TECHNOLOGY | ODOUR REDUCTION
Right: The e-nose
developed by UK and Australian researchers is the size of a credit card and can classify rapid odour fluctuations up to 60 Hz
generate reliable data that can be scaled up directly to industrial systems. To handle materials efficiently, the GSF counter-
flow screen separates lightweight fractions like films and flakes from heavier materials without the need for moving parts, enabling maintenance-free operation with up to 25 m³/hr throughput. For blending, Zeppelin offers static homogenisation systems that ensure uniform material quality, operating quietly and without added energy input. “As a global plant manufacturer and a founda- tion-owned company, we develop sustainable recycling solutions and processes for our custom- ers. We are involved in every phase of the project,” said Hubert Stojanovic, Vice President (Sales) of the performance materials business section of Zeppe- lin Systems.
Stripping agent Aimplas, the Spain-based research group, has
investigated supercritical CO₂ as a stripping agent to address odour challenges in compounding, noting its use in other industries for aroma extrac- tion or caffeine removal. In its supercritical state
(above 31.1° C and 73.8 bar), CO₂ combines gas-like diffusivity with liquid-like solvating power, allowing it to deeply penetrate the polymer matrix and selectively extract low molecular weight species such as VOCs and odorants. The main challenge is to achieve supercritical conditions inside a twin-screw compounding extruder. These extruders work at lower pressures and so a special screw profile and processing conditions are
needed to keep CO₂ in supercritical conditions. Aimplas said that in its research work, it has achieved pressure over 100 bar. It is developing the process to be used with more polymers and at higher pressures to widen the possibilities for using
supercritical CO₂ to remove VOCs and odour during compounding.
42 COMPOUNDING WORLD | July 2025
Recent advancements in electronic nose (e-nose) technology have led to the development of a miniaturised, high-speed device capable of detecting and classifying odours with unprecedent- ed speed and precision. A collaborative effort by researchers from the University of Hertfordshire, University College London, the Francis Crick Institute in the UK, and Western Sydney University in Australia, has resulted in an e-nose system that can identify odour pulses within tens of milliseconds, surpassing the olfactory processing speed of mice. This compact device, approximately the size of a
credit card, integrates high-bandwidth sensor readouts with tightly controlled sensing parameters and advanced algorithms. The system’s design allows for the classification of rapid odour fluctua- tions at frequencies up to 60 Hz, a capability previously unattainable in miniaturised, low-power settings.
While the technology is still in the research
phase, it has significant potential in plastics compounding when used as part of robot-assisted monitoring. The ability to monitor VOCs in real- time during the compounding process could enhance quality control and ensure compliance with stringent odour and VOC regulations. As the technology matures, it is expected to transition from laboratory settings to industrial applications, offering a powerful tool for odour detection and analysis. The research was published in November 2024, in the journal Science Advances.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.aqdot.com �
www.evonik.com �
www.avient.com �
www.caiadditives.com �
www.zeppelin-systems.com �
www.aimplas.net �
www.herts.ac.uk
www.compoundingworld.com
IMAGE: UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
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