Under the New National VOCs Standard: Essential Filter Checklist for Paint Shops!

As environmental awareness continues to grow, the control and management of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) have become critical issues in the coating and painting industry. In 2024, a new round of national VOC standards officially came into effect, directly impacting the operation and compliance of paint shops. How can paint shops meet the new standards and avoid environmental penalties? The key lies in upgrading and selecting the right filters.This article provides a detailed overview of the main points of the 2024 national VOC standard and offers an essential filter checklist to help paint shops effectively tackle the challenges brought by the new regulations.

I. Key Elements of the New VOCs National Standard

The new VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) national standard, which came into effect in 2024, imposes significantly stricter emission requirements on paint shops. Under the updated regulations, VOC concentrations released during painting operations must be more tightly controlled, with the goal of reducing air pollution and safeguarding public health.

1. Emission Limits

   The new standard specifies targeted emission limits for different types of coatings and solvents. For instance, the VOC content in water-based coatings must not exceed a designated threshold, while solvent-based coatings are subject to even more stringent restrictions.

2. Monitoring and Reporting

   Paint shops must implement routine VOC emission monitoring systems, keeping regular records of coating usage and exhaust gas emissions. This ensures transparency and traceability. In addition, emission reports must be submitted to environmental authorities on a regular basis.

3. Technical Upgrades

   Enterprises are encouraged—or in some cases required—to upgrade their existing painting processes. This may include adopting low-VOC coatings or optimizing spraying techniques to minimize VOC emissions.

II. Basic Measures for VOCs Control in Paint Shops

To comply with the new 2024 national VOCs standard, paint shops must adopt a series of effective control measures. Key actions include:

1. Using Eco-Friendly Coatings

   Switching to water-based or low-VOC coatings is a fundamental step in reducing emissions at the source.

2. Optimizing Painting Processes

   Upgrading spray equipment and processes helps improve paint transfer efficiency and minimize VOCs volatilization.

3. Installing High-Efficiency Filters

   Advanced air filtration systems can effectively capture volatile organic compounds emitted during the painting process, thereby reducing their release into the atmosphere. Traditional filters may no longer meet the new standards, making replacement or upgrades necessary. Compared to the previous two approaches, upgrading filters is a lower-cost, more reliable, and longer-lasting solution for enterprises.

1. Dry Paint Booth

1) Primary Filter Media (Pre-filter Cotton)

Installed at the air inlet, this polyester fiber filter media is specifically designed for the coating industry. It features a progressive density multilayer structure that provides high dust holding capacity and low resistance, resulting in long service life and cost-effectiveness. It can be reused multiple times after vacuuming or washing.

Applications:

• Pre-filtration in HVAC and ventilation systems

• Protective dust filtration for electromechanical equipment

• High-quality spray booths to remove large airborne particles (dust, fibers), effectively protecting downstream filtration systems

2) Flame-Retardant Ceiling Filter

Used in automotive and furniture spray/curing booths. Fresh air is drawn in by the fan system, filtered through ceiling filter media at the air inlet, then uniformly distributed throughout the booth, creating positive pressure and ensuring effective paint fume exhaust.

Three-stage filtration process:

• Stage 1: Inlet filter media removes coarse airborne dust and debris.

• Stage 2: Ceiling filter provides fine filtration, distributing fully purified air evenly to create laminar flow for optimal coating results.

• Stage 3: Paint stop mat under the floor grating captures excess overspray and paint particles, reducing VOCs and odors in the exhaust.

3) DPA Paint Mist Bag Filter

Also known as the new-generation eco-friendly paint mist filter. Its unique bag-type design increases the filtration surface area by up to 3 times compared to traditional panel filters. During painting, a large volume of mid-sized overspray particles spreads through the booth; this filter captures them efficiently through optimized airflow guidance.

Features:

• High paint holding capacity (up to 27 kg)

• Low pressure drop (20 Pa)

• High efficiency (99.8%)

• Long service life

• Water-resistant media (flame-retardant versions available on request)

4) Glass Fiber Filter Media

Installed at the bottom, this media features a progressive, lofty glass fiber structure with increasing density from air inlet to outlet. Its resilience and tear resistance prevent premature surface clogging and deformation under pressure, fully utilizing the entire media volume for overspray and dust collection.

Advantages:

• High corrosion resistance

• Excellent chemical and solvent resistance

• Heat resistance up to 170°C

• 100% humidity resistance

• High air permeability, low resistance

• Outstanding paint mist capture performance

• Long service life

Applications:

Ideal for high-performance paint mist filtration in automotive paint booths, furniture production lines, baking booths, and even kitchen exhaust systems.

2. Wet Paint Booth

1) Primary Filter Media (Pre-filter Cotton)

At the air inlet, polyester fiber filter media is used, specifically designed for the coating industry. It features a multilayer structure with progressively increasing density, ensuring high dust holding capacity and low resistance. It is durable, cost-effective, and reusable after vacuuming or washing.

2) Water Curtain / Water Screen Pretreatment

During the painting process, overspray particles come into full contact with the water curtain or water screen. Since most components of paint mist are water-soluble or can be adsorbed by water, the majority of paint particles are captured at this stage. This significantly reduces the load on subsequent filtration systems.

3) High-Efficiency Activated Carbon Filter Media

Made from high-quality coconut shell activated carbon, this filter ensures excellent adsorption performance while minimizing airflow resistance and extending service life. Its porous structure increases contact surface area for enhanced adsorption.

• Carbon content: 35%–50%

• Surface area: 1000–1600 m²/g

• Micropores: ~80%

• Adsorbs: Benzene compounds, formaldehyde, VOCs, and odor molecules

This filter combines physical filtration (particle interception) and chemical adsorption (removal of harmful gases/odors), making it ideal for environments where particulate and gaseous pollutants coexist.

4) Water-Resistant Filter Components

All filter components are made from specially treated water-resistant materials, including waterproof synthetic fibers and corrosion-resistant plastic frames. These materials maintain stable physical and chemical performance in humid environments, resisting deformation, damage, or filtration efficiency loss caused by water exposure.

4. Maintenance and Management of Filtration Systems

Even with the right filters installed, regular inspection and maintenance are essential to ensure effective and smooth operation.

1. Routine Inspection

It is recommended to perform a full inspection monthly—checking filter appearance, condition, and pressure drop. Replace immediately if damage or failure is detected.

2. Cleaning and Replacement

Follow usage conditions and manufacturer guidelines for cleaning or replacing filters.

• Activated carbon filters: Replace every 3–6 months

• HEPA filters: Replace approximately once a year

3. Monitoring Systems

To enhance management efficiency, install online monitoring systems that track real-time VOC concentrations and generate analytical reports. This helps facilities respond promptly to potential over-limit risks.

4. Staff Training

Companies should regularly train staff on VOC control and compliance requirements, ensuring full understanding of national standards and their responsibilities—boosting overall compliance and operational standards.

Conclusion

The implementation of the 2024 VOCs National Standard raises the bar for environmental management in the coating industry. By selecting the right filters, optimizing coating processes, and strengthening system management, paint shops can ensure regulatory compliance, enhance competitiveness, and create a healthier, more sustainable production environment.

As an innovator in the air filtration industry, WhaleSense Technology offers efficient, reliable, and practical solutions through advanced technologies and processes—helping paint shops meet regulatory challenges, avoid environmental fines, and provide a safer workspace for professionals.