Traditional solvent-based paint systems release between 250-400 grams per liter of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during application and curing. These emissions pose environmental and health challenges, yet the shift to low-VOC alternatives has been constrained by longer drying times—often extending from minutes to hours—and reduced performance in areas like adhesion and durability.

The fundamental challenge lies in achieving rapid cure rates and robust coating properties while eliminating volatile organic compounds that traditionally facilitate film formation and cross-linking.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including epoxy-based systems with specific epoxy values, bio-based non-isocyanate polyurethanes derived from plant oils, and high-solid coating compositions using reactive acrylic polyol resins. These and other approaches demonstrate how manufacturers can achieve commercial drying speeds and coating performance without relying on conventional solvents.

1. Low-VOC Epoxy Resin Coating Composition with Specific Epoxy Value and Fast-Drying, Corrosion-Resistant Properties

BASF COATINGS GMBH, 2024

A low-VOC epoxy resin-based coating composition for engineering applications that combines fast drying properties with enhanced corrosion resistance. The composition comprises an epoxy resin with a specific epoxy value range, combined with a curing agent and optional drying agent. The epoxy resin component provides excellent mechanical properties, while the curing agent enhances the coating's performance in harsh environments. The composition achieves fast drying times while maintaining superior salt resistance, making it suitable for applications requiring rapid curing and high-performance coatings in industrial environments.

2. Flexible Packaging Manufacturing System with VOC Emission Control via Eco-Friendly Inks and Heat-Based Drying

Sujeong Industrial Co., Ltd., SOOJUNG CORP, 2024

Flexible packaging manufacturing system that significantly reduces volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from gravure printing and drying processes without sacrificing speed. The system uses eco-friendly ink compositions and dries them using heat instead of solvent evaporation. Exhaust gases from drying and lamination are burned to remove VOCs before release.

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3. Paint Composition with Main Resin, Curing Agent, and Antifoaming Agent for Reduced VOC Emissions

HD HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO LTD, 2024

Manufacturing a paint that can reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and secure excellent painting workability. The composition includes a main portion containing a main resin, a curing agent portion containing a curing agent, and an antifoaming agent.

4. Low-VOC Coating Composition with Epoxy Compound, Reactive Diluent, Curing Agent, and Dioxolane Derivative

CHUGOKU MARINE PAINTS LTD, 2023

A low-VOC coating composition for coatings, substrates, and films that eliminates the need for benzyl alcohol while maintaining excellent performance. The composition comprises an epoxy compound with an epoxy equivalent of more than 200, a reactive diluent, a curing agent, and a dioxolane derivative. The epoxy compound provides the necessary mechanical properties, while the reactive diluent and curing agent enable the composition to achieve the desired viscosity without benzyl alcohol. The dioxolane derivative enhances film formability and curing properties, making the composition suitable for a wide range of coating applications.

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5. High-Solid Coating Composition with Reactive Acrylic Polyol Resin and Ethylenically Unsaturated Monomer

KCC Corporation, KCC CORP, 2022

High-solid coating composition with reduced VOC content, ensuring excellent pot life and workability while maintaining drying properties. The composition comprises an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, an acid group-containing acrylic monomer, and a reactive acrylic polyol resin prepared by polymerizing a mixture of diluents, with a curing agent. The polyol resin enhances film properties while controlling VOC emissions, achieving a solid content of 70% or more.

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6. High Solid Protective Coating Composition with Specific Component Ratios for Steel Structures

JIANGSU CHAMPION TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD, 2021

High solid, low VOC protective coating for steel structures that has improved performance, durability, and reduced environmental impact compared to traditional coatings. The coating contains specific components like high-solid alkyd resin, calcium carbonate, organic bentonite, humectant, dispersant, desiccant, and anti-skinning agent in optimized ratios. The coating provides high solid content, low toxicity, good adhesion, flexibility, corrosion resistance, weather resistance, hardness, and smoothness. The coating preparation involves mixing the components in steps to disperse them uniformly.

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7. Coating Composition with Acrylic Polyol Resin and Curing Agent for Metal Surfaces

KCC Corporation, KCC CORP, 2021

A coating composition for metal surfaces that reduces VOC emissions while maintaining excellent pot life and drying properties. The composition comprises an acrylic polyol resin with an acid value between 10 and 30 mgKOH/g, a curing agent, and a radical polymerization initiator. The curing agent enhances the curing process, while the polyol resin improves the coating film's mechanical properties. The composition achieves reduced VOC emissions through the curing agent's reaction with the polyol resin, resulting in a more environmentally friendly coating solution.

