Odournet participated in the 2nd Micro-Chamber Users’ Meeting

Last February 21st, Odournet, represented by Luciano Vera, Head of CoC Molecular Odour Evaluation participated in the 2nd Micro-Chamber Users’ Meeting organized by the company Markes International in its German facilities in Neu-Isenburg, Frankfurt.

This meeting included more than 30 experts from diverse European locations (Germany, The Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Poland and Spain) and presentations from respected industry experts who shared novel studies related to the use of Markes’ Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor for VOCs sampling. The Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor™ (µ-CTE™) is a compact unit with up to six small cylindrical chambers that enables the sampling of chemicals released from products or materials, which can be solids or liquids. Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs) that are released from the samples and contained in the micro-chamber headspace are collected onto sorbent tubes for further chemical analysis. The event was also a great opportunity for users to come together to discuss methodologies, validations and certifications.

During the event, Luciano shared a study conducted by our molecular analysis centre entitled “Sensory and chemical determination of odours emitted by polymeric materials used in vehicles interior based on VDA270 and GC-Sniffing”. This study demonstrated the capacity ‘GC-Sniffing’ to determine individual odours that could be adversely influencing the sensory quality of polymer based parts intended for the automotive industry. GC-Sniffing (or GC-Olfactometry) is a technique that combines both sensory analysis and chemical detection of samples in which a composite sample is split into its individual components in a Gas Chromatography column, and these components are subsequently identified chemically (via mass spectrometry) as well as trained assessors simultaneously describing the sensory characteristics of the individual components. The technique was able to identify two important odorous compounds that were linked to unpleasant notes given off from a sample of polymer that had been rejected for use following an unfavourable VDA 270 assessment.

The study helps to demonstrate the high quality of Odournet’s molecular analysis centre and our ability to respond to situations where a deeper level of knowledge and expertise is required to respond to complex cases related to the causes of odours perceived.