Mini air purifier, currently popular in the foreign market: "Clair"

The four days of fine dust following the three days of cold wave is known as 'Sam Han Sa Mi,' showing us how the air quality is rapidly deteriorating. People are searching for better air, becoming ‘air nomads.'

Due to the fine dust problem, air purifiers are now crucial in this age. Each household has an air purifier in the living room, and the demand for clean air in one’s private spaces is also increasing.

Clair is a miniature air purifier corporation that foresaw this change beforehand. They took responsibility in providing cleaner air for small spaces and rooms, developing the miniature air purifiers that are now surpassed the domestic market and are now leading the world market. Clair is a global Small but Powerful Giant.

Clair products

CEO Lee Woo-hyun (Brandon Lee) of Clair corporation states that “I started Clair after leaving my previous workplace in June 2014, because I expected the age of air purifiers to come soon due to the annually worsening air pollution. In the case of the domestic markets, houses of 33~66 square meters are taken over by the Big Three electronic conglomerates LG, Samsung, and Winigseu. Rental services are monopolized by Coway. But is it enough just to have clean air in the living room? So, Clair is focusing on the “Room Air Purifier” market, to have cleaner air in smaller spaces around 16~26 square meters.”

Due to Mr. Lee’s visions, Clair had no problem attaining investments from both domestic and international partners. Around the same time as their establishment Clair used the ClairB Model in a Kickstarter Crowdfund, and was able to gain funding from Indiegogo Crowdfund, Makuake of Japan, Wadiz of Korea, and JD Crowdfund of China.

CEO Lee Woo-hyun (Brandon Lee) of Clair CEO

Q. What are Clair’s strengths?

A. Clair has been investing in sound, sterilization, and design ever since their establishment. Their miniature air purifiers have to be quiet and aesthetically pleasing, while using little energy even with 24 hour usage. As a result, Clair was able to gain various authentication not only in Korea but also the U.S. and Europe. The corporation is known for their unique design in the domestic and foreign markets.

Q. Please tell us Clair’s efforts in increasing design and product quality.

A. “2017 has been a meaningful year” for both Clair and Mr. Lee. This was the start of their worldwide recognition and launch into the international markets. By launching the sound therapy air purifier ClairS and antibacterial deodorant ClairV, the corporation was awarded KOTRA Export grand prize as well as the Ministry of SMEs and Startups prize. In 2018, they were also able to launch into Swiss Coflex ODM, Indonesia ACE Hardwares, and Hong Kong’s largest health and beauty drugstore corporation, Manning. In 2019 they reached 100,000 in sales from their automobile air purifier ClairH and ClairV. This year Clair released two new models, ClairK and ClairHC (also known as Jang Nara Air Purifiers), and received the honor of being titled first place in Korea Satisfaction Brand Index and Consumer Preference Brand Index, as well as being selected as Global Premium Living Goods.


Clair is now distributing through OEM to world’s largest baby product corporation, the United States’ Munchkin corporation.

Q. What are the market responses?

A. Clair accomplished 2018's sales in the first half of 2020. Things were quite chaotic in Hong Kong until now, but things are becoming normalized and we recorded exports of 3 million U.S. dollars in the first half of this year. With this momentum, I believe it will be possible for us to accomplish sales of 20 billion U.S. dollars despite COVID-19. Face-to-face meetings have come to a halt due to COVID-19 so we are concentrating on advancing into Amazon, E-bay and the online market. I also believe our designs and colors are grabbing the attention of consumers.



Q. What is Clair’s future plans and goals?

A. The world is going to become a “Meconomy” era in the near future, due to the increase of people living alone. Also, various skin and allergy problems from air pollution is becoming a worldwide issue. These are the reasons why we believe the future of air purifiers is bright. Our goal is to have at least three Clair Air Purifiers per household.

Clair will try its best to meet the demands of our customers as fast as possible. We look forward to your interest and support.”

[Editor's Note: Money Today collaborates with the Seoul Business Agency to release articles all year round so that competent SMEs with technical abilities can expand their markets. The Seoul Business Agency operates a platform brand known as 'SEOUL MADE,' which works to heighten the brand competitiveness of SMEs in Seoul.]