Skip to main content

Exhaust air purification in rendering plants and rendering plants – reliably controlling odors and emissions

Oxytec systems are also suitable for extremely polluted exhaust air flows from the recycling of animal by-products.

Covering plants, rendering plants (TKV) and similar facilities produce highly odorous and hygienically questionable emissions. Ammonia, sulphur compounds, VOCs, fine dust and pathogenic germs are released during the collection, shredding, sanitizing and processing of animal carcasses or animal by-products – usually at high humidity and temperature.

Oxytec offers robust, proven exhaust air purification systems that are designed precisely for these extreme requirements – for clean air, safe operation and compliance with TA Luft.

What would you like to know?

Simply put your question to our AI. They will answer you individually:

zum Chat

Typical emissions in TKV operations

  • Ammonia (NH₃) – produced during the decomposition of protein compounds
  • Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) – strong smelling, corrosive and toxic
  • Organic odorous substances (VOCs) – from fat, blood, tissue, disinfectants
  • Germs, bacteria, viruses, fungal spores – hygienically and legally relevant
  • Aerosols and dust – especially during comminution, steam condensates, drying
  • Condensate with a high pollutant load – during thermal processes

These emissions often lead to high complaint pressure from the neighborhood or to requirements by authorities. Effective exhaust air treatment is therefore mandatory – and an investment in acceptance and operational safety.

Why targeted exhaust air purification is crucial here

Odor intensity significantly higher than in conventional industrial plants

Sulphur compounds and ammonia lead to corrosion and complaints

Oily aerosols and grease contaminate ventilation technology and heat exchangers

Approval in accordance with TA Luft 2021, BImSchG and GIRL often only possible with active exhaust air purification

Legal requirements

  • TA Luft 2021: VOC limit values, strict regulations for organic emissions
  • 4th BImSchV / BImSchG: Permit requirement for all recycling stages
  • GIRL (Odor Immission Directive): relevant for proximity to residential areas
  • Funding opportunities via programs for odour reduction and exhaust air purification possible

Oxytec provides support with odor reports, emission certificates and approval procedures.

Odor pollution in rendering plants? We have the solution.

oxytec supplies tried-and-tested, durable systems for exhaust air purification in sensitive processing plants – individually adapted to the process, air volume and emission situation.

Request advice now and emissions permanently under control.

hier anfragen

Oxytec solutions for rendering plants and renderers

UV ozone technology – breaking down odors and germs

UV-C radiation in combination with photochemically generated ozone decomposes organic odors, H₂S, VOCs and microbial contamination – without the use of chemicals.

Areas of application:

  • Air from receiving halls or cutting areas
  • Ventilation of hygienization and sterilization systems
  • Hall exhaust air with a high germ content

Advantages:

  • Continuous odor reduction
  • Inactivation of airborne germs
  • Low maintenance, even in continuous operation

Chemical exhaust air scrubbers – safely remove ammonia and H₂S

Our exhaust air scrubbers use targeted pH-controlled scrubbing processes to almost completely dissolve ammonia and hydrogen sulphide from the air – e.g. by adding sulphuric acid or caustic soda.

Areas of application:

  • Process exhaust air from comminution and hygienization
  • Preliminary stage for odor or activated carbon treatment
  • Air flows with high humidity or condensate content

Advantages:

  • Compliance with BImSchV specifications
  • Automated control possible
  • High chemical resistance

Clean Washer Air

Gegenstromwäscher zur Beseitigung von Geruch und Partikeln

Activated carbon filter – bind VOCs and residual odors

As the final cleaning stage, activated carbon modules ensure the adsorption of organic residues – especially VOCs with a low odor threshold.

Advantages:

  • Low residual emissions
  • Easy handling when changing filters
  • Ideal in combination with UV/scrubber

KAT Industrie

Aktivkohlefilter als Speicher­reaktor zur Luft­nachbehandlung

Optional: Electrostatic separators

Depending on the dust and aerosol load, it may make sense to connect an electrostatic precipitator upstream to pre-clean the exhaust air or as a safety stage.

Elektrostat

Elektrostat als Einschub für RLT Anlagen

Typical locations where our systems are used

  • rendering in accordance with (EC) 1069/2009
  • Slaughter by-product processing
  • Plants for category 1 or 2 materials
  • Receiving points for animal waste
  • Hygienization and drying processes
  • Complex systems with air volumes over 50,000 m³/h
  • Flour silos, fat presses

oxytec – Your solution for extreme exhaust air requirements

  • Proven systems for heavily polluted process air
  • High cleaning performance for VOCs, H₂S and germs
  • Robust against humidity, grease and temperature peaks
  • Support for approval procedures (e.g. BImSchG)
  • Modular design, can also be retrofitted

FAQ – häufige Fragen

Why is the exhaust air from rendering plants so polluted?

Receiving, shredding, sanitizing and processing animal carcasses produces emissions such as

  • Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) – foul, corrosive, toxic
  • Ammonia (NH₃) – irritant, odorous
  • VOCs – from fat, blood, tissue, disinfectants
  • Germs and aerosols – hygienically questionable
  • Condensate vapors – often with a high pollutant load
    These air flows require a specially designed, reliable exhaust air purification system.

What odor problems typically occur in TKV operations?

The characteristic decomposition and fat odor arises as soon as the animal carcasses are delivered. Additional contamination occurs with:

  • Shredding of material (mechanical)
  • Hygienization (e.g. 133 °C/20 min)
  • Degreasing, drying, pressing
  • Intermediate storage and transportation

Without treatment, this odor can spread for miles – especially in humid or warm weather.

What does the law stipulate for exhaust air in rendering plants?

The relevant legal bases are

  • TA Luft (Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control)
  • BImSchG (Federal Immission Control Act)
  • EU regulations on animal by-products (e.g. EC No. 1069/2009)
  • Regional requirements (e.g. minimum distances from residential areas)

Many businesses require an immission control permit – and this is often linked to functioning exhaust air purification.

How reliable are UV ozone systems for animal by-products?

Very reliable – provided they are correctly dimensioned and used in combination. UV ozone:

  • Oxidatively decomposes odor-active molecules
  • Inactivates airborne germs
  • Is low-maintenance and residue-free
    In particularly polluted processes, it makes sense to pre-treat the air with scrubbers in order to reduce condensates and high gas concentrations.

How can the cleaning effect be proven?

Authorities often demand this in systems requiring approval:

  • Odor measurements according to VDI 3880 / 3881
  • Ammonia or H₂S measurements
  • VOC analyses
  • Proof of air volume flow
    On request, Oxytec can provide measurement protocols, planning aids and expert contacts to prove compliance.

What does exhaust air purification for TKV systems cost?

This depends heavily on the air volume, emission type and processes. Rough guide values:

  • Smaller systems from 15,000 €
  • Large, combined systems (e.g. UV + scrubber + activated carbon) can cost six figures
    Investments are worthwhile due to approvability, acceptance and system protection (corrosion prevention).

Are there subsidies for exhaust air purification in rendering plants?

Yes, under certain conditions:

  • Funding programs for environmental technology or emission reduction
  • Funding for recycling management or waste recycling
  • In exceptional cases, regional funding for noise protection, odour control or modernization of existing buildings
    Oxytec provides support in the search for suitable programs and in the application process.

Can existing systems be retrofitted?

Yes. Many of our systems are container-based or modular, so that older systems can also be retrofitted – often without major modifications. Retrofitting is often necessary, especially in the case of odor complaints or new approval requirements.