Kimberly-Clark Corporation’s high-efficiency filter media has received the 2010 North America Frost & Sullivan Product Leadership of the Year Award.The award recognizes excellence in the development and launch of new products, and Kimberly-Clark was cited for showing “innovation” and HVAC industry leadership.

“As end-users in commercial and institutional facilities become increasingly aware of the importance of indoor air quality, there has been a rise in the demand for high-efficiency filter media in HVAC filters,” said Frost & Sullivan Research analyst Alejandra Lozano.“Kimberly-Clark has responded quickly to this opportunity by introducing a new line of high-efficiency media for HVAC filters that offers high particle capture efficiency throughout the lifetime of the air filter.”

That high particle capture efficiency is possible thanks to the company’s unique nonwoven media, which combines the advantages of a mechanical structure and an enhanced charge to provide optimum efficiency.The mechanical structure features a mix of fiber diameters in a gradient density, with loosely packed fibers on the upstream side and densely packed fibers on the downstream side.

Kimberly-Clark’s filter media was also cited for its low airflow resistance, which translates into reduced energy usage to operate HVAC systems.Reducing energy usage not only reduces costs, it can allow commercial and institutional buildings to obtain credits toward the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.

“We have designed our air filter media to deliver the highest levels of indoor air quality over the lifecycle of the filter while also allowing users to reduce their energy costs,” explained Ron Cox, CAFS, market manager, Kimberly-Clark Filtration.“We believe filter manufacturers and filter end-users will see the value in our highly differentiated media.”

The 100% synthetic media is thermally bonded to prevent fiber shedding during manufacture or in use.This is an advantage over micro-fiberglass media, which can be more easily damaged during manufacture, transport or installation, potentially causing the tiny glass fibers to shed and become airborne and respirable.

The media’s fibers are made from chemically inert polymers, making it completely safe to handle.In addition, the fibers are hydrophobic, preventing moisture absorption and resisting microbial growth.The media can be thermally, adhesively, ultrasonically or stitch bonded, providing a wide range of converting options.It is also pleatable with pre/post heat.