How to Manage Odour in Pet Food Manufacturing: Proven Technologies & Regulatory Insights

Introduction

The pet food manufacturing industry has grown significantly in recent years, driven by increasing pet ownership and demand for high-quality, specialized pet nutrition. However, one of the persistent challenges in this sector is managing odours generated during production. The processing of animal proteins, fats, and other organic materials creates volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sulfur compounds, and amines, which produce strong, often unpleasant odours. These odours can affect worker safety, community relations, and regulatory compliance. Effective odour control is thus critical for operational success, environmental responsibility, and maintaining a positive public image.

This article explores the sources of odours in pet food manufacturing, their impact, and the technologies and strategies available for effective odour management. It also examines Regulations, industry best practices, and emerging innovations, providing a comprehensive guide for manufacturers seeking to mitigate odour-related challenges.

What Causes Odours in Pet Food Manufacturing?

Pet food manufacturing involves several processes that contribute to odour emissions, including raw material handling, cooking, extrusion, drying, and packaging. Understanding these sources is the first step in designing effective control measures.

1. Raw Material Handling

Pet food production often begins with the receipt and storage of raw materials such as meat, fish, poultry by-products, grains, and fats. These materials, particularly animal-based ingredients, can emit odours during unloading, storage, and preprocessing. Decomposition of organic matter, especially if storage conditions are suboptimal, exacerbates the issue.

2. Batching and Grinding

The raw materials or all the ingredients defined based on the formulation of the company, including protein sources such as fishmeal, chicken-meal etc. are grinded along with the other materials. During this time there will be VOC and dust generation, which will be handled in a bag filter. The dust gets trapped in the bag filter but the exhaust air after the bag filter will be having VOCs and that causes odour emission from the process.

3. Cooking

A key process in which animal by-products are cooked at high temperatures (often exceeding 120°C), leading to the release of VOCs, including aldehydes, ketones, and sulfur-containing compounds like hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). These compounds have low odour thresholds, meaning even small concentrations are detectable and potentially offensive.

4. Extrusion and Drying

Extrusion involves mixing, cooking, and shaping pet food under high pressure and temperature. The process releases steam and volatile compounds, contributing to odour emissions. Drying, used to reduce moisture content in kibble or treats, further volatilizes organic compounds, releasing them into the exhaust air.

5. Packaging and Storage

While less intense, odours can also arise during packaging if residual volatile compounds are released from freshly processed products. Improperly sealed storage areas may allow odours to escape into the surrounding environment.

Why Odour Control Matters in the Pet Food Industry

Odour emissions from pet food manufacturing have wide-ranging implications:

• Community Relations: Facilities located near residential areas often face complaints from neighbors about unpleasant smells. Persistent odours can strain relationships with local communities and harm a company’s reputation.
• Regulatory Compliance: Many countries have strict regulations governing odour emissions to protect public health and the environment. Non-compliance can result in fines, operational restrictions, or legal action.
• Worker Health and Safety: Prolonged exposure to odorous compounds, especially those like H₂S, can pose health risks to employees, including respiratory irritation and headaches.
• Environmental Impact: Some odorous compounds contribute to air pollution or greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating control to align with sustainability goals.

Given these impacts, effective odour control is not just a technical necessity but a strategic priority for pet food manufacturers.

Regulations Governing Odour Emissions

Odour regulations vary by region but generally aim to limit nuisance and protect air quality. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state-level agencies enforce standards under the Clean Air Act, which may include limits on VOCs and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Facilities must also comply with local zoning laws and nuisance ordinances.

In the European Union, the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU) sets guidelines for managing emissions, including odours, from industrial processes. Member states often have additional requirements, such as Germany’s Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA Luft), which specify odour thresholds.

In Australia, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in each state regulates odour emissions, often requiring facilities to conduct odour impact assessments and implement control measures. Similar frameworks exist in Canada, where provincial governments oversee compliance.

Pet food manufacturers must stay informed about applicable regulations and engage with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance. This often involves monitoring emissions, modeling odour dispersion, and reporting to authorities.

Top Odour Control Technologies for Pet Food Manufacturing

A range of technologies is available to control odours in pet food manufacturing, each suited to specific processes and compounds. These can be broadly categorized into physical, chemical, and biological methods, often used in combination for optimal results.

1. Physical Methods

• Ventilation and Containment: Proper ventilation systems capture odorous air at the source, preventing it from escaping into the environment. Capturing Fugitive emissions, especially from the extruder area, Enclosed processing areas and negative pressure systems help contain emissions.
• Adsorption: Activated carbon filters adsorb VOCs and odorous compounds from exhaust streams. These systems are effective for low-concentration odours but require regular replacement of carbon media.
• Thermal Oxidation: Thermal oxidizers and catalytic oxidizers combust VOCs at high temperatures, converting them into carbon dioxide and water. Regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs) are energy-efficient options widely used in pet food facilities.
• Condensation: Cooling exhaust gases condenses volatile compounds into liquid form, reducing odour emissions. This method is often used in saturated air treatment. Also used in pet food manufacturing plants having rendering plants for the raw material pre-treatment.

2. Chemical Methods

• Scrubbers: Wet scrubbers use water or chemical solutions (e.g., sodium hydroxide or Acids or chlorine dioxide or combination of other chemicals) to neutralize and remove odorous compounds like H₂S and amines. Packed-bed scrubbers are particularly effective for high-intensity odours.
• Ozonation: Ozone generators oxidize odorous compounds, breaking them down into less offensive molecules. This method is suitable for treating exhaust air but requires careful control to avoid ozone-related health risks and to destruct the unused ozone after the treatment, as ozone has it own distinctive smell and also due to its high Global Warming Potential (GWP).

