ANGUS Chemical Company today announced that AMP, a multifunctional specialty chemical that's widely used in latex paint formulations, is no longer classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC) under a final rule by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

"As the coatings industry continues to tackle challenges associated with developing high-performing, zero-VOC paints, AMP becomes an even more powerful tool that formulators can rely upon to meet their current and future needs," said Mark Henning, president and chief executive officer of ANGUS, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. "We're pleased that the EPA has appropriately classified AMP to reflect its minimal impact on the atmosphere. But most importantly, this is a huge win for our customers, who now have much greater flexibility in formulation."

For paint formulators looking to produce zero-VOC products, AMP (2-Amino-2-methyl-1-propanol) offers comprehensive benefits including scrub resistance, optimal pigment dispersion, low odor, effective pH control and a positive safety and handling profile. The compound, which is already being used as a key ingredient in the majority of water-based paints, now allows paint companies to avoid reformulating with less-favorable neutralizers such as caustic soda or ammonia.

VOCs are compounds that react with other chemicals and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere to form ground-level ozone and ultimately, harmful smog. ANGUS submitted a VOC-exemption petition to the EPA in October 2012 after tests performed at an independent lab confirmed that AMP meets or exceeds the agency's no-VOC benchmarks. The compound has low global warming potential, low ozone-depleting potential, a favorable toxicology profile and is not considered a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) or toxic under other federal rules.

"Today, an increasing number of consumers and paint formulators are making decisions with the environment in mind, seeking out products and ingredients classified as low- or no-VOC," said Linda Troester, environmental health and safety product stewardship manager for ANGUS. "As a VOC-exempt compound, AMP is meeting a very real market need for sustainability."

AMP, a flagship molecule for ANGUS, is used in multiple industries, including paint and coatings, metalworking fluids and personal care. AMP has been the industry standard in architectural coatings for many years, as it yields many process enhancements and product performance benefits that cannot be achieved with other commercial alternatives. For more information, visit www.dow.com/ANGUS.