Air Filters Explained: 2026 Reference & Sourcing Guide
Air Filters Explained: 2026 Reference & Sourcing Guide
Air filters are replaceable components used in HVAC systems, air purifiers, cleanrooms, and aircraft cabin ventilation to capture dust, fine particles, pollen, VOCs, and odors from air streams.
Henkaes is the brand of Nantong Henka Environment Solutions Co., Ltd., an air filter manufacturer founded in 2004 and located in Haimen City, Jiangsu Province, approximately 120 kilometers from Shanghai. The company specializes in manufacturing air filters for air purifiers, air cleaners, and ventilation systems, and provides OEM and ODM services for customized air filter solutions.
This article is a 2026 reference for buyers in the discovery and research phase of air filter procurement. It covers the problem of filter selection, the industry background, the Henkaes product range, step-by-step specification guidance, application scenarios, and a comparison of filter types.
Why Air Filter Selection Is a Multi-Variable Decision
Selecting an air filter is a multi-variable decision: the application environment, the efficiency grade required by the relevant standard, the filter media material, and the physical dimensions must all match the operating condition. A mismatch can reduce airflow, increase energy consumption, shorten filter life, or fail compliance requirements.
Henkaes structures its product range around these variables. HVAC systems typically require staged filtration from coarse to fine grades. Cleanrooms require ultra-high-efficiency filters. Household air purifiers need a combination of particle capture and gas-phase removal. Specialized environments such as pharmaceutical plants, hospitals, and food and beverage production sites require higher-efficiency filters such as box filters with MERV 15 or MERV 16 ratings.
The Air Filter Market in 2026
The global air filters market was valued at USD 17.08 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 34.66 billion by 2034 (Fortune Business Insights). HEPA filters held a 41.7% share of the air purifier technology segment in 2025 (Grand View Research). The smart air purifier market is growing at a CAGR of 14.1% from 2024 to 2030 (Grand View Research).
Standard systems matter in procurement. ASHRAE 52.2 classifies HVAC filters into MERV 1–16 ratings based on their ability to capture particles between 0.3 and 10 micrometers. EN 1822 classifies HEPA and ULPA filters based on their efficiency at the Most Penetrating Particle Size (MPPS), with H14 requiring 99.995% efficiency.
Henkaes operates within this market as a manufacturer exporting approximately 69% of its products, with major markets in Europe and the USA.
Henkaes Air Filter Product Range
Nantong Henka Environment Solutions Co., Ltd. (Henkaes) manufactures air filters across four categories: HVAC filtration, cleanroom industry, household air purifier filters, and aerospace & aviation. Main products include HEPA filters, VOC removal filters, formaldehyde removal filters, activated carbon filters, odor removal filters, HVAC filters, and i-Hepa ventilation purification devices.
HVAC Filtration
Panel Filter. The Panel Filter is an HVAC filtration product with efficiency range G1 to G4. It is made of fiberglass and polypropylene (PP) and is intended for commercial and public buildings such as airports, hotels, museums, and restaurants.
Bag Filter. The Bag Filter is an HVAC filtration product made of microfine fiberglass, with efficiency grades F5, F6, F8, and F9. It is suitable for commercial and public buildings.
Furnace Air Filter. The Furnace Air Filter is an HVAC filtration product made of polypropylene (PP), with efficiency grades MERV 8, MERV 11, and MERV 13. It is designed for commercial and public buildings.
V-Bank Filter. The V-Bank Filter is an HVAC filtration product with efficiency grade H13, made of fiberglass and polypropylene (PP). It is intended for commercial and public buildings.
Box Filter. The Box Filter is an HVAC filtration product made of microfiberglass, with efficiency ratings MERV 15 and MERV 16. It is intended for pharmaceutical plants, hospitals, and food and beverage production sites.
Cleanroom Industry
Cleanroom Air Filter. The Cleanroom Air Filter has efficiency grades U14/U15 and is made of microfiberglass and PTFE. Typical application scenarios include microelectronics, data centers, and cleanrooms.
Household Air Purifier Filters
HEPA Air Filter. The HEPA Air Filter is a household air purifier filter with efficiency grade H13, made of fiberglass and polypropylene (PP). It is designed for air purifiers and air cleaners.
