Amines

Uses and Properties

The Amines Sector Group (AMSG) includes producers of ethyleneamines, i.e:

Ethylenediamine (EDA), used to produce TAED (tetraacetylethylenediamine), EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) and fungicides
Diethylenetriamine (DETA), mainly used as an epoxy curing agent and in the production of wet strength resins for paper
Higher amines, used to make additives for lubricating oils, engine fuels and asphalt and producers of ethanolamines
Monoethanolamine (MEA), mainly used as the raw material to produce ethyleneamines, detergents and metalworking fluids
Diethanolamine (DEA), mainly used for gas sweetening and in agrochemicals
Triethanolamines (TEA)
Aminoethylethanolamine (AEEA)

Issues and Regulations

Reach Implementation

Three new REACH Consortia (ethanol-, ethylene- and isopropanol amines) have been formed, through which manufacturers have joined efforts to prepare by 30 November 2010 consistent registration dossiers covering the following list of substances: Reach-Amines_2008
Consortium management: TSGE Europe

Regulations

The IPPC Directive codified as Directive 2008/1/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2008 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control: the AMSG is participating to the LVOC BREF review of ethanolamines.

Specific Issues

Maintaining a positive product image by promoting safe and proper use
Maintaining a high level of technical understanding of the products, identifying the needs for scientific and environmental research, sponsoring the work when needed and working with scientists and regulators for the interpretation of results
Maintaining a dialogue with regulators, opinion leaders and trade associations
Developing harmonised information on health, safety and environmental issues in relation to amines
Collecting statistics