3. Biological Methods

• Biofilters: Biofilters use microorganisms to degrade odorous compounds in a bed of organic material. They are cost-effective and environmentally friendly, ideal for treating large volumes of low-concentration odours.
• Bioscrubbers: Similar to wet scrubbers, bioscrubbers use a liquid medium containing microorganisms to break down odorous compounds. They are compact and effective for continuous operation.
• Biotrickling Filters: These combine elements of biofilters and bioscrubbers, using a synthetic medium irrigated with water to support microbial activity. They are highly efficient for treating sulfur compounds.

Best Practices for Pet Food Manufacturing Odour Management

Beyond installing control technologies, pet food manufacturers can adopt operational and strategic practices to minimize odours:

1. Process Optimization

• Temperature Control: Lowering cooking temperatures where possible reduces the release of volatile compounds.
• Material Handling: Prompt processing of raw materials and proper storage to avoid decomposition and odour generation.
• Cleaning Protocols: Regular cleaning of equipment and processing areas minimizes residual organic matter that can produce odours.

2. Facility Design

• Enclosed Systems: Designing facilities with enclosed processing units and sealed transfer systems reduces fugitive emissions.
• Stack Height and Placement: Exhaust stacks should be tall enough to disperse odours above ground level and positioned away from residential areas to minimize impact.
• Buffer Zones: Maintaining a distance between facilities and sensitive receptors (e.g., schools, homes) reduces odour complaints.

3. Monitoring and Modeling

• Odour Sampling: Regular sampling and analysis of emissions using olfactometry or gas chromatography identify problem areas and verify control effectiveness.
• Dispersion Modeling: Software tools like AERMOD or CALPUFF predict how odours will spread, helping manufacturers assess their impact on nearby communities.
• Real-Time Sensors: Electronic noses and gas sensors such as Odosnese of Oizom provide continuous monitoring, enabling rapid response to odour spikes.

4. Community Engagement

• Transparency: Communicating with local communities about odour control efforts builds trust and reduces complaints.
• Odour Logs: Encouraging residents to report odour incidents helps manufacturers correlate emissions with weather conditions or operational issues.
• Public Tours: Inviting community members to visit facilities demonstrates commitment to environmental stewardship.

5. Training and Maintenance

• Employee Training: Educating workers on odour control systems and best practices ensure consistent operation and early detection of issues.
• Preventive Maintenance: Regular inspection and servicing of scrubbers, oxidizers, and biofilters prevent malfunctions that could lead to odour releases.

Elixir Enviro Systems – Experts in Pet Food Odour Control

If you’re looking for reliable pet food odour control, Elixir Enviro Systems is your trusted partner. We specialize in industrial odour treatment, wastewater management, and biofiltration systems for factories and processing plants.

With years of experience, Elixir offers complete solutions—from design and installation to testing and maintenance. Whether your facility needs scrubbers, biofilters, RTOs, or real-time odour monitoring, we’ve got you covered.

Why Choose Elixir Enviro?

✅ Pioneer in Industrial Odour Control in India

✅ Largest player in India having treating about 1 Million cubic meter of air each hour

✅ Experts in pet food manufacturing odour control

✅ Custom solutions for industrial odour problems

✅ In-house R&D and simulation tools

✅ Onsite odour audits and pilot testing

✅ Solutions that meet all local and global regulations

Visit www.elixirenviro.in to learn more or contact us for a custom consultation on odour control for your facility.

Conclusion

Odour control in the pet food manufacturing industry is a multifaceted challenge requiring a combination of advanced technologies, operational best practices, and community engagement. By understanding the sources of odours—raw materials, batching-Grinding, extrusion, and wastewater—manufacturers can deploy targeted solutions like scrubbers, biofilters, and oxidizers. Regulatory compliance, worker safety, and environmental sustainability further underscore the importance of effective odour management.

As industry continues to grow, so too will the need for innovative, cost-effective, and eco-friendly odour control strategies. Manufacturers that invest in these solutions will not only mitigate risks but also strengthen their reputation as responsible corporate citizens. By prioritizing odour control, the pet food industry can ensure a harmonious coexistence with communities and a sustainable future for pet nutrition.

📌 FAQ Section

Q1. What causes odour in pet food manufacturing?

A: Odours are primarily caused by raw material handling, grinding & batching of ingredients, extrusion, drying, and improper wastewater management. These processes release VOCs, sulfur compounds, and amines.

Q2. How can odour emissions be controlled in pet food factories?

A: Odour control can be achieved using technologies like biofilters, wet scrubbers, regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs), and proper ventilation systems. Process optimization and regular maintenance also play a crucial role.

Q3. Are odour control systems mandatory for pet food manufacturers?

A: In many regions, yes. Regulatory bodies like the US EPA, EU’s Industrial Emissions Directive, and local environmental agencies require odour emissions to be controlled and monitored. Other locations around the globe mostly have nuisance law, meaning if the neighborhood complains, the factory might need to shut down until the issue is rectified. Considering this, the cost of installation of the Odour Control Unit surpasses the disadvantages of legal penalties, factory-closures and poor neighborhood relationships.

Q5. What role does Elixir Enviro Systems play in odour control?

A: Elixir Enviro Systems offers turnkey odour control solutions tailored to pet food manufacturing, including biofilters, scrubbers, oxidizers, and real-time monitoring. They also provide audits and pilot testing to ensure effectiveness.