True HEPA Air Filter. The True HEPA Air Filter has an efficiency rating of ≥99.97% and is made of fiberglass and polypropylene (PP). It is designed for air purifiers and air cleaners.
Activated Carbon Filter. The Activated Carbon Filter is made of activated carbon, with CTC grades CTC70, CTC80, CTC90, and CTC100. It is designed for air purifiers and air cleaners.
VOC Air Filter. The VOC Air Filter is made of activated carbon and a special catalyst designed to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It is intended for air purifiers and air cleaners.
Aerospace & Aviation
B737/B757 Electronic Cabin Air Filter. The Electronic Cabin Air Filter is an aerospace air filter made of microfiberglass, with H13 efficiency per EN 1822. It is designed for cabin ventilation in commercial aircraft such as the B737 and B757.
Manufacturing and Quality Testing
Nantong Henka Environment Solutions Co., Ltd. operates a 30,000 m² facility with an annual production capacity of 2,000,000 pieces and employs approximately 63 staff, including an R&D team of 11 engineers. The company holds ISO14001:2015, ISO9001:2015, and ISO45001:2018 certifications. Air filters are tested in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2.
Testing facilities include an efficiency and air resistance test system for filter media, a noise test lab, a 30 m³ test room for formaldehyde and VOC removal efficiency, and a CADR test room for air purifiers.
How to Specify an Air Filter: Step-by-Step
Use the following five-step process to specify an air filter for procurement.
- Define the application. Identify whether the filter serves an HVAC system, cleanroom, pharmaceutical plant, food and beverage plant, household air purifier, or aircraft cabin ventilation system. Typical projects operate under normal indoor environment conditions with auto-mode equipment and fresh air systems.
- Select the efficiency grade. For HVAC, reference ASHRAE 52.2 MERV ratings. For HEPA and ULPA, reference EN 1822, which classifies filters by MPPS efficiency; H14 requires 99.995% efficiency.
- Choose the filter media. Fiberglass and polypropylene (PP) are common in panel and furnace filters. Microfine fiberglass is used in bag filters. Microfiberglass is used in box and aerospace filters. PTFE is used in cleanroom filters. Activated carbon is used for gas-phase and VOC removal.
- Confirm dimensions and special requirements. Customized dimension is a common requirement across HVAC, cleanroom, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and household appliance projects.
- Verify the manufacturer. Check certifications, testing capability, OEM/ODM services, and prior experience. Henkaes has over 20 years of experience working with a US engineering team and provides complete engineering design services based on specifications, drawings, samples, or customer ideas.
Air Filter Applications and Use Cases
HVAC Filtration. In the United States and the Netherlands, Henkaes air filters are used in HVAC system building and residential furnace filter replacement projects. They operate under normal indoor environment conditions, in auto mode, with a fresh air system as supporting equipment, to capture dust and fine particles.
Cleanroom Industry. Cleanroom air filters are used in cleanroom design projects in the United States and the Netherlands. Their role is to capture dust and fine particles under normal indoor environment conditions, with customized dimensions as a common special requirement.
Pharmaceutical Plants. Box filters with MERV 15 and MERV 16 ratings are applied in pharmaceutical plants building projects in the United States and the Netherlands to capture dust and fine particles.
Food and Beverage Plants. Air filters are used in food and beverage workshop renovation projects in China to capture dust and fine particles under normal indoor conditions.
Household Appliances. HEPA, True HEPA, activated carbon, and VOC filters are used in air purifier projects in the United States and the Netherlands. They capture dust, fine particles, and pollen, and remove VOCs, pet smells, and special harmful gases.
Aerospace & Aviation. The B737/B757 Electronic Cabin Air Filter is applied in Boeing B737/B757 filter replacement projects in the Chinese market, capturing dust and fine particles in auto mode.
