Uses and compositions

Abstract

Use of a polyol ester to treat surfaces, which are not homecare substrates, provides increased water repellency, reduced friction, or improved visual appearance. The polyol ester is a reaction product

Description

Various compounds and compositions are known to impart various properties to substrates, especially the surfaces of substrates, with which they are contacted. Some materials have surfaces (such as rough and / or water absorbent surfaces) that readily accumulate dust and / or dirt and are difficult to clean. This can cause problems such as reducing the cleanliness, robustness, and / or longevity of the material, as well as making the material aesthetically unappealing. It can be desirable to apply suitable compounds and compositions to such materials to provide benefits such as increased water repellency, reduced friction, and improved visual appearance (such as improved visual appearance). Silicone compounds, such as polydimethylsiloxane, functionalised polydimethylsiloxanes, organosilicones, and related compounds are widely used to impart water repelling, low-friction and shine properties to surfaces, including imparting lubrication and / or softening properties. However, there are a number of disadvantages associated with the use of such silicone compounds, including their low biodegradability, which has led to environmental concerns. It is thus an object of the invention to provide an alternative to silicone compounds that can be used in a wide range of applications to provide impart water repelling, low-friction and shine properties to surfaces, including imparting lubrication and / or softening properties. It is another object of the invention to provide alternatives to silicone compounds that are more biodegradable whilst having equal or improved water repelling, low-friction and shine properties to surfaces, including imparting lubrication and / or softening properties. Summary of the Invention According to aspects of the present invention, there is provided a use, method, composition and substrate as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and from the description which follows. The inventors have identified that certain polyol esters can provide at least one of increased water repellency, reduced friction, and improved visual appearance to surfaces, which is at least comparable to that provided by known silicone compounds, whilst also being more biodegradable. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a use of a polyol ester to treat a surface, wherein the surface is not a surface of a home care substrate and wherein treating the surface provides at least one effect selected from (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance; and wherein the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and the or each second reactant is a polyol. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of treating a surface, wherein the surface is not a surface of a home care substrate and wherein treating the surface provides at least one effect selected from (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance, the method comprising contacting the surface with a polyol ester, wherein the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and the or each second reactant is a polyol. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a composition fortreating a surface that is not a surface of a home care substrate, wherein treating the surface provides at least one effect selected from (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance, and wherein the composition comprises one or more polyol esters, wherein the or each polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and the or each second reactant is a polyol. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is a provided a substrate that is not a home care substrate, wherein a surface of the substrate is treated with a polyol ester, wherein the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and the or each second reactant is a polyol. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and from the description which follows. Features described in relation to the third and fourth aspects may have any of the suitable features and advantages described in relation to the first and second aspects. Detailed Description of the Invention Unless otherwise stated, the following terms used in the specification and claims have the meanings set out below. The terms “alkyl” and “alkylene” include both straight and branched chain alkyl and alkylene groups respectively unless otherwise stated. References to individual alkyl groups such as “propyl” are specific for the straight chain version only and references to individual branched chain alkyl groups such as “isopropyl” are specific for the branched chain version only. For example, “C3-30 alkyl” includes C6-24 alkyl, Ce-s alkyl, propyl, isopropyl and t-butyl. The term “alkenyl” includes both straight and branched chain alkenyl groups. References to individual alkenyl groups such as “propenyl” are specific for the straight chain version only and references to individual branched chain alkenyl groups such as “isopropenyl” are specific for the branched chain version only. For example, “C3-30 alkenyl” includes C6-24 alkenyl, Ce-s alkenyl, propenyl and isopropenyl. Herein C3-30 means a group having from 3 to 30 carbons atoms therein, for example having 3, 4, 5 etc up to 30 carbon atoms. The term "hydrocarbyl" is used in its ordinary sense, which is well-known to those skilled in the art. Specifically, it refers to a group having a carbon atom directly attached to the remainder of the molecule and having predominantly hydrocarbon character. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an," and "the" include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Throughout this specification, the term “comprising” or “comprises” means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of other components. The term “consisting essentially of’ or “consists essentially of’ means including the components specified but excluding other components except for components added for a purpose other than achieving the technical effect of the invention. The term “consisting of’ or “consists of’ means including the components specified but excluding other components. Whenever appropriate, depending upon the context, the use of the term “comprises” or “comprising” may also be taken to include the meaning “consists essentially of’ or “consisting essentially of’, and also may also be taken to include the meaning “consists of’ or “consisting of’. As used herein, unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers such as those expressing values, ranges, amounts of percentages may be read as if prefaced by the word “about”, even if the term does not expressly appear. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all integer numbers and, where appropriate, fractions subsumed within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 can include 1,2,3,4 when referring to, for example, a number of elements, and can also include 1.5, 2, 2.70 and 3.80, when referring to, for example, measurements). The recitation of end points also includes the end point values themselves (e.g. from 1.0 to 5.0 includes both 1.0 and 5.0). Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. The optional features set out herein may be used either individually or in combination with each other where appropriate and particularly in the combinations as set out in the accompanying claims. The optional features for each exemplary aspect of the invention, as set out herein are also applicable to any other aspects or exemplary aspects of the invention, where appropriate. In other words, the skilled person reading this specification should consider the optional features for each aspect or embodiment of the invention as interchangeable and combinable between different aspects of the invention. As used herein, the term "and / or," when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a list is described as comprising group A, B, and / or C, the list can comprise A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination, B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination. The term “reactant” is used herein to refer to a compound comprising at least one reactive functional group. As reported herein, the number average molecular weight was determined by gel permeation chromatography using a polystyrene standard according to ASTM D6579-11 (“Standard Practice for Molecular Weight Averages and Molecular Weight Distribution of Hydrocarbon, Rosin and Terpene Resins by Size Exclusion Chromatography”. UV detector; 254 nm, solvent: unstabilised THF, retention time marker: toluene, sample concentration: 2mg / ml). According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a use of a polyol ester to treat a surface, wherein the surface is not a surface of a home care substrate and wherein treating the surface provides at least one effect selected from (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance; and wherein the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and the or each second reactant is a polyol. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of treating a surface, wherein the surface is not a surface of a home care substrate and wherein treating the surface provides at least one effect selected from (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance, the method comprising contacting the surface with a polyol ester, wherein the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and the or each second reactant is a polyol. Suitable features of the first and second aspects will now be described. The polyol ester as used herein is the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants as defined herein. In other words, the polyol ester may be obtainable or obtained by reacting reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants as defined herein. By “polyol ester” we mean the ester of a polyol. The polyol may be partially or fully esterified. Preferably, the polyol ester is partially esterified. The partially esterified polyol ester comprises one or more hydroxy groups, such as two or more hydroxy groups. The polyol ester as used herein may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants as defined herein. In other words, the polyol ester may be obtainable or obtained by reacting reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants as defined herein. The first and second reactants may be reacted in any suitable molar ratio to make the polyol ester, as would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art. Thus repeat units in the polyol ester derived from the first and second reactants may be present in the polyol ester in any suitable molar ratio and in any suitable arrangement. The first and second reactants may be reacted in a molar ratio of from 1:10 to 10:1, preferably from 1:6 to 