Polyester Air Handling Unit: the Saniclim®
Ultra-hygienic, condensation-free technology: a Sodistra exclusive distributed in Canada by Soteck Clauger
Corrosion and condensation are destroying your metal power plants.
In the food and beverage industry, your air handling unit has two main enemies: corrosion and condensation. High-pressure washing damages the sheet metal, while environments containing salt, chlorine, or ammonia corrode the gaskets and rivets.
Condensation then forms on the cold walls and creates droplets directly above your production area. We see this problem in cheese factories, meat-curing facilities, meat-processing plants, and processing rooms. Replacing a rusted air-handling unit then becomes a costly and never-ending cycle.
This is where polyester composite makes all the difference: Saniclim® replaces sheet metal with a monocoque shell, similar to a boat’s hull. It doesn’t rust, it doesn’t develop condensation, and it withstands even the most aggressive detergents without ever deteriorating.
Saniclim®:
—a one-piece enclosure with no screws or rivets.
A unique assembly process: polyester lamination.
The Saniclim® is a corrosion-resistant air handling unit assembled without screws or nuts using a polyester laminate process. Each panel is bonded using this process, both inside and out, to form a single, seamless structure. The result: no areas where water can pool, no places for dirt to accumulate, and perfectly smooth surfaces.
The panels are reinforced with fiberglass (FRP) and coated with a white gelcoat that incorporates Sanitized treatment. This antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial treatment limits the growth of microorganisms between cleaning cycles. Your protocols are streamlined and your HACCP compliance is strengthened, without any extra effort on your team’s part.
No condensation, even with extreme temperature fluctuations.
A complete thermal break, integrated into the structure.
Condensation always forms in the same place: the thermal bridge, that cold spot where moisture settles. Saniclim® eliminates it at the source thanks to its layered construction, which creates a complete thermal break from floor to ceiling. It is the ultimate condensation-free air handling unit for the food industry.
The insulated panels maintain their mechanical strength from −50 °C to +45 °C, without any deformation in extreme cold. No condensation forms above your products. And since the enclosure is completely airtight, your energy losses disappear along with the condensation.
Designed to be washed, made to be easy to care for.
Every design detail simplifies your daily operations.
The raised floor incorporates slopes and counter-slopes that direct wash water toward the drains. These polyester drains are molded directly into the floor: nothing stagnates, nothing accumulates. The access doors combine a vacuum-injected door panel, a one-piece frame, and a tubular silicone gasket. Each closure thus ensures the plant’s watertightness and hygiene, without requiring any special adjustments or maintenance.
Dedicated access panels provide access to the heat exchangers, with dimensions tailored to those of the heat exchanger. Components can be replaced quickly, and your planned downtime is measurably reduced.
A power plant tailored exactlyto your factory's needs.
From a small utility room to a complete roof—no size restrictions.
Each Saniclim® unit is custom-built, with airflow rates ranging from 590 to 147,000 CFM (1,000 to 250,000 m³/h). The panel thickness can be adjusted from 1 ⅜ to 8 in. (35 to 200 mm), depending on your thermal requirements.
- The air inlets and outlets can be positioned according to your project: on the ceiling, sides, floor, or ends.
- It can be installed both indoors and outdoors, as the casing is resistant to UV rays, rain, and salty environments.
- Delivery is made as a single unit or in modules to be assembled on site, depending on your access conditions.
- Additional options are available: inspection window, cable grommets, interior LED lighting, and a rain visor.
The Benefits of Switching to Polyester Composite
Our customers always compare polyester to sheet metal before making a decision. This table summarizes what tips the scales.
| What we eliminate | What you earn | The impact on your decision |
|---|---|---|
|
Corrosion of Metal Boxes |
A coating that is resistant to salt, chlorine, and ammonia |
End of the repair-replacement cycle; significantly extended service life |
|
Condensation on the walls |
Complete thermal break |
Not a single drop wasted in your production; measurable energy savings year after year. |
|
Screws, Rivets, and Retention Areas |
Smooth surfaces that can be cleaned with even the most corrosive chemicals |
Prepare for your HACCP audits faster and without any surprises |
|
The Weight of Metal Structures |
A power plant that is 30% lighter than its sheet-metal counterpart |
Fewer structural reinforcements; simplified roof installation |
|
Extended downtime at the facility |
Delivery as a single unit or in modules, with assembly in Canada |
A well-managed timeline and a single local point of contact |
Sodistra is the manufacturer; Soteck Clauger is the exclusive distributor in Canada.
