Asphalt Odor Suppressants for Safe and More Sustainable Operations
What are Asphalt Odor Suppressants?
Asphalt odor suppressants are chemical additives designed to reduce or neutralize odorous emissions generated during asphalt production, storage, and paving. These emissions often include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), which can impact worker safety, environmental compliance, and surrounding communities.
The Role of Odor Suppressants in Asphalt Operations
Reducing Odorous Emissions at the Source
Odor suppressants work by targeting and neutralizing odor-causing compounds within asphalt at production and application temperatures, helping minimize emissions before they are released into the environment.
Supporting Worker Safety and Community Acceptance
By reducing exposure to hydrogen sulfide and other VOCs, odor suppressants help improve air quality for workers and minimize odor-related concerns from nearby communities.
Benefits of Asphalt Odor Suppressants
Improved Worker and Public Safety
Reducing exposure to hydrogen sulfide and other harmful emissions helps create safer working environments and improves air quality.
Easier Environmental Compliance
Lower emissions support compliance with air quality regulations and reduce the risk of operational restrictions.
Reduced Operational Constraints
Minimizing odor complaints helps avoid costly changes such as plant relocation, restricted working hours, or seasonal limitations.
Applications in Asphalt Production and Paving
Odor suppressants are used across a range of asphalt operations, including:
- Asphalt mix production plants
- Asphalt terminals and storage facilities
- Roofing and paving applications
- Urban and environmentally sensitive job sites
These technologies are often used alongside asphalt additives, asphalt emulsifiers and advanced pavement technologies to support a complete pavement performance strategy.
Arkema’s Odor Suppressant Solutions
Arkema’s deScent® odor suppressants provide effective asphalt odor control by neutralizing odorous emissions at their source. These Road Science®solutions are designed to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated at typical asphalt production and application temperatures in paving and roofing operations.
Using gas chromatography, deScent® has been proven to reduce odorous VOC emissions by more than 90%. In addition, it delivers greater than 85% reduction in hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), significantly outperforming many conventional odor control solutions.
These additives are easy to apply during asphalt storage or transfer and help producers and contractors improve air quality, maintain operational efficiency, and reduce odor-related concerns.
Arkema supports customers with technical expertise, laboratory testing, and on-site support to ensure optimal additive performance.