6:1, for example from 1:3 to 3:1. Ratios refer to the total amounts of first reactants or second reactants if more than one first reactant or second reactant is present. The polyol ester may be prepared by any suitable method, as would be known to persons skilled in the art. References herein to a reaction product of reactants comprising the first and second reactants are intended to refer to a product of the reaction of reactants comprising the first and second reactants conducted in any suitable manner. For example, the reaction may occur between the first and second reactants in the absence of other reactant(s) or may occur in the presence of other reactant(s). References herein to a reactant are intended to refer to the compounds that react to form the polyol ester and are not intended to include a catalyst used in the reaction. The or each of the one or more first reactants used to make the polyol ester is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof. Mixtures of two or more different first reactants (i.e. different monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof) may be used to make the polyol ester. Any suitable monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof may be used to make the polyol ester, as would be understood by the person skilled in the art. The first reactant may be a monocarboxylic acid or an ester thereof. The monocarboxylic acid may be aliphatic or aromatic. The aliphatic monocarboxylic acid may be cycloaliphatic. The aliphatic monocarboxylic acid may be saturated or unsaturated. By the term “unsaturated” we mean that the monocarboxylic acid comprises one or more carbon-carbon double bonds. Preferably the monocarboxylic acid is aliphatic. Suitably, the monocarboxylic acid does not contain more than one hydroxy group. Preferably, the monocarboxylic acid does not contain any hydroxy groups. The monocarboxylic acid may contain from 2 to 40 carbon atoms, suitably from 4 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, for example from 8 to 18 carbon atoms. The monocarboxylic acid may be a fatty acid. Examples of suitable monocarboxylic acids include hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, myristoleic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, linoleic acid, linolelaidic acid, arachidic acid, arachidonic acid, behenic acid, and erucic acid. Preferably, the monocarboxylic acid is selected from hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, or erucic acid (more preferably from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, or erucic acid, even more preferably from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, or stearic acid). The first reactant may be an ester of the monocarboxylic acid. The ester of the monocarboxylic acid is suitably a hydrocarbyl ester, such as an alkyl ester, an alkenyl ester, an aryl ester, an aralkyl ester, or an alkaryl ester. Preferably the ester is an alkyl ester. The alkyl ester is suitably formed by reacting the monocarboxylic acid with an alkanol. The alkanol suitably contains from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, such as from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The alkanol is preferably methanol. The alkyl ester is preferably a methyl ester. The ester of the monocarboxylic acid may be a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). The ester of the monocarboxylic acid may be selected from methyl hexanoate, methyl octanoate, methyl decanoate, methyl laurate, methyl myristate, methyl myristoleate, methyl palmitate, methyl palmitoleate, methyl stearate, methyl oleate, methyl elaidate, methyl linoleate, methyl linolelaidate, methyl arachidate, methyl arachidonate, methyl behenate, or methyl erucate. Preferably, the ester acid is selected from methyl octanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, methyl oleate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate. More preferably, the ester of the monocarboxylic acid is selected from methyl octanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, methyl oleate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate. A most preferred ester of the monocarboxylic acid is selected from methyl oleate. The monocarboxylic acid or the ester thereof may be selected from hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, myristoleic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, linoleic acid, linolelaidic acid, arachidic acid, arachidonic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, or an ester (preferably a methyl ester) thereof. The monocarboxylic acid or the ester thereof may be selected from hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, erucic acid, or an ester (preferably a methyl ester) thereof. The monocarboxylic acid or the ester thereof is preferably oleic acid or an ester (preferably a methyl ester) thereof. Preferably, the monocarboxylic acid or the ester thereof may be selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, erucic acid, methyl octanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, methyl oleate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate (most preferably selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, or, methyl oleate). Preferably, the monocarboxylic acid or the ester thereof may be selected from hexanoic acid, methyl octanoate, lauric acid, methyl laurate, stearic acid, methyl stearate, methyl oleate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate. The monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof