No glass at Danfilter
Ventilation filters - called air filters here - are produced by a fibre structure that ensures the filter has the filtering capability it should have. The fibres’ density and thickness determine, amongst other things, how effective an air filter is.
The fibres for air filters can either be made of glass or polyester, so-called synthetic fibres.
At Danfilter, we say no to glass and yes to polyester and only produce filters with synthetic polyester fibres. We have put a lot of consideration into this. So, if we are to explain why polyester is better than glass, in a nutshell it can be explained like this:
We use polyester
Our filters are electric
The fibre structure and density of the filter are important for efficiency, but we have a card up our sleeve. All polyester fibres are electrostatically charged, thus attracting the dust particles. An electrostatic charge significantly increases the filtering capability - the same effect cannot be achieved with glass.
In order to ensure equal conditions for testing and documentation of filters, it has become a requirement for both EN779 and ISO 16890 that synthetic polyester filters be discharged before the test is performed. This means that our filters are deliberately made worse before being tested. This is done to ensure that if the charge should disappear for unexplained reasons, the filter still retains a filtration capacity that is at least as good as that of glass. Ironically, our Scandinavian temperatures and weather conditions help maintain the charge of synthetic filters. It is exactly the same conditions that affect your hair, clothing or a balloon rubbed against a jumper. Static electricity is everywhere - even in our filters.
This is worth remembering if you are to compare glass and synthetic filters.
A used filter is a good filter
Once a filter has fulfilled its function, it is packed tightly with particles, dust and other culprits which have fortunately been filtered out of the air. A used filter made of synthetic polyester fibres can be disposed of as ordinary roof refuse or small combustible. The flammability of a used filter is incredibly high. Both dust and fibres are converted into new energy, electricity and heat when burned in our environmentally friendly incinerators.
A glass filter does not burn; it melts at very high temperatures. For this reason, in many parts of the world, glass debris ends up being buried and landfilled. It is no coincidence that it says “landfill” on the containers for glass wool and Rockwool on recycling sites. Glass never perishes - even when buried.
The advantages of polyester don’t end here
There are so many reasons for avoiding glass in the production of a filter. The absolutely best - and for our corporate customers most important one - is that our filters can withstand being transported. They can be handled and, for example, carried onto roofs or down into basements where the filters are to be used. The synthetic polyester filters are sturdy and durable, not porous and fragile like many glass filters. An air filter with a hole in the filter material is worthless - as this cancels the whole point of having an air filter fitted.
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