coronavirus at hospitals, pharmaceutical, food manufacturers as well as public places. Charlie Rodriguez and Robyn Collins explained why a combination of ozone and UV light makes a foot sanitizer very effective for reducing infections.  To view this YouTube recording click here: https://youtu.be/qxcnV7Z6I9g

 

Continuously Updated Contacts at Facilities Needing COVID Protection

Meat Processing Plants with COVID Outbreaks

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Healthcare Architects and Planners

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NEWS RELEASE                                                                                     March 2020

Webinar on Coronavirus Mask Reuse

McIlvaine will hold a webinar on April 2 to discuss and debate the issues relative to N95 mask reuse. Participation will be limited to 25 people, but the session will be recorded, and all registrants will receive the recording.  Selection will be based on a first come first served basis. The session will take place at 10:AM CDT on Thursday April 2, 2020.  To register         

https://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php?option=com_rsform&view=rsform&formId=84

McIlvaine is holding one or more webinars per week on the crisis. Last week, in an 80-minute discussion, mitigation suppliers considered initiatives which would allow business to function while workers were kept safe. This discussion can be viewed at  https://youtu.be/MttSotStbyE

Wearing of appropriately sterilized and functional N95 masks is a matter of life and death. Unfortunately, the shortage is already responsible for many deaths including in wealthy countries such as the U.S. In fact, the wealthiest countries with the cleanest air are at a disadvantage compared to countries such as China where masks are routinely worn due to pollution levels.

Whereas China has ramped up medical mask production from 20 million to 200 million per day N95 mask production has only increased from 200,000 to 1.8 million per day.  Worldwide production is less than 3 million.  There is a need to protect hundreds of millions of people. It is impossible to ramp up production to meet demand if each mask is only worn for one risky encounter.  On the other hand, if masks could be safely reused 50 times and world production ramped up to 6 million per day there would be sufficient numbers for 300 million people.

The need is urgent in Spain, Italy, the U.S. and many other countries. An immediate solution is necessary.  Fortunately, that solution is now available and commercial. It is simply a matter of employing it now and improving it over time.

Meeting the need

Duke University is successfully employing hydrogen peroxide vaporization to disinfect 500 masks in a 4-hour period.  They are pursuing methods to increase capacity and efficiency.  A 24-hour operation would disinfect 3000 per day.  If the need is to protect an additional 5 million health care workers in critical environments then we need 1700-5100 of such facilities depending on the number of uses per day. Many workers need three sanitized masks per day.

There are many disinfection systems employed in cleanrooms around the world. The production of an additional 1700 could be done quickly and in time to meet some of the urgent needs. It is conceivable that certain cleanroom disinfection operations could be temporarily repurposed to provide sterilization.  In fact, the Duke Hospitals are using a decontamination system in their research facility.

Choosing the best technology

The University of Nebraska Medical Center recently published their procedure for the disinfection of N95 masks using ClorDiSys’ Torch UV Disinfection System. So, there are at least two approaches which are now disinfecting masks cost effectively.

In a paper published in the journal Annals of Occupational Hygiene in 2009, researchers compared and contrasted different methods for sterilizing N95 masks, many of which destroyed the virus but were not good ideas in terms of damage to the masks or practicality of large scale use:

  • Heat in an oven for 30 minutes at 58 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius)
  • Use ultraviolet light for 30 minutes
  • Soak the mask in 75% ethyl alcohol, then let it dry
  • Clean the mask with liquid or vapor hydrogen peroxide
  • Clean the mask with bleach
  • Steam the mask with hot vapor from boiling water
  • Microwave the mask
  • Use extreme heat in an oven or autoclave
  • Soak in soap and water

There are many cost-effective technologies being used in biopharmaceutical cleanrooms. Two experts with decades of experience in biopharmaceutical decontamination will be joining the discussion on Thursday.

Mask design

If masks are going to be reusable, then the mask and media suppliers have the opportunity to redesign their products to maximize the performance under these new conditions.  There are two main considerations:

  • Create a mask which can be sterilized the maximum number of times without deterioration
  • Create a mask with better performance than is justified for a disposable product

Let’s assume that a mask which is more comfortable with less resistance and higher efficiency can be developed.  If it could be used 100 times it could sell for $75 and still be no more costly than a 75-cent disposable version.  The media area is important due to resistance but also cost.  A 50% increase in media could easily be justified in a reusable mask but not in a disposable one.

There are opportunities for immediate development and supply of masks using more efficient media. Using nanofibers or membranes the efficiency of the N95 can be upgraded to N100 and at the same time making the mask more comfortable with less resistance. Some reusable masks are now in production which are washable. Because they do not rely on electrostatic attraction, they can remain efficient for 20 washings. There are many other innovations which will be made possible by making masks reusable. They will be explored in this and future sessions.

The webinar is free to everyone. The program for suppliers is Coronavirus Market Intelligence

Click here for more information

If you have questions or would like to present data during the webinar contact Bob McIlvaine at 847 226 2391 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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