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Summary of this article

The selection of cleanroom packaging starts with one key question: will the packaging actually enter the cleanroom? If it remains outside the controlled environment, a standard single-use or reusable transport solution will often be sufficient. If the packaging does enter the cleanroom, it must comply with the cleanroom classification specified by the end customer. Under-specification increases the risk of contamination, while unnecessarily stringent packaging leads to higher material, cleaning and process costs.

An effective solution distributes the packaging functions across different layers. The Send Assembly provides protection against mechanical and climatic risks during transport and is removed before entering the cleanroom. The Clean Assembly protects the product against contamination, moisture and, where required, electrostatic discharge. The Transport Assembly is positioned directly around the product and must be suitable for handling within the cleanroom. By separating these functions, only the innermost packaging components need to meet the strictest material and cleanliness requirements.

For engineering, quality, procurement and logistics, this means that the cleanroom classification, unpacking process, material selection and reuse strategy must be defined early in the design process. ISO 5 imposes stricter requirements than ISO 7 and excludes various commonly used materials from packaging components that enter the cleanroom. For reusable solutions, cleaning, inspection, repair and replacement must be managed systematically, while film layers often need to be renewed for each transport cycle. By managing packaging, cleaning and logistics as a single controlled process, contamination risks, lead times and unnecessary costs can be reduced.
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Does the packaging enter the cleanroom?

The most important question when choosing packaging is whether it will actually enter the cleanroom. If the product is unpacked outside the cleanroom, standard packaging may be sufficient. If the packaging does enter the cleanroom, stricter requirements apply to its materials, construction and cleanliness.

Not every material is suitable

Many standard packaging materials are not automatically suitable for cleanroom use. Wood can release fibres, foam can retain dirt and open seams can cause contamination. The materials that may be used depend on the cleanroom classification and the requirements set by the end customer.

Involve Faes at an early stage

By involving Faes early in the packaging process, we can align the cleanroom requirements, transport loads and material selection. This helps prevent packaging from failing to meet the required standards or from being made cleaner and more expensive than necessary.

Download the whitepaper

Would you like to know which packaging solution is suitable for your product and cleanroom process?

In our whitepaper ‘Packaging correctly in accordance with cleanroom standards’, you will learn more about:

  • determining whether cleanroom packaging is necessary;
  • the structure of multi-layer cleanroom packaging;
  • the differences between ISO 5 and ISO 7;
  • suitable and unsuitable packaging materials;
  • choosing between single-use and reusable packaging;
  • cleaning cleanroom-compatible packaging.

Download the whitepaper and discover how we can package your product cleanly, safely and in accordance with the correct standard.

Download the whitepaper here
Keynote whitepaper cleanroom
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Robert Verboven

Robert Verboven

Sales Manager

Robert Verboven is Sales Manager at Faes and advises customers on smart packaging solutions within the industry. He translates complex packaging needs into practical solutions that contribute to a more efficient supply chain.

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