Greenairy builds plant towers to tackle office air pollution
Greenairy is developing plant-based towers that pull in air, break down toxic gases, and return cleaner air to indoor spaces. The startup argues that standard purifiers capture particulates well but are less effective against volatile organic compounds, while its plant system avoids filter replacements. Greenairy has tested its towers in short-term pilots in Singapore and will take part in Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt.
Greenairy grew from a student project after founders Tanvi Thombre and Lakshya Saraf traced a health scare in their university makerspace. They learned that equipment such as laser cutters, 3D printers, and soldering irons can release fumes, and that enclosed commercial spaces—schools, offices, hotels, salons—may trap indoor pollutants when windows stay shut.
Their system uses plant towers to circulate air, degrade harmful gases, and return it cleaner. In Singapore trials using RESET-certified monitors, they compared their tower with an ionizer and a HEPA purifier; they reported the fastest and lowest VOC results, plus a 50% drop in daily average and peak VOC levels during office hours. TÜV SÜD validation is pending publication.
If validated, plant-based air-cleaning towers may offer workplaces an alternative to filter-dependent purifiers, potentially benefiting office staff, students, salon workers, hotel guests, and others in sealed buildings. Lower VOC exposure could support comfort, cognition, and productivity, though real-world impact depends on certification, scale, maintenance, and independent evidence. Adoption may also influence how commercial buildings approach indoor air quality.