Exhaust air purification in the pharmaceutical industry – combining purity, safety and energy efficiency
oxytec systems for VOCs, fine dust, solvents and hygiene requirements
The pharmaceutical industry places the highest demands on air purity, process hygiene and exhaust air safety. At the same time, production, drying, cleaning and packaging generate VOC-laden, odor-intensive or humid exhaust air flows, which must be discharged in a controlled manner and cleaned efficiently.
oxytec offers customized systems for exhaust air purification that fit seamlessly into pharmaceutical production environments – hygienic, low-maintenance and compliant with GMP, TA Luft and GEG.
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Simply put your question to our AI. They will answer you individually:
Typical emission sources in the pharmaceutical industry
| Emission source | Typical pollutants | Special features / temperature range |
|---|---|---|
| Granulation, drying, tableting | VOCs, fine dust, alcohol or solvent vapors | 40-120 °C, selective or continuous |
| Active ingredient synthesis & reactors | VOCs, amines, solvent residues, odorous substances | Often hot, vaporous, sticky |
| Cleaning / CIP | Cleaning agents, aerosols, acidic/basic vapors | Warm and humid, corrosive |
| Filling & packaging | VOCs, alcohol, ammonia, dust | Diffusion-related emissions |
| Processing of additives | Powder, dust, emulsifiers, residual moisture | Dry or moist, often finely dispersed |
Why oxytec systems in pharmaceutical production?
Safe reduction of VOCs and odors
No open flame – GMP-compliant & safe with solvents
Hygienic design (stainless steel, cleanable)
Low-noise operation – ideal for clean rooms & packaging zones
Heat recovery to reduce energy consumption
Legal requirements
TA Luft 2021
- VOC limit values also for batch systems
- Obligation to reduce organic compounds and dusts
- Consideration of odor and health effects
BImSchG / 4th BImSchV
- Approval requirement for certain production volumes or VOC quantities
- Relevance also for technically connected systems
GMP / FDA / EU guidelines
- Hygiene requirements for plant construction, material selection and maintenance
- Integration into existing validation concepts possible
EEWärmeG / GEG / EED
- Use of process waste heat as an efficiency measure
- Eligible for funding, especially in combination with waste heat storage or heat pumps
Questions about technology or integration? Please contact us.
Are you looking for a reliable and efficient exhaust air solution for your pharmaceutical production?
oxytec supplies systems that adapt to your process layout and quality requirements – low-emission, energy-saving and hygienically flawless.
Removes tablet dust, additives, powdery substances
Protection of downstream heat exchangers and HVAC components
Filter units with GMP-compliant design
Use of process heat to preheat fresh air or water
Integration into HVAC systems possible
Stainless steel heat exchanger suitable for hygienic zones
Recirculation of recovered heat in cleaning, ventilation or heating applications
Particularly useful for batch processes with constant heat output
Supports decarbonization strategies
Typical areas of application
Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production and synthesis
Solids processing (tablets, capsules, powder)
Drying and granulation processes
Sterile and clean room areas
Packaging & filling of volatile solutions
Laboratory areas with solvent use
Your advantages with oxytec systems
VOC reduction without open flame or chemical additives
Odor reduction even with diffuse sources
Suitable for sensitive GMP areas and clean rooms
Heat recovery included – sustainable and economical
Low-maintenance, validatable solutions for continuous operation
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What emissions are typically generated in pharmaceutical production?
Depending on the production step, e.g:
- VOCs from alcohols, solvents, flavorings
- Dusts and aerosols from granulates, powders, additives
- Moist, warm exhaust air during drying or CIP processes
- Odorous substances (e.g. during active ingredient synthesis, packaging)
- Cleaning vapors, partly corrosive or foaming
These emissions must be treated for reasons of labor law, hygiene and environmental law.
How does oxytec exhaust air purification with UV ozone work with VOCs?
- The exhaust air is irradiated with UV-C light, which generates ozone and reactive oxygen compounds
- These react with VOCs and odor molecules → CO ₂ , H ₂ O and harmless residues are produced
- The system works flamelessly, residue-free and continuously
It is particularly suitable for warm, organically contaminated exhaust air streams, such as those frequently encountered in the pharmaceutical industry.
Is the technology GMP-compliant?
Yes – oxytec offers systems with:
- Stainless steel housings and smooth, cleanable surfaces
- Modular, validatable design
- Maintenance-friendly design for controlled environments
- Optional: integration into HVAC systems or clean rooms
GMP-compliant documentation is available on request.
What are the advantages of additional heat recovery?
- Utilization of the process waste heat e.g. for preheating supply air, heating or cleaning water
- Reduced energy requirement with simultaneous exhaust air treatment
- Rapid amortization, especially with continuous operation
- Relief for existing heating systems (gas, steam, district heating)
Heat recovery is publicly funded and supports sustainability goals (e.g. decarbonization, GEG conformity).
What about the cleaning of dusts and aerosols?
oxytec offers:
- Fine dust separators for powders, additives, active ingredient residues
- Aerosol separator for condensing solvents or cleaning foam
- Separators in stainless steel or antistatic design
- Optionally with flushing device or filter monitoring
This keeps heat exchangers, ventilation systems and pipes permanently efficient and clean.
How loud and maintenance-intensive are the systems?
- The systems are very quiet, low-vibration and suitable for clean rooms
- UV lamp service life: approx. 8,000-10,000 hours
- Filter maintenance: every 4-12 weeks depending on load
- Optional: automatic cleaning intervals, remote monitoring, service contracts
oxytec offers solutions with minimized maintenance for continuous pharmaceutical operation.
Which legal regulations must be observed?
- TA Luft 2021 – VOC limit values, odor specifications, organic emissions
- BImSchG / 4th BImSchV – installations requiring approval and VOC quantities
- GMP / EU GMP guidelines / FDA – Hygiene, validation, documentation
- GIRL – Odor protection for outdoor air emissions
- EEWärmeG / GEG / EED – Obligation to use heat & energy efficiency
Our systems are approvable, hygienic and efficient.
What funding opportunities are there?
Eligible projects include
- VOC reduction systems
- Energy-efficient heat recovery
- Modernization of ventilation and filter technology
Programs:
- BAFA Module 4 (cross-sectional technologies)
- KfW environmental funding for the manufacturing industry
- Regional funding for decarbonization & waste heat recovery
oxytec provides support with Application, profitability calculation and verification.
