UV Air Purifier Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Emerging trend in UV LED technology - Advanced UV lighting technologies are used in air purifiers to consume minimal power and generate reduced heat.  Manufacturers are utilizing these advanced technologies in UV LED to launch more effective and affordable products. For instance, in June 2022, ams-OSRAM AG announced the use of high-performance OSLON UV 3636 UV-C LEDs by Taiwan-based Ledtech to reduce bacteria, airborne viruses, and fungi from the air. UV-C LEDs work along with active carbon filters to purify air in offices, homes, and public buildings.
• Increasing regulatory measures to improve air quality –Several governments across the globe are implementing new stringent regulations and standards to improve product performance. These standards specify the performance requirements and test procedures for air purifiers. For instance, the United States Department of Energy in April 2023, established a new energy conservation standard for air cleaners in the Federal Register.  In addition, the government of India made ISI mark mandatory for all air purifiers, due to the rising quality concerns. By adhering to ISI quality standards, Indian manufacturers can ensure that their air purifiers are reliable and safe for consumers.
• Prevalence of chronic diseases among the elderly population- The aging population tends to have a higher prevalence of chronic diseases such as asthma, and chronic pulmonary diseases (COPD) due to constant exposure to poor-quality air. As per a study in May 2024 by the Council of Aging, around 95% of adults in the U.S. aged 60 and above have at least one chronic condition. This has resulted in growing inclination towards advanced air purifiers.

Challenges

• High processing cost - The UV lamps and bulbs used in air purifiers need to be changed frequently, which can be expensive. The lifespan of UV lamps and bulbs varies across manufacturers but usually, they need to be replaced once a year as its detoxification ability gradually diminishes over time. In addition, the overall cost of UV air purifier operations increases with the growing cost of the electricity required to power these devices.
• Rising concerns related to air purifier efficiency – Many UV air purifiers lack the ability to remove multiple types of contaminants such as pollen, dust, and other minute pathogens from the air. This has resulted in rising concerns about its efficacy among consumers.  Moreover, UV air purifiers generate heat that turns the molecules of water, and oxygen into dangerous ground-level ozone.  As a result, consumers looking for efficient air filtering solutions, find UV air purifiers less appealing.