Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Cancer
    • Chemicals, Toxics, and Pesticide
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Radon
    • Research
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • Our Mission and What We Do
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Labs and Research Centers
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Organization Chart
    • EPA History

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Green Chemistry

Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge: 2013 Greener Reaction Conditions Award

The Dow Chemical Company

 

EVOQUETM Pre-Composite Polymer Technology

 
Innovation and Benefits: Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is added to paint as the base white pigment that hides color on the painted surface. TiO2 is energy intensive to make, so increasing the amount added increases the cost of paint as well as the emissions from TiO2 production. Dow has developed a polymer that when applied to TiO2 improves its dispersion, thus decreasing how much TiO2 is needed.
 

Summary of Technology: Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is added to most paint as the base white pigment that hides the color of the painted surface. TiO2 is employed due to its high refractive index and light scattering power. However, the high levels of TiO2 commonly found in paint formulations come at a cost to the paint formulator and the environment. TiO2 is often the most costly and energy-consuming component in a can of paint, and has the largest impact on the eco-profile of the finished paint formulation.

Dow Chemical has developed a pre-composite polymer called EVOQUETM that coats the TiO2 particles and improves their dispersion in the paint, allowing better hiding at lower pigment loading. The polymers bind to the pigment, improve the pigment interaction with the rest of the paint formulation, and result in a more even, contiguous dry paint layer. Once dry, paints formulated with EVOQUETM polymers provide better hiding, reducing the appearance of stains or colors on the painted surface and improved durability as a result of less pigment clumping.

EVOQUETM polymers are compatible with a wide range of paint formulations, including zero-VOC waterborne paints, reduce the need for rheology additives, and allow up to 20 percent lower TiO2 loading. A third-party validated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) showed that TiO2 reductions allowed by EVOQUETM polymers in exterior house paint reduces the paint’s carbon footprint by over 22 percent, water consumption by 30 percent, NOx and SOx emissions by 24 percent, and the potential impact on water eutrophication (algae bloom) by 27 percent. Other benefits found in the LCA include a 30 percent reduction in potential chemical oxygen demand (COD) and a 35 percent reduction in non-methanic volatile compounds, two factors that degrade water quality and air quality. These benefits are in addition to the improved performance of the paint.


Other resources:

  • Learn more about green chemistry.
  • Learn more about Dow EVOQUETM technology.

Note: Disclaimer

Return to the list of all winners including the 2013 Award Winners.

Green Chemistry

  • Basics of Green Chemistry
  • Green Chemistry Challenge Awards
    • Winners
Contact Us about Green Chemistry
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on May 27, 2025
  • Assistance
  • Spanish
  • Arabic
  • Chinese (simplified)
  • Chinese (traditional)
  • French
  • Haitian Creole
  • Korean
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Tagalog
  • Vietnamese
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions
  • Site Feedback

Follow.