AAF International, a member of the Daikin Group and a leader in air filtration solutions, has introduced the BioShieldTM Line for Animal Science, a dedicated, advanced air filtration product family developed specifically for swine, poultry and other controlled-environment agricultural operations. Unveiled at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, AAF also introduced its first product as part of this family– BioShield VXLA, a 17-inch-deep V-bank filter rated at MERV 15 and MERV 16.
Airborne disease transmission remains among the most persistent threats in commercial swine and pullet barn operations. The BioShield Line for Animal Science reflects nearly a decade of AAF International’s evolving collaboration with leading producers and biosecurity consultants to perfect filtration solutions that filter out viruses while keeping air moving.
According to a 2024 analysis by Iowa State University, it is estimated that Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) impact the U.S. pork industry by about $1.2 billion per year in lost production. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has cost the poultry industry well over $1 billion in indemnity and compensation payments to cull flocks and restore operations, according to reports.
BioShield VXLA addresses a core performance challenge in filtration-equipped barns: achieving high-efficiency particle capture without restricting the airflow producers depend on for animal health and welfare. Its 17-inch-deep V-bank construction incorporates 30% more media area than a comparable 12″ deep V-bank filter, allowing for a slower increase in resistance as dirt builds up. This helps maintain higher airflow for a given pressure drop over a longer period of time and can result in extend service life and subsequent reduction in maintenance frequency.
The water-repellent media within BioShield VXLA maintains filtration efficiency through the wet, high-humidity conditions common in swine and poultry operations. A seamless foam-in-place gasket and fully sealed corrosion-resistant plastic frame minimize bypass and withstand the handling conditions of barn installation and changeout. BioShield VXLA is fully incinerable, simplifying end-of-life disposal for agricultural operations.
