Increasingly stringent environmental regulations mandate lower and lower VOC levels in coatings. Traditionally, cosolvents are added to waterborne coatings to assist film formation and improve performance properties. Approximately half the total latexes produced are utilized in paper, paperboard, and architectural coatings. VOMM-based latexes have been formulated into coatings that do not require cosolvents to achieve efficient film formation. Paper coatings formulated with VOMM-based latexes perform competitively in lab evaluations against commercially available latexes. Research efforts are underway to improve performance and increase VOMM content in latexes for commercial paper coatings.

Coatings for exterior applications such as Navy Haze Gray are applied to the topside of ships and form an integral component of the ship's permanent counter-measures. Apart from protecting topside mechanical equipment and structures from the weather, the coatings also provide visual camouflage by blending the ship into the open ocean background. Current Navy Haze Gray coatings are formulated from solvent-based silicone modified alkyds that contain substantial levels of VOCs. In contrast, TRRG is investigating a linseed oil-based latex. These extremely environmentally responsible, waterborne coatings release minimal odor and possess less than 1g/L VOCs. The experimental latex polymers produce coatings that meet military specifications and offer the advantages of easy cleanup, reduced fire hazards, and low toxicity to Navy personnel.

VOMM-based latexes have been formulated into waterborne nail polishes. Commercial nail polishes typically contain more than 60 weight percent solvents and are highly odoriferous. Increasing concerns over sensitivities to certain nail polish ingredients was the impetus for this work. For instance, toluene sulfonamide resin is a source of formaldehyde and is considered to be the main ingredient responsible for allergic reactions to nail polishes. The presence of phthalates is also a concern due to health risks, for example, birth defects. The solvents used in nail polishes can cause headaches in some people. TRRG has completed screening studies with a VOMM-based waterborne polymer nail polish possessing minimal odor and low-to-zero VOCs while maintaining the desired gloss, flow and leveling, and drying properties. Currently, our focus is to achieve early high hardness values.