June 5, 2025 AAF Launches New High-Efficiency V-Bank Air Filters

BioCel® and VariCel® VXL RC V-Bank air filters provide exceptional performance with fewer changeovers and lower total cost of ownership.

LOUISVILLE, Kent. – American Air Filter Co. Inc., a member of the Daikin Group and global leader in air filtration solutions, introduces the BioCel® VXL RC and VariCel® VXL RC V-Bank Class of air filters, ushering in a new generation of high-performance air filters designed to perform better, last longer, and reduce maintenance time and total cost of ownership.

Designed for use in HVAC systems in hospitals, schools, manufacturing plants, hotels, and other commercial facilities, the VariCel VXL RC and BioCel VXL RC each feature an 8-panel design with multiple recessed, mini-pleat media packs assembled into a series of V-banks, allowing them to contain up to 50 percent more media than standard rigid cartridge filters.   This increased media area provides greater airflow capacity and reduces initial resistance by up to 20 percent compared to conventional V-Bank filters, lowering overall energy usage and extending filter life.

Near-HEPA filtration

The BioCel VXL RC is AAF’s highest performing MERV 16/16A HVAC filter with near-HEPA-level filtration efficiency and a low initial pressure drop, making it an excellent choice against airborne biological contaminants in hospital critical areas as well as in food and pharmaceutical processing plants. The BioCel VXL RC allows for an easy high-efficiency upgrade of existing rigid-style filters without requiring special frames or latches, making it a perfect solution for air handling systems that require the highest level of ASHRAE-grade efficiency.

The BioCel VXL RC filter offers greater than 99% average efficiency on 1.0µ to 5.0µ particles, which encompasses the sizes of most bacteria harmful to human health, weighs significantly less, and is much easier to handle and install when compared to traditional 12″-deep, box-style ASHRAE-grade filters with metal cell sides, saving valuable change-out time and money.

Best Efficiency in Its Class

The VariCel VXL RC is the most efficient v-bank air filter in its class, dramatically reducing airflow resistance to enable systems to operate using less energy. It is specially designed to deliver consistent air quality even in challenging operating conditions, including variable air volume systems, turbulent airflow environments, repeated fan shutdown scenarios, and moderate to high humidity settings.

The VariCel VLX RC’s dual-density design allows dirt particles to be collected throughout the entire depth of the media pack, utilizing the full filtering potential of the media and maximizing dust holding capacity, extending the life of the filter while minimizing operating costs. The VariCel VLX RC also features a strengthened frame for added durability with industry-leading burst pressure resistance is available in single- and double-header models, with MERV 15/15A, MERV 14/14Aefficiencies, and meets LEED® Project Certification efficiency requirements.

“Facility managers are under tremendous pressure to improve indoor air quality while reducing energy consumption,” said Kent Mertz, product manager at AAF International. “These new V-Bank filters represent AAF’s commitment to lowering our customers’ total cost of ownership without compromising air quality, health, and safety. By combining reduced resistance, extended filter life, and ease of installation, we’ve created filtration solutions that deliver immediate and long-term value, while improving the air quality at facilities that use them.”

Both the VariCel and BioCel offer indentions on the top and bottom of the filter header for easy installation, are lightweight, are available in antimicrobial versions, and are fully incinerable.

All models are available today through AAF International’s distribution network.  To learn more, visit www.aafintl.com/us.

About AAF
Headquartered in Louisville, Ky., AAF International is the world’s largest manufacturer of air filtration solutions, developing and manufacturing a wide variety of solutions that are designed to remove and control airborne particulates and gaseous contaminants in commercial, industrial, cleanroom, transportation and nuclear power applications.  Founded in 1921, AAF has grown into an international standard for innovative products that bring clean air to life for billions of people throughout the globe. www.aafintl.com

About the Daikin Group
Daikin Industries, Ltd., a global Fortune 1000 company established in 1924, pioneers high quality, energy efficient heating, cooling, ventilation, air purification and low global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerant technology that brings people comfort – at home and at work. The world’s number one air conditioning company, Daikin operates in 170 countries with approximately 100,000 employees. In the United States, Daikin proudly employs more than 22,000 workers who engineer, design and assemble industry leading products across 25 advanced manufacturing sites. Daikin serves Americans coast-to-coast through its nine Research and Development centers, 400+ distribution points and a nationwide network of local contractors who trust and choose Daikin every day. https://www.daikin.com/corporate

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