Polyurethane foam is made from polyols, polyisocyanates and additives such as catalysts, silicone surfactants, flame retardants, anti-oxidants, chain-extenders, crosslinkers, release agent, etc.Some of the components are classified as VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) and recently automotive manufacturers have begun to reduce or eliminate the use of these compoundsTertiary amine catalysts typically emit to some degree from polyurethane foams.They have become a target for elimination because of their destructive interaction with vinyl materials and unpleasant odor.Some automotive manufacturers intend to quit using conventional amine catalysts and replace them with innovative catalysts, which do not exhibit emission problems.To overcome the emission problem, catalysts such as high b.p. catalysts and reactive amine catalysts have been proposed and evaluated, however, the emission problem has not been settled.The challenge is to select or develop a catalyst to solve the emission problem, i.e. a catalyst exhibiting little or no emissions, while maintaining the foam system's kinetic and phys. properties.Another challenge lies in the evaluation and measurement of emissions; due to the low usage level of amine catalysts in foams.TOSOH Corporation has investigated the emission of amine catalysts, especially reactive amine catalysts, systematically via a variety of test methods, including fogging tests based on the DIN test method, head space techniques and extraction test methods.Although many reactive amine catalysts show significant emissions, TOSOH has developed reactive amine catalyst systems, having special chem. formulas, which exhibit very little emissions.Foam properties using the new TOSOH catalysts are comparable to foam produced with conventional catalysts.This paper details the emission data of select amine catalysts and corresponding foam properties, reviews the emission procedures utilized, and recommends a suitable test method for evaluating amine emission.