Industrial odors, also known as odorous emissions, are mixtures of volatile compounds that produce an unpleasant and persistent olfactory perception. They are not just a nuisance: according to the European Environment Agency (EEA), odors are among the main causes of environmental complaints near industrial plants, landfills, and waste treatment facilities.
In Italy, the management of industrial odorous emissions is addressed by Legislative Decree 152/2006 and regional guidelines, while at European level the UNI EN 13725 standard defines methods for sampling and olfactometric analysis.
For companies, addressing odorous emissions means not only improving air quality, but also preventing disputes, complying with emission limits, and ensuring a healthier working environment.
Odors perceived outside industrial plants originate from compounds released during chemical, biological, or thermal processes. The main groups of responsible substances include:
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) such as aldehydes, solvents, and alcohols
Sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and mercaptans
Nitrogen compounds such as ammonia and amines
Organic acids generated by fermentation or decomposition processes
These emissions are typical of many industrial and infrastructural contexts, including:
landfills and waste treatment plants
wastewater treatment facilities
chemical and pharmaceutical industries
food and feed industries
drying plants
composting facilities and intensive agriculture
In all these cases, the objective is to capture gaseous pollutants and abate them before they are released into the atmosphere.
Treating odorous emissions requires more than simply identifying them: the compounds that generate odors must be neutralized or degraded at the source. HFiltration provides a comprehensive portfolio of technologies including scrubbers, biofilters, activated carbon, and thermal oxidizers, designed to adapt to emissions of different nature, concentration, and flow rate.
Each process requires a specific approach, and selecting the most effective technology depends on the type of pollutant, the industrial sector, and the emission limits that must be met.
HFiltration designs custom-made odor abatement systems, developed according to airflow rates, pollutant concentrations, emission limits, and the specific characteristics of each industrial process.
Our industrial filtration solutions ensure high removal efficiency even for complex emissions, operational continuity, low operating costs, and seamless integration with existing plants.
Correctly managing odors is not only about complying with regulations: it also helps to maintain a positive relationship with the local area, prevent reports from the community, and strengthen the company's reputation as a reliable and environmentally conscious company.
These systems are ideal for companies looking to improve air quality, reduce environmental impact, and ensure healthier and safer working environments.
Would you like to learn more about the most effective technologies for eliminating industrial odors?