Timeline

“At Blueair, we believe in clean air for everyone. We are an innovative company with a premium focus: designing and manufacturing the best air purification systems available today.” - Bengt Rittri, Founder

• 
  • 1996
  After 8 years at Electrolux, Bengt Rittri forms Blueair AB in Stockholm, Sweden to follow his dream of developing a Best in Class air purifier.
• 
  • 1997
  Blueair introduces the original air purifier, the Blueair 401, for use by various industries, including hospitals and medical clinics, retail, healthcare, daycare and residential use. The Blueair 501 is developed as an air purifier with one of the largest capacities. 
• 
  • 1998
  Blueair receives the Excellent Swedish Design Award for the 401, one of the most prestigious design awards in Scandinavia. A Blueair purifier is placed in the permanent Contemporary Swedish Design Exhibit at the National Museum in Stockholm.
• 
  • 1999
  Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) in the United States develops a voluntary Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) performance measurement rating system.
• 
  • 1999
  Enhanced SmokeStop™ filter introduced as an option for environments with heavy gaseous pollutants. Blueair, Inc. filter-renewal program established in the U.S.
• 
  • 2000
  Blueair Inc. is established in Chicago, IL as a subsidiary of Blueair AB. The Blueair 501 receives the highest Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) to date in an Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers' (AHAM) standard test.
• 
  • 2001
  Blueair enhances the Blueair 401 and introduces the updated version, the Blueair 402, which achieves one of the highest Clean Air Delivery Rates in its size category.
• 
  • 2002
  The Blueair 601 is introduced and, once again, distinguishes Blueair by achieving the highest CADR in AHAM tests. Blueair AB adds dealer in Korea; continues expansion into Asian, Middle East and European markets.
• 
  • 2003
  Blueair introduces an updated version of the Blueair 501, which is noteworthy for its 25% increase in CADR. Blueair Model 601 set a new standard for excellence in tests by Consumer Reports at high speed.
• 
  • 2004
  Blueair becomes one of the first manufacturers to qualify its air purifiers with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program.
• 
  • 2005
  Awarded the 2005 Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Award in the Children's Health and Well-Being category for the incredibly quiet Blueair 201, which is introduced the same year.
• 
  • 2006
  Blueair's dedication to innovation is apparent with the introduction of the Blueair 250E, the first Blueair unit with electronic control.
• 
  • 2007
  Energy efficiency takes center stage with the launch of the Blueair ECO10, the world's most energy-efficient air purifier, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. In addition, the Blueair MD Professional is introduced in the U.S. for commercial and healthcare use.
• 
  • 2008
  Electronic controls are introduced to Blueair's popular models, receiving the designations: Blueair 450E, 550E and 650E.
• 
  • 2009
  The Blueair 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 Series are enhanced with new and improved filters and a filter replacement indicator. These models receive the designations: Blueair 203, 303, 403, 503 and 603.
• 
  • 2010
  Blueair 600 Series attains the highest possible CADR rating by AHAM. Blueair sponsors the Swedish Pavilion at World EXPO 2010 in Shanghai, China.
• 
  • 2011
  First European nationwide exclusive distributor starts up to be responsible for the British and Irish market.
• 
  • 2012
  Awarded ‘best air purifier’ by the Shanghai Consumer council. The same year, Blueair purifiers were reviewed by America’s leading consumer magazine and ranked among other air purifiers in the category.
• 
  • 2013
  Blueair Sense is launched to consumer market and receives the “Red Dot – Best of the Best award.” U.S. government purchases thousands of Blueair purifiers for all U.S. embassy employees in China.
• 
  • 2014
  Blueair Sense wins the German “Good Design” award. Volvo introduces Blueair in their showrooms.
• • 2015
  Blueair brings the Internet of Things to the air purification world with the successful launch of the Blueair Friend app, the Aware air quality monitor and the Wi-Fi connected Sense+ air purifier.
• 
  • 2016
  Twenty years young, Blueair has grown into a global air purification company represented in over 60 countries worldwide. An important step to bring clean air to as many as possible was the acquisition of Blueair by Unilever in August. Bengt Rittri, CEO, says: “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.”