Air purifier recycles polluted air to be transformed into flooring tiles

The filterless outdoor air purification system makes clean air more affordable and accessible for the communities most in need

Spotted: India has the worst pollution levels in the world, causing more than one million deaths each year according to recent studies. To tackle this public health and environmental issue, startup Praan has designed an affordable and versatile air purifier that cleans air zones at a hyperlocal level.

Called MK One, the outdoor purification device works by removing toxic pollutants from the air and storing them in a container to be recycled. Created specifically for the country’s underprivileged communities, who are generally the most at risk of ill-health due to air pollution exposure, the purifier is filterless, making it more accessible and inexpensive.

Each device costs around €1578 and purifies up to 300 cubic feet of air per minute, an amount large enough to be of use to individuals, families, schools and small businesses without being so large as to be difficult to transport, setup and maintain.

When a device needs to be emptied, usually every couple of months, Praan delivers the captured pollutants to its partner design company, Carbon Craft Design, which transforms powdered pollutants into handcrafted floor tiles.  

As well as awaiting patents for an artificial intelligence add-on to the air purification device, the company is also developing a carbon capture system. The goal is to have the system operational in India by the end of 2021 and of a size to be able to remove up to a tonne of carbon dioxide from the air.  

As communities privilege designs that are specific to their needs, hyperlocal air purification is becoming more common. Other air-cleaning innovations that Springwise has spotted include bus shelters and a playground installation.  

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