Evonik launches innovative additive to reduce new car smell

One of the biggest challenges facing the automotive industry is removing odors from car interiors
.
In order to reduce the emission of aldehydes, Evonik has developed a new second-generation aldehyde scavenger ORTEGOL LA 3
.

This additive is specifically designed to reduce formaldehyde and acetaldehyde levels in automotive molded foam, helping to reduce "new car smell"
.

Increasing consumer demand for neutral odors in vehicles has led additive formulators like Evonik to increasingly focus on developing modern, high-performance scavengers that enable automotive OEMs to reduce VOC and FOG levels
.
The industry's ongoing efforts to reduce aldehyde content must also be balanced with maintaining good processability and the final quality of polyurethane (PU) foam products
.
Evonik's new detergents work by reacting with aldehydes, which ensures easy processing without compromising the quality of the polyurethane application
.

Roland Hubel, Head of PU Additives for Evonik's Flexible Foams, said: "Due to the strong pressure from Asian consumers to completely remove the 'new car smell', the reduction of odor in the car has become a key focus area
for us.
We have a broad portfolio of additives, including Low odor and low VOC surfactants, as well as our newest NE (Normal Emissions) range of catalysts and aldehyde scavengers, such as ORTEGOL® LA 3, to help our customers meet today’s more stringent emission requirements
.
”

To support these new low-VOC and low-emission solutions, Evonik has established its own certified odor testing team in Shanghai, China to facilitate in-house odor testing during new product development and to better support customers in the region
.