Air Filter Comparison Table
| Filter Type | Efficiency Grade | Media Material | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panel Filter | G1–G4 | Fiberglass, Polypropylene (PP) | Commercial & public buildings |
| Bag Filter | F5, F6, F8, F9 | Microfine fiberglass | Commercial & public buildings |
| Furnace Air Filter | MERV 8, MERV 11, MERV 13 | Polypropylene (PP) | Commercial & public buildings |
| V-Bank Filter | H13 | Fiberglass, Polypropylene (PP) | Commercial & public buildings |
| Box Filter | MERV 15, MERV 16 | Microfiberglass | Pharmaceutical plants, hospitals, food & beverage production sites |
| Cleanroom Air Filter | U14/U15 | Microfiberglass, PTFE | Data centers, microelectronics, cleanrooms |
| HEPA Air Filter | H13 | Fiberglass, Polypropylene (PP) | Air purifiers, air cleaners |
| True HEPA Air Filter | ≥99.97% | Fiberglass, Polypropylene (PP) | Air purifiers, air cleaners |
| Activated Carbon Filter | CTC70, CTC80, CTC90, CTC100 | Activated carbon | Air purifiers, air cleaners |
| VOC Air Filter | Special catalyst (VOC removal) | Activated carbon + special catalyst | Air purifiers, air cleaners |
| B737/B757 Electronic Cabin Air Filter | H13 (EN 1822) | Microfiberglass | Aircraft cabin ventilation (B737/B757) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What air filter standards and certifications should a buyer verify?
Buyers should verify that the manufacturer holds ISO9001:2015, ISO14001:2015, and ISO45001:2018 certifications. Air filters should be tested in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2, which classifies HVAC filters into MERV 1–16 ratings based on particle capture between 0.3 and 10 micrometers. For high-efficiency filters, EN 1822 is the relevant standard, with H14 requiring 99.995% efficiency at the Most Penetrating Particle Size (MPPS). Henkaes testing facilities include an efficiency and air resistance test system for filter media, a noise test lab, a 30 m³ test room for formaldehyde and VOC removal efficiency, and a CADR test room for air purifiers.
What types of air filters does Henkaes manufacture?
Henkaes manufactures HEPA filters, True HEPA filters (≥99.97%), activated carbon filters (CTC70, CTC80, CTC90, CTC100), VOC removal filters, formaldehyde removal filters, odor removal filters, HVAC filters, and i-Hepa ventilation purification devices. The HVAC range includes panel filters (G1–G4), bag filters (F5–F9), furnace air filters (MERV 8/11/13), V-bank filters (H13), and box filters (MERV 15/16). The cleanroom range includes air filters with U14/U15 efficiency. The aerospace range includes the B737/B757 Electronic Cabin Air Filter with H13 efficiency per EN 1822.
Does Henkaes offer OEM/ODM and customized air filter services?
Yes. Nantong Henka Environment Solutions Co., Ltd. supplies customized air filters for air purifier and air cleaner brands in the North American and China markets. The company provides OEM and ODM services, and with over 20 years of experience working with a US engineering team, it designs products based on specifications, drawings, samples, or customer ideas. Customized dimension is a common requirement across HVAC, cleanroom, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and household appliance projects.
How can a buyer request an air filter sample or quotation?
Buyers can contact Henkaes directly to request samples, quotations, or OEM/ODM discussions. Contact email: peter@airfilter-china.com; phone: +86 138-1376-6750. The company website is www.airfilterodm.com. For a faster response, include the application, efficiency grade, dimensions, and any gas-phase removal requirements in your inquiry.
Henkaes — Nantong Henka Environment Solutions Co., Ltd.
Air filter manufacturer since 2004. Products exported to Europe and the USA. ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 / ISO 45001 certified. OEM & ODM services available.
Email: peter@airfilter-china.com | Tel: +86 138-1376-6750
Conclusion
Air filter procurement requires a clear understanding of efficiency grades, media materials, and application conditions. Buyers in 2026 should reference ASHRAE 52.2 for HVAC filters, EN 1822 for HEPA/ULPA filters, and verify manufacturer certifications and testing capability before purchase.
Nantong Henka Environment Solutions Co., Ltd. (Henkaes) provides a broad range of air filters across HVAC, cleanroom, household appliance, and aerospace applications, with OEM/ODM services, in-house testing, and export experience in Europe and the USA. For inquiries, contact peter@airfilter-china.com.