Cosmetics and detergents

Activated carbon can remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including many odorous molecules, from air emissions generated by the manufacture of products such as perfumes, deodorants and hairsprays. This protects air quality and keeps the air smelling fresh for your site workers and neighbours. Even sweet fragrances smell unpleasant at high concentrations, so it’s essential that you remove these compounds from your air emissions to maintain harmonious relations with your community. 

Wastewater from the production of cosmetics and detergents is likely to contain high chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels, which can be purified through activated carbon filtration. This reduces odours, protects aquatic life and waterways, and preserves the human food chain. Common compounds found in wastewater from this sector include parabens, microplastics, lead, sulfates, surfactants and foaming agents. Some accumulate in the environment, e.g. butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) used in moisturisers, and triclosan found in laundry detergents. DESOTEC’s activated carbon filters reduce COD levels, either as a standalone treatment or in combination with other technology as a pre-treatment or polishing step. The water is then safe for discharge to the environment, reuse in industrial processes, or acceptable by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). 

Activated carbon filtration purifies process liquids such as glycerine of colours, odours or potentially harmful compounds, enabling your company to produce cosmetics and detergents that meet stringent safety and quality standards. DESOTEC’s filters are mobile and supplied on a rental basis, making them suitable for both long-term usage and for tackling temporary issues that may arise in a particular batch of liquid. They are filled and emptied away from your site, ensuring that your facility always remains pristine.

Activated carbon filtration is a Best Available Technology (BAT) for many treatment applications, and is often the most cost-effective and sustainable option – but it does depend on various factors.

For example:

• Where production is discontinuous, activated carbon is generally more cost-effective than alternatives such as thermal oxidisers (RTOs).
• If space is tight, DESOTEC filters have a smaller footprint than most alternatives.
• For varying flow rates and concentrations, activated carbon is generally more versatile than alternatives.
• If treatment is needed immediately, our filters can be delivered fast and are plug-and-play – some alternatives have a lengthy lead-in time.
• If your needs might change in the future, our systems are modular – other technology might be less adaptable.
• Where it’s essential to keep facilities pristine, DESOTEC filters may be cleaner than some alternatives as they are emptied and filled off-site.

DESOTEC is keen to help customers find the best treatment for their needs, and our experts will tell you if they think an alternative technology might be more suitable than activated carbon.

Activated carbon is a very versatile technology, so there are many ways to optimise set-ups – e.g. placing filters in series, using different carbon grades, or combining filters with complementary technology such as scrubbers.

DESOTEC’s experts carry out testing, advise on set-up design, and offer ongoing support as part of our full-service solution. Our activated carbon filtration solutions have a low total cost of ownership (TCO): they have minimal capex costs, and our service includes maintenance, upgrading, and sustainable carbon waste handling. Thanks to our circular approach, waste carbon is reactivated wherever possible, reducing your TCO and your carbon footprint.