The coatings industry, just like every other segment of the chemical industry, is innovating in response to new and expanding environmental regulations. As one of the world's biggest users of chemical ingredients, coatings manufacturers are under intense pressure to meet new standards but also provide affordable and efficient products. Innovative companies have responded with new additives that help achieve goals such as reducing levels of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOC), as well as making certain that coatings that come in contact with foods are up to today's safety standards.