compounds discussed herein may be commercially available or may be prepared using procedures well known in the art. The or each of the one or more second reactants used to make the polyol ester is a polyol. Mixtures of two or more different second reactants (i.e. different polyols) may be used to make the polyol ester. Any suitable polyol may be used to make the polyol ester, as would be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term polyol is used to refer to any compound including two or more hydroxy (OH) functional groups. In some embodiments the or each polyol may comprise carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms, and optionally additionally nitrogen atoms. In other embodiments, the or each polyol may consist essentially of or consist of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Suitable polyols for preparing the polyol ester may be compounds having from 2 to 10, preferably from 2 to 6, more preferably 2 or 3, hydroxy groups. Most preferred polyols have from 2 to 8 hydroxy groups. Suitable polyols may include one or more of a polyol of formula (I): H-(OR1)P-OH (I) wherein each R1 is independently an optionally substituted hydrocarbylene group and p is an integer of at least 1. When p is an integer of greaterthan 1, the polyol of formula (I) may comprise groups R1 that are all the same or may comprise groups R1 that are different. Suitably, each R1 in the formula (I) may be the same. Preferably p is an integer from 1 to 140, such as from 1 to 110, from 1 to 40 or from 1 to 10. For example, suitable polyols may include one or more of a polyol of formula (IA): H-(OR2)q-OH (IA) wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1. When q is an integer of greater than 1, the polyol of formula (IA) may comprise groups R2 that are all the same or may comprise groups R2 that are different. Suitably, each R2 in the formula (IA) is the same. Preferably q is an integer from 1 to 140, such as from 1 to 110, from 1 to 40 or from 1 to 10. When the polyol of formula (I) or (IA) contains a substituted hydrocarbylene or alkylene group, any suitable substituent may be present, such as for example a carboxy or amido substituent. The polyol of formula (IA) may have more than 2 hydroxy groups and the group R2 may be a hydroxy substituted alkylene group. Each hydroxy substituted alkylene group R2 may have 1,2 or more hydroxy groups. Each hydroxy substituted alkylene group R2 may preferably have 1 hydroxy group. The polyol of formula (IA) may have 2 hydroxy groups and the group R2 may be an optionally substituted alkylene group wherein the optional substituent is not hydroxy. The polyol of formula (I) or of formula (IA) may be a sugar derived compound in which R1 or R2 includes one or more hydroxy residues. The or each R1 or R2 may represent a cyclic alkylene unit. One or more heteroatoms (for example oxygen atoms) may be present in the cyclic alkylene unit. For example the unit may contain an ether linkage. Suitably the or each R1 or R2 may be one or more saccharide units or may be substituted with one or more saccharide units. Suitably the or each R1 or R2 may be an unsubstituted alkylene group. Preferably the or each R1 or R2 is an optionally substituted alkylene group having from 1 to 50, such as from 1 to 40, preferably from 1 to 30, more preferably from 1 to 20, suitably from 1 to 12 or from 1 to 10, for example from 2 to 6, carbon atoms. Preferably the or each R1 or R2 is an unsubstituted alkylene group having from 1 to 50, preferably from 1 to 20, more preferably from 1 to 12 or from 1 to 10, suitably from 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Each R1 or R2 may be straight chained or branched. Suitably the or each R1 or R2 may be an ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentylene, hexylene or dodecylene group. When R1 or R2 has more than 2 carbon atoms any isomer may be present. Preferably R1 or R2 is an ethylene or a propylene group, most preferably an ethylene group. When q is 1, R2 may be a group of formula (CH2)x wherein x is from 2 to 12, preferably from 3 to 12. Suitably when q is 1, R2 may be a straight chain or branched optionally substituted alkylene group and the polyol may be selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,12-dodecanediol, trimethylolpropane, 2-ethyl-1,3,-hexanediol, 2,2-diethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, xylitol, glycerol and neopentyl glycol (preferably selected from 1,6-hexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid, sorbitol, xylitol and glycerol). Suitably when q is 1, R2 may be a straight chain or branched alkylene group having from 2 to 12, preferably from 3 to 12, carbon atoms. Suitable compounds of this type include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,12-dodecanediol, trimethylolpropane, 2-ethyl-1,3,-hexanediol, 2,2-diethyl-1,3-propanediol, pentaerythritol and neopentyl glycol (preferably selected from 1,6-hexanediol and trimethylolpropane). Suitably when q is 1, R2 may be a branched alkylene group having from 2 to 12, preferably from 3 to 12, carbon atoms. Suitable compounds of this type include propylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, trimethylolpropane, 2-ethyl-1,3,-hexanediol, 2,2-diethyl-1,3-propanediol, pentaerythritol and neopentyl glycol (preferably trimethylolpropane). Suitably when q is 2 or more, the or each R2 may be a straight chain or branched alkylene group and the polyol may, for example, be