New High-Purity Product Recognized in Plumbing Category Among 20 Entries
Viega, a global leader in press connection and piping system solutions, has earned finalist recognition in the plumbing category of the 2027 AHR Expo Innovation Awards for its new Cleaned and Bagged product line. The category drew an impressive 20 entries, highlighting the breadth of innovation across the plumbing industry.
The annual competition, co-sponsored by AHR Expo, ASHRAE and AHRI, honors innovative products, systems and technologies featured at the show. Entries are evaluated by a panel of third-party ASHRAE member judges on innovative design, creativity, application, value and market impact.
“For contractors and engineers working in high-purity environments, maintaining cleanliness and keeping projects on schedule are essential,” said Lars Erkelenz, Vice President, Product Management, Viega North America. “Cleaned and Bagged brings those priorities together through our controlled cleaning and packaging process and the speed and reliability of press technology. This AHR recognition reinforces the value of developing practical solutions for the challenges our customers face every day.”
Viega’s Cleaned and Bagged line features press fittings that are cleaned, inspected and individually sealed through Viega’s quality-controlled process. Each component is packaged in a controlled environment meeting ISO Class 8 cleanliness requirements or better, helping protect against contamination during transportation, storage and jobsite handling until installation.
“Cleaned and Bagged came to life by listening to our customers and understanding the challenges they face in high-purity installations,” said Todd Schwarzenbach, Chief Customer Officer, Viega North America. “Their input helped us focus on a solution that simplifies preparation, saves labor and delivers the confidence these demanding applications require. We brought this product to market faster than any previous Viega innovation because we saw a clear customer need and rallied our teams to solve it.”
Designed for pharmaceutical manufacturing, semiconductor and microelectronics facilities, research laboratories and other high-purity environments, the products are cleaned to Cleaned for Oxygen Service (CFOS) requirements.* Individual packaging provides a ready-to-install solution that reduces jobsite preparation, while compatibility with existing Viega press tools allows contractors to use a familiar installation process.
Like other Viega press systems, Cleaned and Bagged eliminates the need for hot work and provides secure, consistent connections. By combining controlled cleanliness with flame-free installation and a warrantied offering, the line helps project teams address safety, labor and reliability needs in sensitive environments.
The 2027 AHR Expo will take place January 25–27 in Chicago. For more information about Viega’s Cleaned and Bagged systems, visit viega.us.
*Not for use with medical gas systems (NFPA 99) or food-contact applications.
