VIX™

The most energy-efficient cleanroom concept

The VIX concept is ABN Cleanroom Technology’s patented energy efficient cleanroom concept, designed to set a new standard in airflow control and operational reliability.
At its core is a vertical plenum that houses all air treatment installations including filtration, fan units, and conditioning systems in one integrated module. This all in one approach eliminates the need for separate mechanical spaces and complex ducting, making the cleanroom footprint more compact and the installation process significantly faster.

VIX is an integral part of the ABN Cleanroom Technology ADAPTUS Product Platform, which enables rapid configuration and deployment of cleanroom facilities. This platform approach allows for scalability, modularity, and consistent performance across different projects, ensuring that each cleanroom benefits from proven design principles and advanced technology.

VIX cleanrooms vs. traditional cleanrooms

Traditional approach: higher energy usage, single point of failure

Traditionally, most facilities rely on a single central air-handling unit that continuously drives large air volumes through long ducts and ceiling filters. As a result, airflow is typically fixed, often at a high rate, regardless of occupancy or load. Consequently, the central unit becomes a single point of failure: if it stops, the entire cleanroom stops. Unsurprisingly, this setup leads to consistently high energy use and higher operating costs.

VIX approach: continuous operation, easy upgrades

By contrast, ABN’s VIX cleanrooms replace the single central unit with a network of compact, intelligent modules installed in a sealed ceiling plenum. In addition, a sensor-driven control system continuously adjusts airflow to match demand and maintains stable pressure cascades. Importantly, individual modules can be serviced while others keep running. When requirements evolve, higher capacity or a tighter classification is achieved by adding modules and updating setpoints, without a major rebuild.

Energy-efficient patented VIX-concept

Go as you grow

Let your business evolve rapidly with VIX. Today, you might need a small dimensioned cleanroom, while next week, it must be enlarged due to increasing business.

99,9% uptime

VIX is characterized by its decentral air systems. These air units are installed in the airtight plenum above the cleanroom and guarantee a 99,9% uptime.

Upgradable

The performance of VIX cleanrooms (patent nr. 2820356) can be easily ISO classification upgraded and modified towards your changing cleanroom business.

Why companies choose VIX

In regulated industries, ensuring that systems and equipment function correctly and meet compliance requirements is essential. The GAMP 5 (Good Automated Manufacturing Practice) framework provides a structured approach to system validation, aligning with traditional qualification methodologies.

Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

The VIX concept is designed with efficiency at its core. By reducing energy consumption, optimizing airflow, and minimizing maintenance needs, it significantly lowers the total cost of ownership compared to traditional cleanroom solutions. Over the full lifecycle of your cleanroom, this translates into substantial cost savings while maintaining uncompromising quality and compliance.

Less production stops

Easy to expand in the future

Your business needs may evolve, and so should your cleanroom. The VIX concept makes future expansion simple and cost-efficient. Thanks to its modular architecture, additional cleanroom space or functionality can be integrated without disrupting ongoing operations, providing flexibility and scalability exactly when you need it.

Sustainable by design

Sustainability is built into the DNA of the VIX concept. With energy-efficient systems, reduced material usage, and optimized airflow management, it supports your organization’s environmental goals. By lowering energy demand and extending the cleanroom’s lifecycle, the VIX concept not only reduces operational costs but also your carbon footprint.

Where the savings come from?

When switching from a traditional centralized cleanroom to the ABN VIX modular approach, the reduction in operating costs comes from several areas. Based on a reference case, we observed the following typical savings:

Firstly, recirculation air costs dropped by around 75%, thanks to shorter airflow paths, reduced duct losses, and fewer leaks.
In addition, cooling costs were reduced by about 59%, while heating saw a 62% reduction, due to dynamic airflow control and night-setback operation.
Moreover, dehumidification costs decreased by approximately 61%, thanks to efficient, right-sized modules that avoid over-conditioning.
Importantly, planned downtime costs fell by roughly 83%, since modules can be serviced without shutting down the cleanroom.
Finally, unplanned downtime was reduced by about 33%, as the modular design removes the single point of failure typical in centralized systems.

As a result of these combined efficiencies, annual energy use was approximately 62% lower, and the 15-year total cost was reduced by about 44% compared with the traditional approach.

It is worth noting that actual results will vary depending on process loads, operating hours, and local energy prices; these figures should be considered indicative. For a tailored estimate, we can provide a project-specific calculation or a detailed case study on request.

Airtightness and fresh air efficiency

Built for minimal leakage

The VIX concept is built in accordance with VCCN Guideline RL 8: Airtightness and particle tightness of cleanrooms and clean devices, achieving airtightness class L2. As a result, the system requires far less fresh air to maintain the desired pressure cascade, which immediately translates into lower ventilation loads.

Smarter fresh air management

Because of this reduced fresh air need, all VIX cleanrooms are equipped with integrated CO₂ monitoring, ensuring indoor air quality remains consistently below 750 ppm while still meeting the most stringent cleanliness requirements. In contrast, traditional cleanroom designs often calculate fresh air supply at around 20% of the total airflow, mainly due to pressure regulation via VAV dampers, which require a minimum airflow resistance to operate effectively.

However, fresh air enters the system unconditioned and must be cooled, heated, dehumidified, and sometimes humidified before entering the cleanroom. Therefore, by lowering the fresh air requirement, the VIX concept significantly reduces the energy needed for air treatment, all while maintaining optimal environmental control.

Contacteer ons

Of u nu op zoek bent naar deskundig advies, een snel antwoord of een gedetailleerd gesprek, wij zijn er om u te helpen. Kies de optie die voor u het beste werkt: bel ons direct, stuur ons een e-mail of boek een vergadering van 30 minuten wanneer het u uitkomt. Laten we samen de beste cleanroomoplossing vinden!