selected from diglycerol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol (especially from polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, most especially polypropylene glycol). Suitably when q is 2 or more, the or each R2 may be a straight chain or branched alkylene group having from 2 to 4, preferably 2 or 3, carbon atoms. Suitable compounds of this type include diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, di propylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol (PEG), for example having a number average molecular weight of from 150 to 6000, and polypropylene glycol (PPG), for example having a number average molecular weight of from 400 to 2000. Suitable polyols may include one or more of PEG 6000, PEG 1500, PEG 1000, PEG 600, PEG 400, PEG 200, PPG 2000, PPG 1000 and PPG 425. The or each R1 or R2 may comprise a mixture of isomers. For example when R1 or R2 is propylene, the polyol may include moieties -CH2CH(CH3)- and -CH(CH3)CH2- in any order within the chain. R1 or R2 may comprise a mixture of different groups for example ethylene, propylene or butylene units. The or each R2 may be an ethylene, propylene or butylene group. For example, the or each R2 may be an n-propylene or n-butylene group or an isopropylene or isobutylene group. For example the or each R11 may be -CH2CH2-, -CH2CH(CH3)-, - CH(CH3)CH2-, CH2CH2CH2-, -CH2C(CH3)2-, -CH2CH2CH2CH2-, -CH(CH3)CH(CH3)- or-CH2CH(CH2CH3)-. Preferably R2 is selected from -CH2CH2-, -CH2CH2CH2-, -CH(CH3)CH2- or -CH2CH(OH)CH2, more preferably from -CH2CH2-, and-CH2CH2CH2-. Suitably the polyol of formula (I) or (IA) may be a sugar derived alcohol, for example, xylitol, glucose, fructose, trehalose, sucrose, lactose, maltose or sorbitol. Preferably, the polyol of formula (I) or (IA) may be a sugar derived alcohol selected from glucose, fructose, trehalose, sucrose, lactose, maltose or sorbitol, preferably from sucrose, lactose, maltose, or sorbitol, more preferably from sorbitol or sucrose. Most preferably the polyol of formula (I) or (IA) may be a sugar derived alcohol that is sucrose. Suitably the polyol of formula (I) may be selected from one or more of 1,12-dodecanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, trimethylolpropane, neopentyl glycol, polyethylene glycol (such as PEG 6000, PEG 1500, PEG 1000, PEG 600, PEG 400, PEG 200), polypropylene glycol (such as PPG 2000, PPG 1000, PPG 425, especially PPG 2000), sorbitol, trimethylolpropane and xylitol. Suitably, the polyol, for example of formula (I), may be an ester of glycerol (also known as a glyceride) and a hydroxycarboxylic acid. The ester of glycerol may be a mono-, di- or triglyceride, suitably a tri-glyceride. Suitably, the hydroxycarboxylic acid comprises one or more hydroxyl groups and one or more carboxylic acid groups. The hydroxycarboxylic acid may be a monocarboxylic acid comprising one or more hydroxyl groups. The hydroxycarboxylic acid may be of the formula R3COOH, wherein R3 is a hydroxyl-substituted hydrocarbyl group. R3 is suitably a hydroxy-substituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkaryl group, preferably a hydroxy-substituted alkyl or alkenyl group. R3 suitably comprises from 1 to 25 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 17 carbon atoms. Suitably, the hydroxycarboxylic acid may be selected from glycolic acid, lactic acid, hydroxy butyric acid, hydroxyvaleric acid, hydroxycaproic acid, hydroxystearic acid (preferably 12-hydroxystearic acid), 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid, mandelic acid or ricinoleic acid. Preferably, the hydroxycarboxylic acid or the cyclic ester thereof may be selected from glycolic acid, mandelic acid, ricinoleic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid or citric acid. More preferably, the hydroxycarboxylic acid or the cyclic ester thereof is ricinoleic acid. Preferably, when the polyol is an ester of glycerol, the polyol may be a mono-, di- or tri-glyceride of ricinoleic acid. Most preferably, when the polyol is an ester of glycerol, the polyol may be a tri-glyceride of ricinoleic acid, such as castor oil. Suitable polyols may include one or more of an alkoxylated polyol, such as an alkoxylated polyol of formula (I) or (IA). By an alkoxylated polyol of formula (I) or (IA) we mean the reaction product of a polyol of formula (I) or (IA) and one or more alkylene oxides, such as ethylene oxide or propylene oxide. Such alkoxylated polyols may include polyoxyethylene (80) sorbitan monooleate (also known as Tween® 80) and 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol ethoxylate. Preferably, the or each polyol may be independently selected from castor oil, 1,6-hexanediol, sorbitol, neopentyl glycol and a polyalkylene glycol (such as PEG 200). When the or each polyol comprises carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen atoms, the or each polyol may comprise two or more (such as 2 or 3) hydroxy groups and one or more (suitably one) amine groups. The amine groups may suitably be secondary or tertiary amines. Preferably the amine groups are tertiary amines. These polyols may be referred to herein as nitrogen containing polyols. Preferably, the polyol is not sorbitan. For example, suitable nitrogen containing polyols may include one or more of a polyol of formula (II) or a derivative thereof: NR4R5R6 (II) wherein R4, R5 and R6 are each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxyalkyl and hydrocarbyl, provided that at least two of R4, R5 