Unilever scoops up Blueair

Unilever has acquired Blueair, a provider of air purifying solutions and leading-edge filtration technologies.

The move represents a strengthening of ties between a large corporation that emphasizes sustainability and a supplier focused on reducing urban air pollution.

According to Blueair founder Bengt Rittri, the acquisition will get Blueair air purifiers into the hands of even more consumers, and by extension, equip more people to protect their health.

"We are saying yes to leveraging the help of Unilever – one of the world’s most admired corporations for its sustainability practices – to help Blueair take the next step to become a truly global provider of its health-enhancing air purifiers," said Rittri. "Moving forward, Blueair will be geared to help potentially billions of people rather than millions to create safer, healthier indoor environments as air pollution rises worldwide.”

Bengt launched Blueair 20 years ago with a mission to start a clean air revolution. Blueair air purifiers are designed to filter contaminants such as PM2.5 sooty particles, allergens, chemicals and viruses.

“This mission remains embedded in Blueair today as we continuously work to elevate people’s health and wellbeing in a world where WHO says air pollution is now the world’s largest single environmental health risk, killing around 7 million people in 2012 alone,” Bengt Rittri said.

Rittri added that over 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO limits.

Blueair will continue to operate under its current brand name in all its markets, including Sweden, China, US, Japan, South Korea and India.