---
title: What is odour control technology?
description: Odour control technology is any of a range of methods and materials aimed at neutralizing, absorbing, or transforming unpleasant smells.
image: https://blog.aqdot.com/hubfs/What%20is%20odour%20control%20technology%201.svg
---
[](https://aqdot.com/)
- [Home](https://aqdot.com/)
- [Our technology](https://aqdot.com/our-technology/)
- Applications
- [Home & Pet Care](https://aqdot.com/application/home-pet-care/)
- [Deodorants](https://aqdot.com/application/deodorants/)
- [Absorbent Hygiene](https://aqdot.com/application/absorbent-hygiene/)
- [Automotive Interiors](https://aqdot.com/application/automotive-interiors/)
- [News](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/)
- [Resources](https://aqdot.com/resources/)
- [Innovation Expertise](https://aqdot.com/innovation-expertise/)
- About us
- [Our Team](https://aqdot.com/our-team/)
- [Careers](https://aqdot.com/careers/)
- [Contact us](https://aqdot.com/contact-us/)
[News](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/tag/news)
# What is odour control technology?
[Aqdot](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/author/aqdot)
[twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.aqdot.com/news/what-is-odour-control-technology) [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.aqdot.com/news/what-is-odour-control-technology) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.aqdot.com/news/what-is-odour-control-technology)
### ODOUR CONTROL TECHNOLOGY
Odour control technology is any of a range of methods and materials aimed at neutralizing, absorbing, or transforming unpleasant smells. It can be used in a wide variety of applications from air fresheners to factory emissions to off-gassing product odours.
It goes beyond simply masking malodour with fragrance, to tackling the most stubborn smells and eliminating some quite toxic molecules from the air. 69% of consumers are more concerned about the problem of indoor air quality since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a survey by Aqdot.
### What are the different types of odour control technologies available?
- **Physical adsorption:** Some materials act as odour molecule sponges, utilising attractive forces such as hydrogen bonding and van der Waals, to sequester malodorous molecules.
- Activated carbon: This porous material has a high internal surface area that acts like a giant maze, trapping odour molecules within its network of pores.
- Zeolite: Similar to activated carbon, zeolites are minerals with a honeycomb-like structure that captures odour molecules through adsorption.
- **Chemical neutralization:** Targeted chemical reactions transform odorous compounds into neutral or even pleasant by-products.
- Oxidation: Chemical reactions involving ozone, chlorine dioxide, or hydroxyl radicals break down or transform odour molecules into other molecules.
- Neutralization: Specific chemical agents react with odour molecules to form odourless salts or other stable compounds.
- **Biodegradation:** Naturally occurring bacteria and enzymes breakdown and metabolize odour-causing molecules.
- Enzymes: Naturally occurring enzymes break down odour-causing molecules into odourless components.
- Bacteria: Engineered bacterial strains target and consume specific odour compounds.
- **Antimicrobial coatings:** Antimicrobial actives inhibit the growth of odour-producing bacteria on fabrics and coatings.
- Antimicrobial fabrics and coatings: These materials inhibit the growth of odour-producing bacteria on the surface, preventing odour formation at the source.
- Odour-absorbing polymers: Some polymers are designed to capture and bind odour molecules, releasing them slowly upon washing or heating.
- **Air filtration systems:** Used in industrial applications and consumer ones like air purifiers, vacuum cleaners and cooker hoods
- High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters capture some bacteria that cause odours, while activated carbon filters can adsorb small gaseous odours.
### 
### What is the advantage of using cucurbiturils to control odours via adsorption?
- **Non-toxic** and create no harmful bi-products unlike oxidation and neutralisation.
- **Skin friendly** as they are **non-biocidal**, unlike antimicrobial coatings, such as silver which is banned in many forms and applications.
- **Work instantly** whereas biodegradation requires time for microorganisms to break down the odours.
- **Effective against a broad range of malodours**, including acids, aldehydes, amines, and thiols, whereas cyclodextrin, activated carbon (often used in air filtration) or other metal actives work on a limited range of malodour types
- **Highly versatile** as it works in wet & dry environments at a wide pH and temperature range and can be incorporated into liquids, gels, nonwovens, coated textiles, plastics, and fibres.
- **Minimal desorption** as AqFresh™ can bind strongly to malodour molecules whereas activated carbon readily desorbs and cyclodextrin releases malodours in a humid environment.
