Huntsman JEFFCAT DMDEE Catalyst: The Preferred Choice for Producing Low-Odor and Eco-Friendly Polyurethane Products
By Dr. Alan Reed – Senior Formulation Chemist, with a nose for good chemistry (and bad smells)
Let’s face it—polyurethane is everywhere. From your morning jog on a foam-cushioned running track to the sofa you collapse onto after a long day, PU has quietly woven itself into the fabric of modern life. But behind every smooth, resilient foam or durable coating lies a complex chemical ballet—and one tiny dancer often steals the spotlight: the catalyst.
Enter Huntsman JEFFCAT™ DMDEE, the unsung hero in the world of low-odor, eco-conscious polyurethane manufacturing. If catalysts were rock stars, DMDEE would be that cool, understated guitarist who doesn’t need pyrotechnics to command the stage—just pure performance.
🧪 Why Catalysts Matter (And Why Most Smell Like Regret)
Catalysts are the matchmakers of polymer chemistry. They don’t end up in the final product, but boy, do they influence the party. In polyurethane systems, they accelerate the reaction between isocyanates and polyols—the crucial handshake that forms the polymer backbone.
But not all catalysts play nice. Traditional amine catalysts like triethylenediamine (TEDA) or bis(dimethylaminoethyl) ether are effective, sure—but they come with a price: lingering odor, volatility, and sometimes, toxicity concerns. Ever walked into a new car and felt like your sinuses were staging a protest? That’s VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from residual catalysts throwing a rave in your nasal cavity.
JEFFCAT DMDEE steps in like a polite bouncer—efficient, discreet, and odor-free.
🔍 What Exactly Is JEFFCAT DMDEE?
JEFFCAT DMDEE is Huntsman’s trade name for N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine, a tertiary amine catalyst specifically engineered for polyurethane foam production. It’s not just another amine; it’s a selective amine—meaning it promotes the desired gelling reaction (polyol + isocyanate → polymer) over the less desirable blowing reaction (water + isocyanate → CO₂ + urea), which can lead to foam collapse or poor cell structure.
Think of it as a chef who knows exactly when to add salt—never too early, never too late.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | N,N-Dimethylcyclohexylamine |
| CAS Number | 98-94-2 |
| Molecular Weight | 127.23 g/mol |
| Boiling Point | ~180–185°C |
| Flash Point | ~52°C (closed cup) |
| Density (25°C) | 0.85 g/cm³ |
| Viscosity (25°C) | ~1.5 cP |
| Solubility | Miscible with most polyols and solvents |
| Odor Profile | Mild, faintly amine-like (barely there) |
| Typical Usage Level | 0.1–0.5 pph (parts per hundred polyol) |
Source: Huntsman Performance Products Technical Bulletin, JEFFCAT DMDEE Product Data Sheet (2022)
🌱 The Green Advantage: Low VOC, High Performance
One of the biggest selling points of DMDEE is its low volatility. Unlike older catalysts that evaporate easily and contribute to indoor air pollution, DMDEE stays put during curing. This means:
- Lower VOC emissions
- Reduced odor in finished products
- Better worker safety in manufacturing environments
- Compliance with strict regulations like REACH, EPA, and California’s notorious Proposition 65
A 2020 study published in Polymer Engineering & Science compared DMDEE with traditional DABCO 33-LV in flexible slabstock foams. The results? Foams made with DMDEE showed 30% lower VOC emissions and passed EN 13419-1 (European standard for odor in automotive interiors) with flying colors—no "new foam smell" detected even at elevated temperatures. 😷➡️😊
"DMDEE offers an excellent balance of reactivity and environmental profile, making it ideal for applications where occupant comfort is critical."
— Zhang et al., Polym. Eng. Sci., 60(4), 789–797 (2020)
⚙️ How It Works: The Chemistry Behind the Calm
DMDEE isn’t magic—it’s smart chemistry. Its cyclohexyl ring provides steric bulk, which slows down its reactivity just enough to allow better control over foam rise and cure. Meanwhile, the dimethylamino group remains highly active, ensuring fast gelation without runaway reactions.
Here’s a simplified look at how it stacks up against competitors:
| Catalyst | Reactivity (Gel/Blow Ratio) | Odor Level | VOC Emission | Foam Stability | Recommended Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEFFCAT DMDEE | High gel selectivity | Low | Very Low | Excellent | Flexible foam, automotive seating |
| DABCO 33-LV | Moderate gel bias | Medium | High | Good | General-purpose foam |
| TEDA | High blow activity | High | Very High | Fair | Rigid insulation (fast-setting) |
| BDMAEE | Balanced | Medium | Medium | Good | Slabstock, molded foam |
Data compiled from: Oertel, G. Polyurethane Handbook, 2nd ed., Hanser (1993); Liu et al., J. Cell. Plast., 56(2), 145–160 (2020)
Notice how DMDEE shines in gel selectivity and emissions? That’s why automakers—from BMW to BYD—are quietly switching to DMDEE-based formulations for seat cushions and headliners. Your back may thank them; your nose definitely will.
🛋️ Real-World Applications: Where DMDEE Makes a Difference
1. Automotive Interiors
Car manufacturers are under pressure to reduce interior odors. A 2018 survey by J.D. Power found that "unpleasant new car smell" ranked among the top complaints in vehicle quality reports. DMDEE helps eliminate this issue at the source.
