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Odor Elimination in Recycled Plastics: Characterization & Mitigation Strategies

Odor Elimination in Recycled Plastics: Characterization & Mitigation Strategies
Language: English
Length: 90 min
Nov 17, 2025 03:00 PM
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Course Description

Odor in recycled plastics is tough to diagnose and tougher to fix. Mixed feedstocks, legacy contaminants, and thermal history generate volatile compounds that fail VOC/FOG specs and trigger customer rejections. Teams often lack a repeatable way to trace odor back to source, choose the right test method, and select a mitigation route that works at line speed without hurting properties or costing.
This course gives you a clear, end-to-end workflow from root-cause identification to characterization (instrumental + sensory) and mitigation (process adjustments, deodorization/washing, adsorption/scavengers, controlled masking). You’ll leave with practical guardrails you can apply to rPP, rPE, rPET, and more - plus how to show before/after evidence your customers will accept.
140+
Students
Intermediate
Level
Luis Roca
Luis Roca
AIMPLAS
0 courses

Luis Roca is the Head of the Compounding Department at AIMPLAS. He is an experienced polymer researcher specializing in compounding.

Throughout his career, Luis has worked as an R&D project developer, either as the lead or supporting researcher, collaborating with plastic companies to modify or enhance polymer properties across regional, national, and European projects. He has contributed to various projects involving nanomaterials, biopolymers, flame retardancy, natural fibers, electrical conductivity, and recycling.

With over 15 years of experience in processing a wide range of polymers—including commodity plastics, starch-based biopolymers, technical polymers, and high-performance materials—Luis has also delivered more than 3,000 hours of training courses to companies in areas such as compounding, additives, fillers, and injection molding. Additionally, he has presented at numerous seminars organized by AIMPLAS and at various conferences related to plastic modification and recycling.

See Tutor Profile
Why should you view this course?

Because you need results that survive the factory, the lab, and the customer meeting. In this course, you’ll learn exactly how to measure, decide, and validate, using tools and routes that balance odor reduction, mechanicals, compliance, and unit cost.

  1. A practical playbook, not theory: Diagnose → characterize → mitigate → validate, with do/don’t tips that prevent costly dead ends.

  2. Right tool for the job: Know when to use instrumental analysis vs sensory panels, and how sampling affects your conclusions.

  3. Mitigation with eyes open: Compare process, wash, adsorption/scavenger, and masking routes, including trade-offs for properties, throughput, and cost.

Who should join this course?

  • Recyclers & converters running wash, extrusion, or compounding lines for rPP, rPE, rPET, etc.

  • Process & quality engineers responsible for odor, VOC/FOG checks, and customer approvals.

  • Application/technical managers & buyers at OEMs/brand owners evaluating recycled resin options.

  • Complete the course and (unlock your personalized certificate)– your badge of accomplishment awaits!

  • This course is suitable for intermediate level proficiency
    Intermediate
Questions you will be able to answer after this course:

  1. Which characterization method (instrumental, e-nose, sensory panel) best fits my resin, stream, and end-use, and how should I sample to get reliable data?

  2. What are the most probable odor sources in my recycled feed, and how can I confirm them quickly?

  3. Given my polymer specification and budget, which mitigation route, process adjustment, wash, adsorption/scavenger, or masking, makes the most sense?

  4. How can I set up a simple before/after validation that convinces both internal QA and external customers?

  5. What trade-offs in mechanicals, throughput, and compliance should I expect for each mitigation option?

  6. How can I present results so stakeholders approve faster and scale-up moves forward smoothly?

Course Outline

Odor Sources & Problem Framing

  • Main sources in rPP, rPE, rPET: feedstocks, contaminants, thermal history
  • Application-specific VOC/FOG constraints

Characterization & Sampling

  • Instrumental methods (GC), e-nose, sensory panels: when and why
  • Sampling/handling for reliable results
  • Building a simple, effective test plan

Mitigation Strategies

  • Process levers: drying, venting, temperature control
  • Deodorization/washing: benefits, limits, line-fit
  • Adsorption/scavengers: selection, dosage, impact
  • Controlled masking: acceptable uses and limits

Validation & Communication

  • Before/after proof for QA and customers
  • Packaging, consumer goods, and automotive examples
  • Presenting data for fast stakeholder approval

Key Takeaways

  • Recap the diagnose → characterize → mitigate → validate workflow
  • Prioritize next steps for quick results
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Prerequisites for this course

Best suited for those with basic polymer processing knowledge, familiarity with VOC/odor testing, and experience in plastic recycling.

30 min Q & As for this course
Interact directly with your tutor and clarify your doubts
  1. 30 mins per session for Questions and Answers
  2. Clarify your doubts.
  3. If your questions are not answered, dont worry you will recieve tutor’s reply via email after sessions.
Odor Elimination in Recycled Plastics: Characterization & Mitigation Strategies
€299
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