PureBlade · Project

Energy-Saving Air Compressor Cuts Industrial Electricity Use by Over 20%

manufacturingPilotedTRL 7

lontra.co.uk

Most factories run on compressed air — it powers everything from packaging lines to conveyor systems. The problem is, the basic compressor designs haven't changed since the 1930s, and they waste enormous amounts of electricity. A UK engineering company called Lontra threw out the old blueprints and designed a completely new type of compressor — the Blade Compressor — that delivers the same air output using over 20% less energy. Think of it like replacing a gas-guzzling engine with a modern hybrid, but for factory air systems.

By the numbers

10%

Share of EU industrial energy consumed by air compressors

10TWh

Electricity consumed by EU air compressors annually

4.3M tonnes

CO2 emissions from EU air compressors per year

20%

Energy savings delivered by the Blade Compressor

20TWh

Potential EU-wide electricity savings

860,000 tonnes

Potential CO2 reduction per year across the EU

1935

Era of current core blower designs still in use

The business problem

What needed solving

Air compressors eat up 10% of all industrial energy in the EU — roughly 10TWh of electricity and 4.3 million tonnes of CO2 every year. The blower designs used in food and pharmaceutical plants haven't fundamentally changed since before 1935, meaning factories are running on technology nearly a century old. Companies face rising energy costs and tightening EU Energy Efficiency Directive requirements with no modern alternative available.

The solution

What was built

Lontra developed the Blade Compressor, a clean-sheet oil-free air compressor design offering over 20% energy savings over legacy blowers. They also built a miniature PureBlade display model specifically for demonstrating the technology to potential licensees.

Audience

Who needs this

Food processing plants with high compressed air consumptionPharmaceutical manufacturers requiring oil-free air systemsCompressed air equipment distributors and system integratorsEnergy managers at large industrial facilitiesWastewater treatment plants using blower aeration systems

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Food & Beverage Manufacturing

mid-size

Target: Food processing plants using oil-free blower systems

If you are a food manufacturer relying on oil-free compressed air for packaging, sorting, or cleaning — this project developed the Blade Compressor that can cut your air compression energy bill by over 20%. Since air compressors consume 10% of EU industrial energy use, the savings on your electricity costs could be substantial. The technology is a clean-sheet design specifically targeting food and beverage production environments.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Pharma plants requiring oil-free low-pressure air

If you are a pharmaceutical manufacturer where oil-free compressed air is critical for cleanroom and production processes — this project built a next-generation blower that replaces designs dating back to before 1935. The Blade Compressor offers over 20% energy savings while improving reliability. The technology was developed from TRL6 toward TRL8 specifically for pharma-grade applications.

Industrial Compressed Air Services

any

Target: Compressed air system integrators and distributors

If you are a compressed air equipment distributor or system integrator looking for a competitive edge — Lontra's Blade Compressor represents a generational leap over legacy blower designs. With over 20% energy savings, it gives your customers a short return on investment through reduced electricity costs. A miniature display model was built specifically for potential licensees, signaling licensing opportunities.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

How much can this technology actually save on energy costs?

The project data states over 20% energy savings compared to current compressor technology. Across the EU, this translates to approximately 20TWh of electricity savings. For an individual plant, the exact savings depend on your current compressed air consumption and electricity rates.

Is this ready for industrial-scale deployment?

The project aimed to advance the Blade Compressor from TRL6 to TRL8 during this Phase 2 SME Instrument project (2017-2020). A miniature display model was built for potential licensees, suggesting the technology has moved beyond lab testing into commercialization efforts. The project is closed, indicating development milestones were completed.

What is the IP and licensing situation?

The Blade Compressor is a proprietary technology developed by Lontra Limited. The project explicitly produced a display model for potential licensees, indicating Lontra is pursuing a licensing business model. Companies interested in the technology would need to engage with Lontra directly about licensing terms.

Does this meet regulatory requirements for food and pharma?

The technology was specifically designed as an oil-free, low-pressure air compression system targeting food and pharmaceutical manufacturers. These sectors require oil-free air to meet hygiene and contamination standards. Based on available project data, detailed certification status would need to be confirmed with the developer.

How does this compare to existing compressor technology?

The objective states that current oil-free blower core designs date back to before 1935. The Blade Compressor is a clean-sheet redesign that claims to have leapfrogged existing competition in both efficiency and reliability. The over 20% energy savings figure is the primary competitive advantage cited.

What is the timeline to get this technology installed?

The Phase 2 project ran from September 2017 to February 2020 and is now closed. Lontra's website (lontra.co.uk) would have the most current information on product availability and deployment timelines. The licensing model suggests availability may depend on regional distribution partnerships.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a solo SME project — Lontra Limited is the only partner, a UK-based SME that is both the developer and future commercializer of the technology. The 100% industry composition with zero academic partners signals this is a market-driven effort, not a research exercise. The SME-2 (Phase 2) funding scheme confirms this was an innovation project focused on taking an existing prototype closer to market. For a potential business partner or licensee, this means you would be dealing directly with the technology owner — no complex consortium IP agreements to navigate.

LONTRA LIMITEDCoordinator · UK

How to reach the team

Lontra Limited (UK) — contact via lontra.co.uk for licensing inquiries

Order a report on this consortium See LONTRA LIMITED profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the Lontra team to discuss licensing or deployment of the Blade Compressor? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting with the technology developers.

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