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VOC abatement in industry: a comparison of technologies

Written by Cindy Vargas | Sep 9, 2025 6:45:00 AM

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are among the main contributors to air pollution in industrial environments. Present in many production processes, VOCs not only pose a risk to workers’ health but also contribute to the deterioration of air quality due to their prolonged release and significant odor impact.

These substances, in fact, can persist in the environment for weeks, saturating the air with unpleasant and intense odors, with negative effects not only inside plants but also in surrounding areas.

To reduce environmental impact and comply with increasingly stringent regulations on industrial emissions, it is essential to adopt effective and reliable abatement systems. HF Group offers proven technological solutions for the treatment and reduction of VOCs.

1. Activated carbon filters: effective for low and medium concentrations.

Activated carbon filtration is one of the most popular technologies for VOC abatement. It is based on the principle of adsorption: volatile organic compound molecules bind to the porous surface of activated carbon granules, which act as a chemical “sponge.”

Ideal for:

  • Emissions with moderate concentrations of VOCs
  • Treatment of industrial odors
  • Environments requiring compact and quiet solutions

Advantages:

  • Simple and proven technology
  • High removal efficiency for numerous compounds
  • Also suitable for decentralized installations

2. Regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO): highest efficiency for high concentrations.

When VOCs are present in high concentrations or their nature makes adsorption difficult, regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO) technologies are used. The principle is simple: VOCs are destroyed through high-temperature thermal treatment (around 800 °C), transforming them into harmless substances such as CO₂ and steam. The RTO system recovers most of the heat generated, making the process highly energy efficient.

Ideal for:

  • Sectors with continuous emissions and high air volumes
  • Treatment of highly concentrated VOCs
  • Plants requiring high efficiency (>99%)

Advantages:

  • High abatement efficiency
  • Suitable for a wide range of organic compounds
  • Low operating costs thanks to heat recovery

3. Wet scrubbers: versatile solution for soluble VOCs.

Wet scrubbers (or washing towers) use a liquid solution to "wash" exhaust gases and absorb the compounds present. They are effective for water-soluble VOCs or emissions containing a mixture of dust and gases.

Ideal for:

  • Treatment of partially water-soluble VOCs
  • Plants where you want to combine gas and dust abatement
  • Contexts where flexibility in treatment is needed

Advantages:

  • Good efficiency with low temperatures and variable flow rates
  • Ability to treat odors and dust simultaneously
  • Simplified management for many plant types

4. Biofilters: the natural solution for emissions with high organic loads.

Biofilters use natural microorganisms to degrade VOCs, channeling air through an organic filter bed where the compounds are transformed into harmless substances such as water and CO₂.

Ideal for:

  • Treatment of emissions with high concentrations of biodegradable VOCs
  • Plants with biological or fermentation processes
  • Companies looking for a solution with low environmental impact

Advantages:

  • High efficiency on easily biodegradable compounds
  • Minimal energy impact and low operating costs
  • Environmentally friendly solution, with no production of hazardous by-products

How to choose the most effective VOC abatement technology.

Each technology has its own strengths and ideal conditions of use. The choice of the right system for VOC abatement in industrial emissions depends on several factors: type and concentration of compounds, airflow to be treated, chemical and physical characteristics of emissions, process continuity, and regulatory or environmental constraints.

For this reason, HF Group offers tailor-made solutions, designed based on the real needs of the plant. Whether it is activated carbon, RTO, wet scrubbers, or biofilters, our goal is to provide efficient, reliable, and sustainable technologies capable of improving air quality and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Contact us for a personalized consultation: we will analyze your situation together and guide you in choosing the best technology for reducing VOC emissions in your business.