and R6 represents a hydroxyalkyl group. Preferably, the at least two of R4, R5 and R6 that represent a hydroxyalkyl group are the same. For example, in the compounds of formula (II), R4 and R5 may each represent hydroxyalkyl and R6 may represent hydrogen, hydroxyalkyl or hydrocarbyl. In the formula (II), the hydroxyalkyl group may contain from 1 to 8, such as from 1 to 4, such as 2 or 3, carbon atoms. For example, each hydroxyalkyl group may be hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl, particularly hydroxyethyl. In the formula (II), the hydrocarbyl group (when present) may represent any suitable such group, such as an alkyl group, for example an alkyl group containing from 1 to 10, such as from 1 to 6 or from 1 to 4, carbon atoms. Thus, the hydrocarbyl group may represent a methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl group (especially butyl or methyl, most especially methyl). For example, in the compounds of formula (II), R4 and R5 may each represent hydroxyalkyl and R6 may represent hydrogen, hydroxyalkyl or hydrocarbyl (especially hydrogen or hydrocarbyl, more especially hydrocarbyl). Preferably in the compounds of formula (II), R4 and R5 both represent hydroxyethyl and R6 represents hydrogen or hydrocarbyl, such as a hydrocarbyl group containing from 1 to 6, or from 1 to 4, carbon atoms. Preferably in the compounds of formula (II), R4 and R5 both represent hydroxyethyl and R6 represents hydrogen or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6, or from 1 to 4, carbon atoms (especially methyl). Examples of suitable nitrogen containing polyols include N-methyl diethanolamine, N-butyl diethanolamine, triethanolamine and diethanolamine, and derivatives thereof. Preferred nitrogen containing polyols may include N-methyl diethanolamine and N-butyl diethanolamine (especially N-methyl diethanolamine), and derivatives thereof. References herein to nitrogen containing polyols include derivatives thereof, such as a corresponding quaternary compound. Thus, as example of a suitable derivative of a nitrogen containing polyol is tris(2-hydroxyalkyl)methylammonium compound, for example tris(2-hydroxyethyl)methylammonium methylsulfate, which is a quaternary ammonium salt of triethanolamine. Preferably, the or each nitrogen containing polyol may be independently selected from N-butyl diethanolamine, diethanolamine and N-methyl diethanolamine (especially N-methyl diethanolamine and N-butyl diethanolamine), and derivatives (for example quaternary ammonium salts) thereof. Further examples of suitable nitrogen containing polyols include those formed by reaction of a hydroxy substituted cyclic ester or cyclic carbonate, such as glycerol carbonate or gluconolactone, with a suitable primary or secondary amine compound, such as ethanolamine, dipropylamine, hexylamine, dodecylamine, phenethylamine, dipropylamine, ethylenediamine, or a polyether polyamine. Suitable polyether amines may include polyether monoamines (such as for example Jeffamine M-1000) and polyether polyamines (such as for example Jeffamine ED-600). As the skilled person would appreciate, the reaction of a hydroxy substituted cyclic ester or cyclic carbonate with a suitable primary or secondary amine compound will result in a ring opening reaction to form a compound such as a N-carbamoyl polyol or an amido polyol. The or each second reactant may be a polyol selected from one or more polyol of the formula (I) or (IA) as defined herein (including an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as castor oil)), one or more of an alkoxylated polyol of formula (I) or (IA) as defined herein, one or more nitrogen containing polyol as defined herein (including compounds of the formula (II)) and one or more polyol formed by reaction of a hydroxy substituted cyclic ester or cyclic carbonate with a suitable primary or secondary amine compound. Preferably, the or each second reactant may be a polyol selected from one or more polyol of the formula (I) or (IA) as defined herein (including an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as castor oil)), one or more of an alkoxylated polyol of formula (I) or (IA) as defined herein, one or more nitrogen containing polyol of the formula (II) as defined herein and one or more polyol formed by reaction of a hydroxy substituted cyclic ester or cyclic carbonate with a suitable primary or secondary amine compound. Preferably, the or each second reactant may be a polyol selected from one or more polyol of the formula (I) or (IA) as defined herein (including an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as castor oil)), one or more of an alkoxylated polyol of formula (I) or (IA) as defined herein, and one or more nitrogen containing polyol of the formula (II) as defined herein More preferably, the or each second reactant may be a polyol selected from one or more polyol of the formula (I) or (IA) as defined herein (such as an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid , for example castor oil), and one or more nitrogen containing polyol of the formula (II) as defined herein. In one embodiment, the or each second reactant may be a polyol selected from one or more polyol of the formula (I) or (IA) as defined herein, such as an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (for example castor oil). In another embodiment, the or each second reactant may be a polyol selected from one or more of an alkoxylated polyol of formula (I) or (IA) as defined herein. In one embodiment, the