Greenairy’s Smart Plant Towers Clean Office Air

Indoor air quality remains a critical but often overlooked hazard in modern commercial environments, particularly in spaces sealed by air conditioning systems. This reality drove engineering students Tanvi Thombre and Lakshya Saraf to investigate the hidden dangers lurking in their university makerspace. While operating machinery such as laser cutters, 3D printers, and soldering irons, they were unaware of the health risks until a severe incident occurred.

Thombre stated via email that while working in the space, they were “unknowingly exposed to toxic fumes from laser cutters, 3D printers, and soldering irons,” but they didn’t realize it until Thombre’s best friend fainted and had to go to the hospital.

Following this event, the pair launched an investigation into indoor pollution, identifying it as a silent threat in schools, offices, hotels, and salons. They noted that standard air purifiers, while effective at filtering particulate matter like dust and pollen, struggle to eliminate harmful gases. According to Saraf, these conventional devices are less effective at removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and benzine. These chemicals evaporate easily and are linked to chronic diseases and “sick building syndrome,” a condition where occupants suffer health effects without a clear diagnostic cause. Furthermore, research from Harvard University indicates that enhancing indoor air quality directly boosts cognitive function and productivity.

To address this gap, Thombre and Saraf founded Greenairy, a startup that will compete in Startup Battlefield 200 at this year’s TechCrunch Disrupt. Their solution involves innovative plant towers designed to accelerate the natural air-cleaning process of vegetation.

Saraf explained, “A plant in a pot cleans air slowly. But, when we change the conditions around the plant, it cleans air much faster and better than these conventional methods.”

Unlike traditional filters that require frequent replacement and target only a limited spectrum of pollutants, Greenairy’s system utilizes plants as a sustainable alternative. Saraf emphasized that while some purifier filters can remove “a narrow range of VOCs,” those filters need to be changed frequently to be effective. In contrast, plants are “a natural solution, no harmful by-products are formed, and no filter replacement is required.”

The company has already executed short-term pilot programs across various locations in Singapore. Using RESET-certified air monitors, Saraf’s team conducted comparative tests in three distinct office settings: one equipped with Greenairy towers, one using a medical-grade ionizer, and a third utilizing a HEPA air purifier. The results highlighted the superiority of the botanical approach for gas removal.

“Our tower had the lowest VOC levels and removed VOCs the fastest,” she said. “The office staff also grew fond of the natural ‘fresh’ aroma of the tower and the natural vibe it brought.”

Thombre reported seeing an “immediate” improvement during regular business hours, noting a 50% reduction in both daily average and peak VOC concentrations. She observed that efficacy increased further over time as the microbial ecosystem within the towers matured, preventing gas accumulation.

These findings have been validated by the German certification body TÜV SÜD, with full results expected to be published shortly. The founders plan to initiate large-scale manufacturing once certifications are finalized. Currently based on opposite sides of the globe, with Saraf in Berkeley, California, and Thombre in Singapore, the duo leverages this geographic spread to manage testing and fundraising operations simultaneously.

“If things go to plan, both of us will be in Singapore by the first half of 2027,” she added. “That’s when we expect to launch our first mass-produced towers and install them for our first customers” in Singapore.