Amines and Chelates

Versatility and Value

Making valuable products even better with amines and chelants

Amines and chelants are versatile materials that deliver a wide range of performance properties in many different applications and products.

Amines

Amines are multi-functional organic compounds derived from ammonia. Like ammonia, amines are weak bases, so they work well for neutralizing acidic components and buffering pH in a wide variety of products and processes. Additionally, amines can be reacted further to create derivatives with unique functionality for a broad range of uses. Known for their versatility, amines can help you achieve the desired performance in a wide range of applications, whether neutralizing acids, emulsifying properties, lubrication or viscosity are required.

Amines are used in a wide variety of applications and products:

Personal care

Helping balance pH in personal care products while still being gentle on the eyes – often used in baby and pet shampoos.

Coatings

Providing pH adjustment while improving the solubility and dispersibility of other components in both water-based and solvent-based coating formulations; acting as hardeners for epoxy-based systems.

Cleaning products

Enabling multi-functional cleaning products with low streaking and filming, as well as contributing to excellent stability for a longer shelf life.

Fabric softeners

Offering excellent emulsifying and softening properties with low sensitivity for fabric softeners.

Multi-use emulsifier

Providing excellent corrosion protection and emulsifying capabilities when added to asphalt chemicals and lube oil additives.

Pharmaceuticals

Widely used as intermediates in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Chelants

Chelants, also referred to as chelating agents, are versatile materials made up of molecules capable of forming bonds to metal ions. Because of this capability, chelating agents are used to neutralize a variety of metal ions commonly found in water-based formulations and processes.

Chelating agents are often used in the following applications:

Stylish woman buys frozen food at a supermarket

Food and beverage

Providing protection against naturally occurring metals that can cause spoilage and discoloration in both foods and beverages; resulting in improved flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and product life.

Beauty and personal care

Reducing sensitivity to hard water resulting in improved lather in soaps and shampoos, while increasing product life and improving the stability of fragrances, oils, fats, and water-soluble ingredients.

Industrial applications

Preventing and reducing scaling from water and steam used in manufacturing processes; extending equipment life in oil field operations, metal cleaning/working, water treatment, textiles, pulp/paper, and geothermal systems.

Domestic chemical products for cleaning house chores

Cleaning products

Decreasing the sensitivity to hard water improving foaming, cleaning, and rinsing along with increasing product shelf life.

Resources

Ethyleneamines Best Practices Manual

Provides essential information related to health effects, training, personal protection, and storage and handling regarding ethyleneamines, as well as the physical properties and reactivity of the product.