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8. Polyurethane Coating with Specific Resin-Solvent Weight Ratio and Novel Mixing Process

FOSHAN SHUNDE GUDELI PAINT CO LTD, 2020

A low-VOC polyurethane (PU) coating with improved performance characteristics. The coating is prepared through a novel mixing process that combines a high-performance resin with a specific blend of solvents. The resin is formulated with a specific weight ratio of 5118 to solvent, and the solvent blend is optimized for improved flow and dispersion properties. The resulting PU coating exhibits enhanced abrasion resistance, acid and alkali resistance, and hardness, all while maintaining low volatile organic compound (VOC) content.

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9. Aqueous Dispersion with Acrylic Binder and Methylene Bridged Copolymer Adsorbent Particles

ROHM AND HAAS CO, 2020

Aqueous dispersion and coating composition containing the same, comprising an acrylic binder dispersion and a specific polymeric adsorbent particle mixture. The dispersion contains acrylic binder particles, while the adsorbent particles contain a methylene bridged copolymer of divinylbenzene and a monovinyl aromatic monomer. The adsorbent particles are added to the acrylic binder dispersion before it is formulated into the coating, eliminating the need for additional VOC removal steps. The dispersion and coating composition achieve VOC levels below 800 ppm, making it suitable for applications requiring low-VOC coatings.

10. Aromatic Polyurethane Coating Composition with Isocyanate Terminals and VOC-Free Solvent Blend

CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY GMBH, 2019

Polyurethane coatings for structures like parking decks and garages that achieve VOC-free formulations while maintaining high performance properties. The coatings contain an aromatic polyurethane pre-polymer with isocyanate terminal groups, a solvent blend, a catalyst, and fillers. The VOC content is less than 97 g/L, with the pre-polymer achieving a molecular weight of 500-10000 g/mol and an NCO/OH ratio of 1.1-5. The coatings exhibit excellent adhesion, durability, and resistance to deicing salts, while the VOC-free formulation enables compliance with stringent VOC regulations.

11. Binder Composition with Low-Emission Dispersion Polymer Incorporating Ethyl Acrylate and Mineral Binders

BASF SE, 2019

A binder composition comprising a dispersion polymer with a glass transition temperature of ≤20°C, comprising ethyl acrylate in copolymerized form, which exhibits extremely low volatile organic compound (VOC) emission when used to produce a solidified or set material. The dispersion polymer is prepared through aqueous polymer dispersion or polymer powder production, with the dispersion polymer having a particle size distribution of ≥10 nm. The dispersion polymer is combined with mineral binders like cement to produce a solidified or set material that meets the low VOC emission requirements of the European Green Building Code (GEV) EMICODE.

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12. Waterborne Epoxy-Modified Acrylic Emulsion Paint with Hammering Agents and pH Adjuster

HEBEI CHENYANG IND & TRADE GROUP CO LTD, 2019

Water-based single-component ultra-low VOC quick-drying orange paint for surfaces, comprising a waterborne epoxy-modified acrylic emulsion, hammering agent Raybo, hammering agent CN-680, environmentally friendly packing, and a pH adjuster. The paint achieves excellent performance characteristics, including fast drying, low VOC emissions, and excellent surface finish quality, while maintaining durability and resistance to environmental pollutants.

13. Acrylic Paint Composition with Water-Soluble Polymer Additive for Enhanced Film Properties

DANYANG BOYUAN SAFETY PRODUCTION SERVICE CO LTD, 2019

Acrylic paint with improved performance characteristics for environmentally friendly coatings. The paint combines the benefits of water-based and solvent-based paints by introducing a novel, water-soluble polymer additive that enhances film properties while maintaining environmental compatibility. The additive improves paint flow, adhesion, and thermal stability, enabling faster drying times and better heat resistance compared to conventional water-based paints.

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14. Eco-Coating Composition with Inorganic Mineral Powder and Latex Polymer in Nitrogen-Protected Polymerization

DAMEITAIKANG ECOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2018

A multifunctional eco-coating composition that is free of formaldehyde and VOCs. The coating composition contains 50-90% inorganic mineral powder, 5-60% latex polymer, thickener, surfactant, and pigment. The latex polymer is made by polymerizing monomers in a nitrogen-protected reactor. The surfactant improves compatibility between the inorganic minerals and latex polymer to prevent settling, segregation, and aggregation. The coating provides low VOCs compared to solvent-based coatings due to the use of a lower viscosity latex polymer and reduced organic solvents.

