Skip to main content

Exhaust air purification in textile coating – safely remove VOCs, plasticizers, and odors

In textile coating, fabrics are finished with functional finishes such as PU, PVC, acrylates, silicones, or fluoropolymers. Solvent-based coating compounds, bonding agents, or plasticizers are often used in this process, which evaporate into the air during application, drying, and curing.

The resulting VOCs (volatile organic compounds) as well as odors, additives, and microparticles not only pose a burden on humans and the environment, but are also subject to strict legal limits. oxytec supplies customized exhaust air purification systems for businesses of all sizes—from technical textile finishing to outdoor clothing manufacturing.

What would you like to know?

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

8 to chat

Typical VOC sources in textile coating

Process Typical emissions Special features
PU or PVC coating VOCs from solvents, plasticizers, isocyanates High emissions during drying and curing
Acrylate or silicone coating Acrylic acid derivatives, VOCs, catalytic residues Strong odor, diffuse escape
Lamination Ethyl acetate, toluene, ketones, glycol ether VOC release over large areas, odor pollution possible
Impregnation (e.g., C6/C8) Fluorine compounds, alcohols, surfactants High cleaning effort for moisture emissions
Thermal fixation / calender Plasticizers, additives, aldehydes Evaporation due to heat, odor-active degradation products

  • TA Luft (2021) – Limit values for total VOCs, odors, individual substances

  • 31st BImSchV / VOC Directive 2010/75/EU – VOC reduction strategies

  • ATEX zones – for flammable solvents (e.g., ethyl acetate, isopropanol)

  • BImSchG approval requirement – depending on substance quantities, process type, and location

Oxytec offers you technically and legally compliant solutions – including support with expert reports, measurements, and applications.

Why is exhaust air purification important in textile coating?

VOCs are harmful to health, have a strong odor, and are often flammable (ATEX-relevant).

Plasticizers and additives can accumulate in the environment.

Employees and residents are exposed to aerosols and vapors.

Approval authorities require effective emission reduction (TA Luft, VOC Directive).

Odors can cause complaints even at low concentrations.

oxytec helps you meet all legal requirements and treat your exhaust air economically, safely, and odor-free.

Legal requirements

  • TA Luft (2021) – Limit values for total VOCs, odors, individual substances
  • 31st BImSchV / VOC Directive 2010/75/EU – VOC reduction strategies
  • ATEX zones – for flammable solvents (e.g., ethyl acetate, isopropanol)
  • BImSchG approval requirement – depending on substance quantities, process type, and location

Oxytec offers you technically and legally compliant solutions – including support with expert reports, measurements, and applications.

Get advice now—we’ll make your textile coating emission-proof

Do you want to operate your plant in compliance with the law, protect your employees, and avoid odor problems?

hier anfragen

Technologies for exhaust air purification in textile finishing

UV ozone systems

Photochemical splitting of VOCs, odorous substances, and germs—without chemicals or thermal post-combustion.

Advantages:

  • Compact design

  • No filter replacement

  • Effective against complex VOC mixtures

activated carbon filter

Adsorption of organic solvents, odors, and residues from process exhaust air.

Advantages:

  • Effective at low VOC concentrations

  • Easy to retrofit

  • Can be combined with UV or scrubbers

KAT Industry

Activated carbon filter as a storage reactor for air post-treatment

Exhaust air scrubbers or electrostatic precipitators (optional)

For humid or heavily loaded air streams with water-soluble components – e.g., in impregnation.

Clean Washer Air

Counterflow scrubber for removing odors and particles

Other areas of application

  • Technical textiles (e.g., membranes, airbags, tarpaulins)
  • Outdoor and functional clothing
  • Laminating companies for furniture and automotive fabrics
  • Medical textiles, filter fabrics
  • Coating of glass and carbon fabrics

Advantages of Oxytec systems

  • Reliable VOC reduction even with complex mixtures of substances
  • Low energy consumption & low-maintenance technology
  • Compact and retrofittable—even during ongoing operation
  • Customized systems for every coating line
  • Professional support with regulatory authorities and funding applications

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What emissions typically arise during textile coating?

The coating, laminating, and impregnation of textiles produces, among other things:

  • VOCs from solvents (toluene, ethyl acetate, glycol ether)

  • Plasticizers and additives that evaporate

  • Aldehydes such as formaldehyde during thermal decomposition

  • Odor-active decomposition products Some
    of these substances are harmful to health, flammable, and strictly regulated.

Why is odor pollution often so high in textile finishing?

Many substances—especially plasticizers, additives, and silicone compounds—have a strong odor even in very low concentrations.
In addition, high temperatures (e.g., in calenders or dryers) produce odor-active decomposition products that escape diffusely and are difficult to contain.

As technical manager, how can I document compliance with the limit values?

Our systems offer the following options:

  • Connection to your building management system (BMS) or production data acquisition (PDA) systems

  • Measurement logs for VOC, air volume, and operating conditions

  • Automatic operating data collection with remote access
    This facilitates internal quality assurance and official reports in accordance with TA Luft or 31. BImSchV.

How quickly can an exhaust air solution be implemented—even during ongoing operations?

Most of our systems can be installed and commissioned in just a few days, often without major disruption to production.
We plan the implementation in line with your processes, tailored to your shift times and space requirements—also as a mobile or container-based solution.

Can I retrofit my existing coating system?

Yes – Oxytec systems are modular in design and can be easily integrated into existing air ducting systems.
Whether it’s a hall roof, point extraction, or dryer exhaust air – we will find a suitable solution, even if space is limited or production is ongoing.

Are there any subsidy programs for exhaust air purification in textile finishing?

Yes. The following are often eligible for funding:

  • Investments in air pollution control and energy efficiency

  • Retrofitting existing systems to reduce emissions

  • Measurement and control technology for TA Luft-compliant operation
    Oxytec provides support in finding funding and submitting applications.

Can Oxytec exhaust air systems be combined with our existing dryers or calenders?

Yes—our systems are designed to be integrated into existing exhaust air ducts in a modular fashion.
Whether you collect selectively (e.g., at the dryer outlet) or centrally (e.g., via hall air), we adapt the system to your process air volumes, temperatures, and emission types.

Are our coating materials (e.g., PU, acrylate) sensitive to UV or ozone?

No—UV ozone treatment is carried out exclusively in the exhaust air, not in the process itself.
Your materials, machines, and fabrics are not irradiated or contaminated. The system does not interfere with the coating process and does not affect the adhesion or surface of your products.

What air volumes can be treated with Oxytec systems?

Our systems are scalable from a few hundred to over 100,000 m³/h of exhaust air—ideal for individual machines, lines, or entire production areas. Different emission sources (e.g.
, impregnation and dryers) can also be combined and cleaned in a single system.