Sustainable, Multifunctional Polymers from Akzo Nobel

Akzo Nobel has introduced Structure Cel, a line of polymers that are water-soluble derivatives of cellulose, a renewable raw material. The derivatives include ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (EHEC), methyl ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (MEHEC) and hydrophobically-modified ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (HMEHEC). The four-item line includes viscosities of 500 cps (Structure Cel 500M); 4,400 cps (StructureCel 4400 E); 8,000 cps (Structure Cel 8000 M) and 12,000 cps (Structure Cel 12000 M).

According to Akzo Nobel, they may be used in a variety of water-based personal care systems as multifunctional thickeners, texture modifiers, emulsion stabilizers and rheology modifiers. At the same time, Structure Cel polymers deliver a number of potential improvements in personal care formulations, including:

• Providing more sustainable, nonionic rheology control.
• Modifying the aesthetics of a formulation delivering beneficial properties.
• Increasing the volume and quality of foam in cleansing systems.
• Improving efficiency and compatibility.
• Enabling the formulation of high-performing, differentiated consumer personal care products.

According to Akzo Nobel, Structure Cel polymers provide a number of features in shampoos and cleansers, including thickening, texture, foam boosting, creaminess and stability, and improved thickening efficiency. In addition, they are more surface-active than hydroxyethyl cellulose at much lower surfactant levels, which leads to the creation of milder systems and improves the economics of formulation development.

More info: Andy Girdharry, global marketing manager, hair care, email: [email protected]; Website: www.akzonobel.com/personalcare