Do You Need to Watch Your VOC's?

As the EPA and other environmental agencies continue to focus on emissions reporting and regulatory compliance, many manufacturers are taking a closer look at the chemicals used in their facilities. Products containing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs), Toxic Air Pollutants (TAPs), and photochemically reactive chemicals can create reporting, compliance, and operational challenges.

For companies using products such as isopropyl alcohol (IPA), methanol, MEK, or high-VOC press washes, emissions can add up quickly. If your facility is approaching emission limits, exceeding thresholds, or simply looking for lower-VOC alternatives, ArroChem can help evaluate your current products and identify practical options for reducing reportable chemical usage.

Understanding VOC, HAP, and TAP Concerns

Many traditional solvents and cleaning products contain high levels of reportable chemicals. In some applications, products such as IPA and methanol may be considered 100% VOC reportable, which can create additional tracking and reporting responsibilities for facilities.

Depending on your operation, reducing VOCs, HAPs, TAPs, or photochemically reactive chemicals may help support environmental goals, simplify compliance efforts, and reduce exposure to increasingly strict regulatory requirements.

How ArroChem Can Help

ArroChem’s technical team can help customers review the products currently being used in their facility and identify where reportable chemical content may be highest. From there, we can help recommend alternative products or formulations designed to reduce or eliminate certain reportable chemicals where possible.

Our team can help evaluate:

• Products with high VOC content
• Products that may contain HAPs, TAPs, or photochemically reactive chemicals
• Cleaning products used in high-volume applications
• Solvent-based products that may have lower-emission alternatives
• Opportunities to reduce reporting burdens under programs such as SARA 313 and 311

Lower-VOC Solutions for Lithographic Printing

A strong example of this work can be found in the lithographic printing industry. In many printing environments, equipment and rollers are traditionally cleaned with chemicals such as IPA, MEK, or high-VOC blanket and press washes.

These products can be effective, but they may also contribute significantly to reportable emissions. For printers looking to reduce VOC usage without disrupting operations, ArroChem has developed alternative products designed to support cleaning performance while helping reduce emissions concerns.

EnviroWash: A Lower-VOC Press Wash Alternative

Many ArroChem customers have reduced or eliminated reportable emissions by switching to EnviroWash, a solvent-based press wash designed with less than 1% VOC content and no HAPs, TAPs, or photochemically reactive chemicals.

Because EnviroWash is solvent-based, it offers handling characteristics similar to products many facilities are already familiar with, while helping support lower-emission goals.

Additional Alternatives for Pressroom Applications

In addition to EnviroWash, ArroChem has developed other alternatives for printing and pressroom environments, including water-based press washes and vegetable oil-based press washes. These products are water-miscible, and cleaning strength can be adjusted through dilution depending on the ink system and application.

ArroChem has also developed alternative fountain solutions that can help significantly reduce VOC emissions compared to conventional IPA-based products.

Reducing Emissions Without Sacrificing Performance

Reducing VOCs and other reportable chemicals does not have to mean sacrificing cleaning performance or operational efficiency. With the right product selection, facilities can often reduce emissions exposure while maintaining effective cleaning, handling, and production workflows.

ArroChem works with customers to understand the application, current product usage, cleaning requirements, and compliance goals before recommending a solution.

Find the Right Alternative for Your Operation

If your facility is using high-VOC solvents, IPA-based products, methanol, MEK, or traditional press washes, ArroChem can help you explore lower-emission alternatives designed for your application.

Contact ArroChem today to discuss your current products, emissions concerns, and potential alternatives for reducing VOCs, HAPs, TAPs, and other reportable chemicals in your operation.