
What is A MicroClimateTM
A microclimate refers to a small, distinct area within a larger manufacturing environment that maintains its own controlled atmospheric conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and air quality. These specialized zones are designed to protect sensitive products and processes from contaminants and environmental fluctuations, ensuring consistent quality and compliance with industry standards.
Why Industrial Cleanrooms and Microclimates
Rather than building the full production line in an expensive clean room, Microclimates are a local solution to deliver clean room air quality on the required locations. The location choice can protect the products produced, the production equipment and most importantly the operators.
No matter what kind of controlled environment and industry you’re working within, maintaining a safe and productive cleanroom is absolutely essential to your daily operations and reputation.


Technical benefits of Microclimates
Microclimates are small, separate areas within a larger surrounding manufacturing site that has it’s own atmospheric condition. The area may contain a few square meters or a whole room or hall. Advantages of well-designed microclimates at Industrial sites include:
- A reduction of capital expenses compared to classical clean rooms.
- In combination with necessary fume and dust collection (source elimination), the Microclimate reduces the concentration of fumes, prior to forming Ultra Fine Dust and condensing Aerosols. After validating Microclimate is built, a direct correlation between the ISO class (air quality) of the Microclimate and the number of surface defects of the product is confirmed.
- Proactive modeling determines the required Microclimate ventilation-rate in combination with the optimal operating temperature (equally distributed). This results in a locally balanced air distribution with a significant lower air consumption as normal clean rooms. This results in reduced energy consumption and improved economics.
10 Interesting facts of Industrial Microclimates
- Visible indoor air particles constitute only about 10% of particles present in indoor air.
- It may be possible to see particles as small as 10 microns under favorable conditions.
- The majority of harmful particles are 3 microns or less in size.
- Particles of 1 micron or less adhere to surfaces by molecular adhesion. Scrubbing is generally the only way to remove them.
- Larger particles tend to settle out of the atmosphere due to weight.
- Smaller, “respirable” particles remain virtually suspended in the air until breathed in.
- Approximately 98-99% of all particles by count are in the size range of 5 microns or less. These particles tend to remain in suspension or settle out so slowly.
- To guarantee controlled product quality and reduced product reject rates, Microclimates are an economic solution. The MC combines direct fume/ dust collection (source elimination) and secondary fume/dust displacement, replacing the extracted air with absolute filtered and conditioned air, providing local air balance.
- The Microclimate consists of internal lighting and roller curtains, to isolate the area from production, and to provide optimal access and ergonomics.
- Microclimates can be applied on different parts of the production line, with different ISO classes, rating from ISO 8 to ISO 6, and advanced air conditioning (e.g. low humidity air) to fit the different functions of the production line.
Additional Benefits of effective industrial Microclimates
When designing new or updating existing Microclimates, there are additional benefits to be achieved:
- Improving line stability (feeding / vacuum).
- Reduced damage to process equipment (e.g. rolls).
- Minimized Surface defects.
- Increase product quality.
- Realized material upgrade.
- Reduced operational costs.
- Reduction in the number of line stops (downtime).
- Indoorclimate solutions are able to optimize thermal comfort much more effectively than radiators. They achieve better vertical temperature equilibrium in indoor space thanks to their design, which aligns with human body preferences.
- Operator health and satisfaction.
- Sufficient cooling capacity: DT of 5 to 10 ºC.
- Ability to create local optimized conditions around heat sources (energy recovery).
- Integrated in the existing HVAC installation.
MicroClimateTM FAQ
In ISO standards, a cleanroom is a controlled environment designed to maintain low levels of airborne particles, microorganisms, and contaminants, classified according to the ISO 14644-1 standard. Cleanrooms are categorized from ISO Class 1 (extremely clean) to ISO Class 9 (least clean), based on the concentration and size of particles per cubic meter of air, ensuring the required level of cleanliness for sensitive manufacturing processes.
Cleanrooms are controlled environments with specific air quality, temperature, and humidity standards, using HEPA filters, positive air pressure, and strict protocols to minimize contamination, ensuring compliance for critical industries.
ISO 7 is cleaner and more controlled than ISO 8, allowing fewer particles per cubic meter and stricter air quality standards. It is better suited for sensitive processes requiring higher precision, while ISO 8 is typically adequate for less critical operations. The choice depends on the level of contamination control needed for the application.
The ISO 7 standard for cleanrooms, defined by ISO 14644-1, limits airborne particle concentrations to a maximum of 352,000 particles per cubic meter for particles ≥0.5 µm and 2,930 particles per cubic meter for particles ≥5 µm. These cleanrooms typically require 30-60 air changes per hour using HEPA filtration to maintain cleanliness. Positive air pressure, strict control of temperature and humidity, and the use of cleanroom garments help prevent contamination. ISO 7 cleanrooms are widely used in industries like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices where precise environmental control is essential.