---
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.
---

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# [What is odour control technology?](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/what-is-odour-control-technology)

 Written by [Aqdot](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/author/aqdot) | April 18, 2024

### 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. 

 

[View full post](https://blog.aqdot.com/news/what-is-odour-control-technology)

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