We combine the expertise of a European pioneer with our Quebec know-how.
Sodistra has been designing polyester composite air-handling solutions since 1971. Its systems are used in Europe’s most demanding environments: the food processing industry, cleanrooms, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry. Soteck Clauger is the exclusive distributor of the Saniclim® line throughout Canada.
Our role goes far beyond simply supplying the product: we select components tailored to the North American market and assemble the units in Canada. Our teams analyze your airflow requirements, size the system, perform the installation, and train your staff. We then remain your single point of contact throughout the unit’s entire lifecycle.
North American certifications and approvals are currently being validated.
Need a simpler anti-corrosion solution? Discover Basiclim®.
Saniclim® meets the ultra-hygienic requirements of the most stringent sanitary environments. If your main concern is corrosion—with no specific sanitary requirements—Basiclim® is the solution for you. It offers the same durability as the polyester composite, in a cost-effective version assembled from pultruded profiles. Visit the Basiclim® page to compare the two product lines and identify the right configuration.
We provide maintenance for your power plant, season after season.
Your Saniclim® is included in our service and maintenance programs.
A high-performance power plant requires structured monitoring, from commissioning through end of life. Our service teams inspect the housing, filters, and components at regular intervals. We serve all of Eastern Canada, with emergency service available around the clock. A preventive maintenance program extends the lifespan of your equipment and ensures consistent performance, year after year.
5 Frequently Asked Questions About the Saniclim® Unit
1- What is the service life of a polyester composite air handling unit?
The polyester composite shell does not rust and can withstand repeated washings, far better than a galvanized sheet metal enclosure. Spot repairs are made by lamination, without replacing an entire panel, which significantly reduces the total cost of ownership.
2- Is Saniclim® designed to withstand the climate in Quebec and Canada?
Yes. The panels maintain their mechanical strength down to −50 °C, with no risk of warping even in the depths of winter. The cladding is resistant to frost, UV rays, and freeze-thaw cycles, making it suitable for outdoor installation on roofs. The complete elimination of thermal bridges prevents condensation, even during extreme temperature fluctuations.
3- Can the interior be cleaned with chemicals used in the food industry?
Absolutely. Gelcoat surfaces are resistant to even the most corrosive cleaning agents used in food processing plants. The absence of screws, rivets, and retention areas simplifies cleaning-in-place, and the Sanitized treatment limits bacterial growth between cycles.
4- Is Saniclim® suitable for use in direct contact with the air in a food production area?
Yes. The panel material is approved for food contact and has been tested for VOC emissions. The smooth surfaces and drained flooring meet the requirements for food-processing environments, which simplifies your efforts to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
5- Is a polyester control panel more expensive than a sheet-metal control panel?
At the time of purchase, the difference is modest, but over the equipment’s lifespan, polyester clearly comes out on top. You eliminate corrosion, recurring repairs, and premature equipment replacement. You’ll also reduce energy losses thanks to the enclosure’s airtight design, resulting in a measurable return on investment within the first few years.
The right partner in air treatment makes all the difference.
Choosing an air handling unit for corrosive environments in Quebec requires more than just a catalog: you need a partner who understands your actual operating conditions. Our teams deliver projects at cheese factories, meat-curing facilities, dairies, and processing plants throughout Eastern Canada. We size each polyester composite air handling unit according to your airflow rates, temperatures, and cleaning protocols. We also upgrade existing air handling units at active sites. Are you comparing options to replace a corroded air handling unit? Our engineers will review your plans and recommend the Saniclim® configuration best suited to your site.
Let's talk about your air-handling project
Every installation is unique, and so is our approach: we assess your environment and recommend the hygienic processing plant best suited to your specific needs. Whether you’re building a new facility or modernizing an existing one, we’ll support you every step of the way.