Case Study: Odour Control for a Large UK Ready Meals Manufacturing Site
Effective Odour Control Solutions for Food Manufacturing in the UK
Specialised Ozone Solutions (SOS) has successfully implemented an advanced odour control solution for a large Midlands‑based ready meals manufacturer, significantly reducing cooking odours while improving overall air quality and regulatory compliance.
As a specialist provider of odour abatement systems for the UK food manufacturing sector, SOS works closely with producers to address complex environmental and operational challenges. Over the years, we have supported a wide range of businesses—including bakeries, meat processors, and ready meal manufacturers—helping them enhance environmental performance and maintain operational efficiency.
Tackling Odour Control Challenges in Ready Meals Production
One of SOS’s UK clients produces an extensive range of ready meals for several leading British supermarkets. As a result of cooking aromatic dishes such as curries, lasagnes, and rich sauces at scale, the manufacturing process inevitably generates strong and persistent odours.
Furthermore, the site operates on a 24/7 production schedule and is located close to residential areas. Consequently, effective odour control was critical not only to protect relationships with the local community but also to ensure compliance with environmental legislation.
In particular, the site needed to meet the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which places a legal duty on operators to prevent statutory nuisance. Without adequate odour abatement, non‑compliance can lead to enforcement action from local authorities, including production restrictions or, in severe cases, site closure.
A Tailored and Cost‑Effective Odour Control Solution
Following a detailed site survey, SOS engineers assessed all emission points across the production areas. At the same time, operational data was collected to determine the most effective odour control technology for the application.
Gill Molloy, Managing Director at SOS, explained:
“We visited the site to survey all emission points from production areas and gather the necessary data. Based on our findings, we were able to design a tailored and cost‑effective odour control solution that would eliminate the issue.”
As a result of high levels of grease and water vapour within the extracted air, SOS designed a multi‑stage odour abatement system to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
Advanced Multi‑Stage Odour Abatement Process
The final solution consisted of the following integrated treatment stages:
- Primozone GM6 ozone generator – for primary odour destruction
- Wet scrubbing system – to remove grease, particulates, and soluble contaminants
- Heat exchanger – to reduce humidity and dry the air stream
- Activated carbon filter – providing final odour polishing before discharge
By combining these technologies, SOS ensured that odour molecules were effectively broken down at each stage of the process. Ultimately, this approach delivered highly efficient, reliable odour control tailored to the demanding conditions of food manufacturing.
Smart Odour Control with Maximum Operational Efficiency
In addition to high abatement performance, SOS Systems are designed with intelligent automation at their core. Each system is fully controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC), which continuously monitors system parameters and adjusts performance in real time.
As a result, SOS systems can achieve up to 95% odour destruction efficiency, while also delivering:
- Consistent, reliable operation
- Reduced maintenance requirements
- Improved energy efficiency
- Long‑term regulatory compliance
Moreover, the automated control system provides operators with peace of mind, ensuring odour emissions remain within acceptable limits at all times.
Results and Benefits
Consequently, the ready meals manufacturer achieved:
- A significant reduction in cooking and process odours
- Improved air quality for employees and nearby residents
- Full compliance with environmental regulations
- Protection against enforcement action and operational disruption
Contact SOS – Odour Control Specialists for Food Manufacturing
If you are experiencing odour issues at your food production site, SOS can design a tailored solution to meet your operational and compliance requirements.
Call SOS today on 0161 221 2231
Specialised Ozone Solutions – Odour Control for UK Industry
