In many parts of the world the number of new building projects underway at any given time is held to be a fairly reliable indicator of the health of the national economy.
If this is also true of the state of individual market sectors, then it would be fair to say that the cleanroom industry is in pretty good shape, bolstered by a renewed investment in pharmaceutical and high tech facilities.
Not only are companies looking to expand capacity, they are also seeking to upgrade and modernise their manufacturing plants, particularly as electronics manufacturing continues to become increasingly sophisticated and new technologies come into play in the healthcare sector, notably stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine.
One of the biggest projects currently underway is the nanotech research facility on the MIT campus in Boston, Massachusetts, US. If, as many believe, we have so far barely scratched the surface of the potential for nanotechnology, there is likely to be even greater demand for advanced research facilities such as this 200,000ft2 building, which is due for completion in four years’ time.
And it is not just new builds that are taking off. One pharmaceutical company has opted instead to refurbish an existing office building and turn it into a modern manufacturing operation.
While this upsurge in building demand is great news for the design and construction companies, and the suppliers of components such as stainless steel pipework, HVAC systems, door sets and flooring materials, the cascade effect of the investment will in time trickle down the supply chain to manufacturers of isolators and gloveboxes, filling and packaging equipment, laboratory equipment and furniture.
And once the projects are completed and come on line, the benefits will also reach those who provide garments and gloves, personal protection equipment and the everyday consumables such as cleaning agents, mops and buckets and wipes.
For all these reasons we make no apology for the preponderance of design and construction stories in this issue: this is a cause for optimism and something to celebrate for all participants in the cleanroom sector.