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15. Interior Latex Paint Formulation with Low-VOC Composition and Balanced Additive System

CHENGDU BARDESE PAINT CO LTD, 2018

A low-VOC, environmentally friendly interior latex paint that achieves clean taste while meeting stringent health and environmental standards. The paint combines a defoaming agent with a special balance of polymers, cellulose ether, and other additives to create a superior performance paint system. The formulation incorporates rutile titanium dioxide, calcined clay, and talc for superior light blocking, while the pH regulator maintains optimal paint stability. This innovative combination enables a paint with exceptional clean taste while minimizing environmental impact.

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16. Colorant Composition for Aqueous Latex Paints with Copolymer Surfactant Reducing Volatile Non-Aqueous Constituents and Hazardous Additives

COLUMBIA INSURANCE CO, 2018

Colorant composition for aqueous latex paints that achieves environmental sustainability through reduced volatile non-aqueous constituents (VNCs), alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs), crystalline silica, and formaldehyde. The composition is formulated with a copolymer surfactant comprising specific monomers that enable the removal of these environmentally undesirable substances while maintaining film properties. The surfactant enables the incorporation of VNCs, APEs, crystalline silica, and formaldehyde into the paint formulation without compromising performance characteristics.

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17. VOC-Free Concrete Primer Coating with Hybrid Curing System and Polymer Fusion Structure

CHOI JUNG SEOK, TNS CO LTD, TNS Corporation, 2017

A VOC-free primer coating for concrete surfaces that achieves superior interlayer adhesion through a novel hybrid curing system. The primer composition combines an environmentally friendly curing agent with a water-soluble or water-dispersible resin, achieving a curing network structure that enables strong adhesion between the primer layer and subsequent topcoat layer. The curing agent contains an oxirane ring-containing resin that forms a polymer fusion structure with the resin layer, while the curing agent itself has a viscosity of 200 cps or less. This hybrid system enables effective curing through chemical and physical hybrid curing mechanisms, resulting in a water-soluble or water-dispersible primer coating that replaces traditional oil-based coatings while maintaining excellent performance characteristics.

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18. Coating Composition with Mixed Emulsion and Pigment Dispersion for Reduced VOC Emissions

ANHUI KANGRUI HIGH-TECH NEW MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING CO LTD, 2017

Low VOC emissions coating that significantly reduces volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared to conventional coatings. The coating formulation contains a unique blend of ingredients that allows for low VOC content without sacrificing performance. The coating composition includes a mixed emulsion, pigment dispersion, methyl ethyl ketone oxime, drier, thickener, and 2-Aminomethyl-1-propanol. The mixed emulsion is made by emulsifying sucrose fatty acid, alkyd resin, octylphenol polyoxyethylene 10 ether, and water. The pigment dispersion contains a dispersant, wetting agent, organic bentonite, titanium dioxide, defoamer, and water. The coating also has a humectant like an ethoxylated fatty acid methyl ester derivative, and

19. Ethylsilicate Polymer Binders with Propylene Carbonate and Solvent Composition

SILBOND CORPORATION, 2017

Ethylsilicate polymer binders with reduced levels of regulated VOCs, and more specifically to stable, fast cure ethylsilicate polymer binders with low levels of regulated VOCs. The binders contain a combination of propylene carbonate and a solvent that forms up to 25% by weight, comprising at least one of propylene carbonate, tert-butylacetate, or parachlorobenzotrifluoride, and contain less than 18% by weight silica. The binders exhibit improved stability and performance characteristics, including reduced gelling and improved drying times, compared to traditional ethylsilicate binders containing regulated solvents like dipropylene glycol methyl ether or methyl amyl ketone.

20. Coating Composition Incorporating Isooxazolidine Derivative for Extended Wet Edge Time and VOC Neutralization

ANGUS CHEMICAL CO, 2017

A coating composition with improved open time and VOC reduction properties for water-based paints. The composition comprises a novel isooxazolidine derivative that enhances the wet edge time of the paint film, enabling longer application intervals without compromising film quality. The isooxazolidine derivative is incorporated into a water-based paint formulation, where it neutralizes VOCs while maintaining excellent wet edge performance. The composition achieves both extended open time and reduced VOC levels, making it suitable for low-VOC water-based coatings.

21. Non-Phthalate Benzoate Esters Comprising 3-Phenylpropylbenzoate for Polymer Dispersion Plasticization

22. Paint Composition Utilizing Nanotechnology to Inhibit VOC Formation

23. Paint Preparation System Utilizing Solvent-Free Surfactant and Polymer Blend

24. Ethylsilicate Polymer Composition with Propylene Carbonate Solvent and Variable SiO2 Content

25. Ternary Emulsion Film-Forming System with Low-VOC Acrylic, Vinyl Acetate-Vinyl Emulsions, and Soap-Free Silicone Rubbers

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