Announced in Sweden in December 2025, the first Atlas Copco oil-free scroll air compressors from the SFe series—manufactured in Italy with compression elements sourced from Belgium—are now available on the market. These are compact and functional machines designed for applications that require continuous, completely oil-free compressed air for a few hours per day.
Oil-free air is essential in many industrial processes. In the chemical-pharmaceutical sector it is crucial for maintaining sterile environments; in the food industry it prevents contamination of products intended for consumption; and in precision electronics it avoids corrosion and damage to components. Compressed air quality is regulated by the ISO 8573-1 standard, which defines air purity classes. Atlas Copco was among the first manufacturers to develop and promote completely oil-free air technology and to obtain ISO 8573-1 certification for air purity standards.
“These systems represent the ideal bridge between oil-free piston compressors—more affordable but also noisier and subject to greater vibrations—and the SF+ scroll compressors, which are more advanced and high-performing but also more expensive,” says Andrea Trezzzi, Product Marketing Manager at Atlas Copco Italy – Compressor Division. “SFe units are compact and quiet machines with low operating costs. They are the ideal solution for chemical-pharmaceutical laboratories, healthcare facilities, and food or electronic component manufacturing plants. Thanks to their simple and ‘open’ design, without a sound enclosure, they can be installed directly close to working areas.”
The technology
The SFe 2-6 series compressors have been designed to deliver completely oil-free air, compliant with ISO 8573 Class 0 certification. This purity is ensured by oil-less technology: during the compression process there is no contact between moving parts, eliminating the need for lubrication and ensuring reliable and safe air delivery.
Key features of these systems include a high-efficiency air inlet filter that protects the transmission, aluminum piping, and an oversized cooler designed to guarantee stable and efficient performance. The IE3 Premium Efficiency motor and the air-cooled scroll element also help significantly reduce energy consumption. Maintenance operations are quick and simple, as all components are easily accessible.
In addition to the base model—without cooler and air receiver—a Full Feature version is also available, equipped with a refrigeration dryer and an optional 90- or 270-liter air receiver.
atlascopco.com