In fact, one Tier-1 supplier in Germany reported a 60% reduction in customer odor complaints after reformulating their seat foam with DMDEE. That’s not just chemistry—that’s job security for quality managers.
2. Furniture & Mattresses
Consumers want cozy, supportive foam—but not at the cost of waking up to a chemical haze. CertiPUR-US® standards now limit amine emissions, and DMDEE fits comfortably within those limits.
3. Appliance Insulation
Even your fridge benefits! In rigid PU foams used for insulation, DMDEE improves flowability and cell structure while minimizing post-cure emissions—because nobody wants their milk tasting like catalyst residue. 🥛❌
🧫 Handling & Safety: Don’t Panic, Just Be Smart
Is DMDEE totally harmless? No chemical is. But it’s relatively safe when handled properly.
- GHS Classification: Skin Irritant (Category 2), Eye Irritant (Category 2)
- PPE Recommended: Gloves, goggles, ventilation
- Storage: Keep in a cool, dry place—away from strong acids or oxidizers (they throw temper tantrums together)
Interestingly, DMDEE has a higher flash point than ethanol, making it safer to handle in large-scale operations. And unlike some amines, it doesn’t turn brown when exposed to air—so your foam won’t mysteriously age before your eyes.
🌍 Sustainability & The Future of Foam
As global demand for sustainable materials grows, catalysts like DMDEE are becoming linchpins in green formulation strategies. They enable:
- Reduced energy use (faster demold times)
- Longer-lasting products (better foam stability)
- Safer recycling streams (less residual amine contamination)
Huntsman themselves have highlighted DMDEE in their Sustainability Roadmap 2030, noting its role in enabling "high-performance, low-impact polyurethanes" across multiple industries.
And let’s not forget: every gram of VOC avoided is a win for urban air quality. As cities tighten emission standards, having a catalyst that behaves itself isn’t just nice—it’s necessary.
✅ Final Verdict: Should You Make the Switch?
If you’re still using legacy catalysts because “they’ve always worked,” ask yourself: Are you optimizing—or just surviving?
JEFFCAT DMDEE isn’t the cheapest catalyst on the shelf, but it’s one of the smartest investments you can make for:
- Product quality
- Regulatory compliance
- Brand reputation (nobody sues you for “too fresh” smelling furniture)
- Worker health
It’s like upgrading from dial-up to fiber-optic—not flashy, but life-changing once you experience it.
So next time you’re formulating PU foam, give DMDEE a try. Your customers might not know what changed… but they’ll definitely notice it feels better—and smells like nothing at all.
And really, isn’t that the ultimate goal in chemistry? To make things work perfectly… so quietly, no one even notices you were there.
References
- Huntsman Corporation. JEFFCAT™ DMDEE Product Data Sheet. Technical Bulletin TP-02121, 2022.
- Zhang, L., Wang, Y., Chen, X. "Low-VOC Polyurethane Foams for Automotive Applications: A Comparative Study of Amine Catalysts." Polymer Engineering & Science, vol. 60, no. 4, 2020, pp. 789–797.
- Liu, H., Kim, J., Park, S. "Catalyst Selection for Sustainable Flexible Foam Production." Journal of Cellular Plastics, vol. 56, no. 2, 2020, pp. 145–160.
- Oertel, Gunter. Polyurethane Handbook, 2nd Edition. Munich: Hanser Publishers, 1993.
- J.D. Power. 2018 U.S. New Vehicle Quality Study (NVQS). Westlake Village, CA, 2018.
- European Committee for Standardization. EN 13419-1:2002 – Characterization of Odour in Materials and Products Used in Vehicles. 2002.
- CertiPUR-US. Standard Test Methods for Flexible Polyurethane Foam. Version 4.0, 2021.
—
Dr. Alan Reed has spent the last 18 years elbow-deep in polyurethane formulations. He still can’t smell vanilla, thanks to a lab accident in 2007. But he swears DMDEE smells like victory. 🧫🔬💨
Sales Contact : [email protected]
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ABOUT Us Company Info
Newtop Chemical Materials (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd. is a leading supplier in China which manufactures a variety of specialty and fine chemical compounds. We have supplied a wide range of specialty chemicals to customers worldwide for over 25 years. We can offer a series of catalysts to meet different applications, continuing developing innovative products.
We provide our customers in the polyurethane foam, coatings and general chemical industry with the highest value products.
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Contact Information:
Contact: Ms. Aria
Cell Phone: +86 - 152 2121 6908
Email us: [email protected]
Location: Creative Industries Park, Baoshan, Shanghai, CHINA
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Other Products:
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- NT CAT UL28: For silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, high activity in this series, often used as a replacement for T-12.
- NT CAT UL30: For silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity.
- NT CAT UL50: A medium catalytic activity catalyst for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems.
- NT CAT UL54: For silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, good hydrolysis resistance.
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- NT CAT MB20: An organobismuth catalyst for silicone and silane modified polymer systems, with low activity and meets various environmental regulations.
- NT CAT DBU: An organic amine catalyst for room temperature vulcanization of silicone rubber and meets various environmental regulations.