Polymers
Description of Industry
Polymers often contain trace level volatile impurities remaining from manufacture, and these compounds may be odorous. Many kinds of additives have odor, or result in odor upon their degradation or chemical reaction. Many polymers absorb odor from the environment during manufacture, shipping and storage. VAC is uniquely qualified to resolve these issues from source identification and chemistry to mitigation activities. VAC will help to manage current disruption of processes and help prevent future concerns.
Applicable Services
What we do
We are experts in odor analysis and trace level chemical detection and measurement. Both odor analysis and chemical detection are utilized when we employ gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/ olfactometry. We also employ expert experimental design, sample prep measures, and statistical analyses to ensure appropriate scientific rigor.
Odor Investigation
We utilize the most advanced scientific techniques and instruments currently available to detect and measure volatile chemicals responsible for odor. We utilize gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/ olfactometry to quickly determine what retention index values from a chromatogram correspond with odor. This capability dramatically improves our capability to identify trace level chemicals responsible for off-odors.
Odor Complaint Mitigation
Our team has the capability to provide a rapid and accurate response to your odor problem. We employ the latest in scientific instrumentation plus our team has more than 20 years experience with odor chemistry and analytical measurement.
New Product Development Aroma Support
To ensure new products exhibit desired aroma character and intensity, we employ spot-on sensory assessment, extraction methods and analytical analysis. Sensory includes quantitative descriptive analysis to ensure the attributes measured match those desired. Extraction methods depend on the nature of the material. Dynamic headspace extraction works for many products however specialized techniques such as sir bar sorptive extraction and solid phase micro-extraction also have a place. Analytical may employ GC-MS, GC-MS-MS, GC-MS/O, or other method appropriate to answer a specific question. If you need more information about how we can provide aroma support for new product development click HERE.
Analytical Method Development
The analytical method utilized depends on the project goals, of which there are numerous possibilities. For example if the identity of the odor is suspected or already known but the sample is very dirty or complex then analysis with GC-MS-MS may best yield informative data. When the odor ID is not known GC-MS/O often provides the quickest answers. After careful study of the project goal, VAC will employ the tools that will provide solutions. To learn more about our Analytical Method Development click HERE.
Odor Strategy Development
Strategies depend on variables such as the state of material (liquid, solid, gas), chemical type of suspected odorant (some chemicals must be treated different due to unique characteristics), quantity of material available, accuracy of odor descriptors, to name a few.
Based on answers to an initial questionnaire we will utilize the most appropriate and advanced scientific techniques and instruments currently available to detect and measure volatile chemicals responsible for odor. To find out more about our Odor Strategy Development service click HERE.
Related News, Case Studies, and Blog Posts
What is Off-Odor?
