How Praan’s Filterless Air Purifiers Are Leading India's Battle Against Rising Air Pollution

India, currently ranked fifth among the world's most polluted nations, faces alarming levels of PM2.5 pollutants, reaching 38 µg/m³ as of February 21, 2024—nearly 3.7 times higher than the WHO recommended limit. The scenario worsens in industrial zones, impacting blue-collar workers, whose livelihoods tether to these areas.

Industries such as chemicals, textiles, cement, steel, and mining are significant contributors to India's air pollution crisis. The MSME sector, constituting 63 million enterprises and contributing 30% to India's GDP, also exacerbates environmental degradation.

Metropolitan centers like Delhi and Mumbai suffer perennially due to a confluence of factors including biofuel and industrial emissions, construction debris, road dust, and agricultural residue burning.

In response, while household air purifiers offer some relief indoors, outdoor options are scarce. This scarcity particularly affects industrial workers, exposing them to hazardous pollutants daily.

Angad Daryani's Praan steps into this void with its innovative approach. Established in 2017 during Daryani's tenure at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Praan was born out of a personal struggle with asthma and a determination to combat urban air pollution.

Starting with rudimentary materials like paint buckets and duct tape, Daryani prototyped his first filterless air purifier—a 5-ft-tall structure he lugged to college daily. Despite initial challenges, Daryani's persistence attracted a team of volunteers, and Praan began to take shape.

Funding hurdles persisted, but Daryani's vision remained steadfast. Soft commitments from Indian VCs and strategic angels were secured, only to falter with the onset of the pandemic. Undeterred, Daryani continued to rally support and enhance Praan's technology remotely.

Today, Praan boasts backing from prominent venture capitalists and angel investors, drawn to its disruptive approach of filterless air purification. Praan's technology utilizes electric fields to trap and remove pollutants, offering a cost-effective solution with minimal maintenance.

With products like the MKII model, Praan targets large-scale pollution mitigation in industrial and public spaces. Launched in 2023, MKII boasts significant enhancements over its predecessor, promising improved air quality and coverage.

Praan's impact extends beyond mere air purification. By addressing fugitive emissions in industries, Praan enhances working conditions for laborers, simultaneously making strides in climate advocacy.

As Praan gears up for its Series A funding round, the startup exemplifies the potential of local innovations in India's cleantech landscape. With a burgeoning market projected to exceed $1.16 billion by 2030, Praan's journey underscores the pivotal role of scalable solutions in combatting air pollution and fostering a sustainable future.