When shoes undergo chemical testing for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in laboratories in China, they typically meet all required standards. However, upon arrival at European ports, the shoes sometimes emit an unpleasant odor, leading to customer complaints. What causes this issue?
Unpleasant odors in products may result from the presence of VOCs or other odorous volatile substances (such as ammonia). VOCs encompass a wide range of substances, including benzene, xylene, chlorobenzene, formaldehyde, and others. High concentrations of VOCs in indoor air can cause symptoms ranging from headaches, coughing, and nausea to more severe effects such as unconsciousness. Some VOCs are even linked to leukemia. In everyday life, VOCs may be present in materials such as adhesives, glues, fabric printing inks, and leather finishing agents.
Odor is one of the most immediate sensory experiences for consumers. When a customer opens a shoebox, the odor inside can significantly influence their perception of the shoe’s quality. PFI engineers can help clients identify and address the sources of excessive VOCs from the very beginning, offering recommendations for improvement.
Recently, in response to a shoe manufacturer’s concerns about VOCs, PFI Fareast’s technical engineers conducted an in-depth investigation and study at the factory. They discovered a series of issues in the shoe production process, such as:
- The use of AC foaming agents, DCP crosslinking agents, and organic solvent cleaners, which generated ammonia and VOCs;
- The use of organic solvent-based ink thinners during printing, which contained VOCs;
- Insufficient ventilation time after production before packaging and shipping, leading to the accumulation of VOCs during long sea voyages under high temperatures and in sealed conditions, resulting in unpleasant odors upon opening the containers.
In response to these findings, PFI Fareast provided several improvement suggestions: using modified AC foaming agents with controlled lower decomposition temperatures; replacing crosslinking agents with safer alternatives; extending the ventilation period after shoe production before packaging, promoting better air circulation, avoiding dense packing of shoes, adding VOC adsorbents inside the packaging boxes, and avoiding perforated packaging boxes.
Founded in Germany in 1956, PFI has extensive experience in the footwear, apparel, leather, personal protective equipment, and consumer goods industries, particularly in the footwear and leather sectors, where its expertise is widely recognized.
We not only offer laboratory VOC testing services and accurate, objective product odor assessments but also help clients identify the root causes of excessive VOCs and solve problems at the source.
As an independent third-party organization, PFI’s team is professional, stable, focused, and forward-thinking, dedicated to providing creative, efficient, and sustainable solutions to clients throughout the product development and procurement process.
