1.1 Definition and scope of the study

An air purifier is a device that reduces the impact of domestic and industrial pollution by filtering the air and consequently removing pollutants and unpleasant odors. Within the scope of this study, however, we will focus only on domestic and commercial applications of these devices rather than industrial ones.

There are five main air purification technologies on the Italian market, based on the pollutant being treated:

Mechanical filters (e.g., HEPA);
Electronic filters (ionizers or electrostatic precipitators);
Gas phase filters (e.g., activated carbon);
UVGI or germicidal UV irradiation;
PCO or photocatalytic oxidation;
Ozonators;

In public environments, such as hospital or airplanes, air purifiers are mainly used to filter and remove toxic residues. In domestic environments, on the other hand, air purifiers are found in offices and homes to improve hygiene and quality of life for employees and residents.

In 2022, the gloal market for air purifiers is estimated at $13.97 billion. Between 2022 and 2030, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3 percent is expected, thanks to which the market could reach a total value of $24.55 billion.

Smart air purifiers are covering an increasingly large market segment. By 2033, the market value of this specific sector is expected to grow to be worth $24.64 billion.

Today the market is also developing positively in Italy, despite rather high prices. Although it is still a niche market, the market is growing rapidly and this growth is led by some leading brands such as Dyson, Philips, Samsung, and Xiaomi.

Blocking measures implemented by the government in various regions of Italy to contain the spread of COVID-19 have led to increased sales of home appliances, including air purifiers. In addition, there is a growing demand for air purifiers from healthcare facilities and public buildings as consumers are exploring ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

1.2 The world market

In ****, the global air purifier market reached a value of $**.** billion. With the prospect of a compound annual growth rate (***) of *.*%, by **** the global market could reach a total value of nearly $** billion, which is double the current value.

Air purifier market World, ****-****, in billions of dollars Grandviewresearch

Consumers are ...

1.3 The Italian market for air purifiers

The association Assoclima provides statistics and information on different types of ventilation and air treatment devices. To capture the evolution of the size of the Italian air purifier market, we used their data on the turnover of air handling units over the years.

We will use this broader category to assess ...

1.4 Imports and exports

Considering the category "Air Handling Units," within which air purifiers fall, Italy appears to be a net exporter. Between **** and ****, Italy's trade balance shows a coverage rate of always over ***%. This means that the economic value of Italian exports has always been three times or more than that of imports. Over ...

1.5 The consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict

The outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in February **** resulted in a general increase in the consumer price index, among other things. Data on air purifiers specifically are not available. However, looking at the general consumer price index, an increase in costs for end consumers in the air purifier sector is also ...

2.1 Demand drivers

Experts suggest that purchasing an air purifier may be essential if there are real and objective reasons [***], such as:

Allergies to dust, pet dander and pollen; Asthma; Living with smokers; Bad odors produced by animals and their bedding; Living in a region heavily affected by air pollution.

Indeed, the demand for ...

2.2 Smart working as a determinant of demand

Smart working has led many people to spend more time in their homes, highlighting the importance of a healthy and comfortable home environment. With more time spent at home, people have become more aware of the quality of the air they breathe. Interest in air purification has grown in order to ...

2.3 The most polluted regions in Italy

In order to analyze the geographical distribution of demand for air purifiers, a map was created with the average annual concentration of PM** in each Italian macro-region. A positive correlation is assumed between urban pollution and demand for air purifiers

Data for each macro-region were obtained by aggregating the values recorded ...

2.4 New demand trends

Consumer preferences for air purifiers appear to be influenced by various factors such as the elimination of allergens, odors, and mold, as well as air quality, which is seen as essential to health. In ****, these preferences were manifested in various trends and features sought in air purifiers, including:

Filter types: High ...

3.1 Market structure

In order to analyze the market structure, enterprises devoted to the distribution of electronic equipment and household appliances (***) are considered. In particular, the number of enterprises, the number of employees in the sector and the legal form of enterprises are analyzed. This choice is related to the lack of data concerning ...

3.2 Value chain

WEEE disposal refers to the responsible disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. This waste includes various electronic and electrical devices that are decommissioned or no longer functioning. Proper management of this waste is essential to prevent environmental pollution and ensure the recovery of valuable materials. The WEEE disposal process may ...

3.3 The main manufacturers

Considering the fact that air purifiers are still thought of as a niche market in Italy, the main players in this sector can be identified in large electronic device manufacturing companies that have consumer trust and the right reputation to introduce new devices such as air purifiers. The other main and ...

3.4 The main distribution channels

The main distributors of air purifiers in Italy are:

Unieuro s.p.a: founded in ****, is Italy's largest retailer of consumer electronics and home appliances by number of stores, with a network of *** stores throughout Italy. The company adopts an omnichannel approach, integrating direct stores, affiliated outlets and a digital ...

4.1 Air purification technologies on the market

Several air purification technologies are available, namely[***]:

Filtration: The principle of filtration is to capture pollutants in the air to be treated through a series of filters. HEPA (***) filters are the most qualitative because they are able to recover the smallest pollutants. HEPA technology accounts for about ** percent of global market ...

4.2 The prices

The following are some of the products available in the Italian market with their retail prices.

4.3 New supply trends

As an emerging one, the market for air purifiers is constantly evolving. In terms of offering these products, design and manufacturing are increasingly moving toward:

Smart technology integration: modern air purifiers are increasingly equipped with smart features. These features may include connectivity to smartphones or smart home systems, enabling remote control ...

5.1 The legislation

The market for air filtration and cleaning products, as with many other products, is regulated by various laws and regulations at both the national and European levels. However, the standards that relate most specifically to air purifiers have been issued by the European Union:

EN ***:****: constitutes the reference legislative source for ...