### 
### Are cucurbiturils widely available for odour control?
- AqFresh™ is the patented odour control technology consisting of cucurbiturils, uniquely available for license & supply from Aqdot.
- AqFresh™ is already in market in air-care, personal care, pet care and automotive after-care, and will be in nonwoven absorbent hygiene products and textiles in 2024.
Click here to find out more about [AqFresh™ odour control technology](https://aqdot.com/products/advanced-odour-elimination/) or complete the contact form below.
### Leave a Comment
## Related Articles
[](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/48-hour-odour-protection-for-deodorants)
[News](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/tag/news)
### [48-hour odour protection for deodorants with AqFresh™ technology – free consumer insights report](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/48-hour-odour-protection-for-deodorants)
### 48-hour odour protection for deodorants with AqFresh™ technology – free consumer insights report
### **Clinically Proven Patented Technology**
AqFresh™ odour capture...
[Aqdot](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/author/aqdot)
[Read More](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/48-hour-odour-protection-for-deodorants)
[](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/download-our-free-innovation-marketing-case-study-read-the-7-critical-success-factors)
[News](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/tag/news)
### [Download our free innovation marketing case study | Read the 7 critical success factors](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/download-our-free-innovation-marketing-case-study-read-the-7-critical-success-factors)
Download our free innovation marketing case study. Compelling innovation concepts are built on a core insight that resonates strongly with consumers, inspired by...
[Aqdot](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/author/aqdot)
[Read More](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/download-our-free-innovation-marketing-case-study-read-the-7-critical-success-factors)
#### Site Map
- [Home](https://aqdot.com/)
- [Our technology](https://aqdot.com/our-technology/)
- Applications
- [Home & Pet Care](https://aqdot.com/application/home-pet-care/)
- [Deodorants](https://aqdot.com/application/deodorants/)
- [Absorbent Hygiene](https://aqdot.com/application/absorbent-hygiene/)
- [Automotive Interiors](https://aqdot.com/application/automotive-interiors/)
- [News](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/)
- [Resources](https://aqdot.com/resources/)
- [Innovation Expertise](https://aqdot.com/innovation-expertise/)
- About us
- [Our Team](https://aqdot.com/our-team/)
- [Careers](https://aqdot.com/careers/)
- [Contact us](https://aqdot.com/contact-us/)
#### Our Details
Iconix Park
London Road
Cambridge
CB22 3EG (UK)
[info@aqdot.com](mailto:info@aqdot.com)
[+44 (0) 1223 928 000](tel:+44%20(0)%201223%20928%20000)
ⓒ Aqdot Limited – [Privacy Policy](https://aqdot.com/privacy-policy/) – [Data Protection Policy](https://aqdot.com/data-protection-policy/) – All Rights Reserved – Website Built by [Evil Donkey](https://evildonkey.co.uk)
### HELPING YOU ADVANCE YOUR WORLD
#### Site map
- [Home](https://aqdot.com/)
- [Our products & solutions](https://aqdot.com/products/advanced-odour-elimination/)
- [Your industries](https://aqdot.com/industries/home-and-pet-care/)
- [Working with us](https://aqdot.com/working-with-us/analytical-odour-testing/)
- [News](https://blog.aqdot.com/aqfresh-odour-elimination-news/)
- [Contact us](https://aqdot.com/contact-us/)
#### Sign up to our monthly newsletter
[Sign up](https://share.hsforms.com/1dXrDyNeuQOasJzweW4v4Bg3tavr)
#### Our details
Iconix Park
London Road
Cambridge
CB22 3EG
United Kingdom
[info@aqdot.com](mailto:info@aqdot.com) [+44 (0) 1223 928 000](tel:+44%20(0)%201223%20928%20000)
-
-
[Policies](https://aqdot.com/privacy-policy/) | 2018 Copyright ©Aqdot Limited | All Rights Reserved | Designed by [The Allotment](https://theallotment.co/)
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Aqdot",
"url" : "https://blog.aqdot.com/news/author/aqdot"
},
"dateModified" : "2024-08-22T12:56:40.043Z",
"datePublished" : "2024-04-18T15:17:00.000Z",
"headline" : "What is odour control technology?",
"image" : [ "https://blog.aqdot.com/hubfs/What%20is%20odour%20control%20technology%201.svg" ],
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://blog.aqdot.com/news/what-is-odour-control-technology",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject"
},
"name" : "Aqdot Limited"
}
}
```