or each second reactant may be a polyol selected from one or more polyol of the formula (I) or (IA) as defined herein, such as an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (for example castor oil) and from one or more of an alkoxylated polyol of formula (I) or (IA) as defined herein. In another embodiment, the or each second reactant may be a polyol selected from one or more nitrogen containing polyol as defined herein (including compounds of the formula (II)). In another embodiment, the or each second reactant may be a polyol selected from one or more polyol formed by reaction of a hydroxy substituted cyclic ester or cyclic carbonate with a suitable primary or secondary amine compound. In one embodiment, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one (i.e. a single) monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and one (i.e. a single) polyol. In other embodiments, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising two different monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof and one (i.e. a single) polyol, or the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one (i.e. a single) monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and two different polyols. In one embodiment, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one (i.e. a single) monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and one (i.e. a single) polyol. In other embodiments, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of two different monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof and one (i.e. a single) polyol, or the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one (i.e. a single) monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and two different polyols. The combined amount of the one or more first reactants and the one or more second reactants may be at least 50 mol%, suitably at least 75 mol%, preferably at least 90 mol%, for example at least 95 wt% of the reactants that are reacted to obtain the polyol ester. The polyol ester for use herein is suitably the reaction product of no more than four different reactants. Preferably, the polyol ester is the reaction product of no more than three different reactants. For example, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of two different first reactants and one second reactant as disclosed herein. In some preferred embodiments, the polyol ester is the reaction product of only two different reactants, i.e. one first reactant and one second reactant as disclosed herein (and no further reactants). The polyol esters may be prepared from the first and second reactants by any suitable method, as would be known to the person skilled in the art. The esterification reaction will typically be conducted in the presence of a suitable polyol esterification catalyst, such as tin(ll) ethylhexanoate, tin(ll) oxalate, p-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, or sulfuric acid. The reaction may be carried out for any suitable length of time, such as at least 1 hour, preferably at least 3 hours, for example at least 5 hours. The reaction may be carried out at any suitable temperature, such as from 50 to 300°C, preferably from 100 to 200°C. References herein to a reactant are intended to refer to the compounds that react to form the polyol and are not intended to include a catalyst used in the reaction. Suitable molar ratios of the first and second reactants may be used to prepare the polyol esters. Suitably, the polyol ester is not further reacted after the reaction of the reactants. The one or more monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof and the one or more polyols may be reacted in a molar ratio of from 1:1 to 10:1, such as from 1:1 to 8:1, for example from 1:1 to 6:1. Ratios refer to the total amounts of monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof or polyols if more than one monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof or polyol is present. The one or more monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof and the one or more polyols may be reacted in a molar ratio of from 0.5:1 to 1.5:1, such as a molar ratio of 1:1. The one or more monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof and the one or more polyols may be reacted in a molar ratio of from 1.5:1 to 2.5:1, such as a molar ratio of 2:1. The one or more monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof and the one or more polyols may be reacted in a molar ratio of from 2.5:1 to 3.5:1, such as a molar ratio of 3:1. The one or more monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof and the one or more polyols may be reacted in a molar ratio of from 3.5:1 to 4.5:1, such as a molar ratio of 4:1. The one or more monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof and the one or more polyols may be reacted in a molar ratio of from 5.5:1 to 6.5:1, such as a molar ratio of 6:1. Suitably, at least one of the monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof may be a fatty acid having from 6 to 28 carbon atoms, such as from 10 to 22 carbon atoms, or an ester thereof. At least one of the monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof may be a saturated fatty acid having from 6 to 28 carbon atoms, such as from 10 to 22 carbon atoms, or an ester thereof. The polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a fatty acid having from 6 to 28 carbon atoms or a methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as castor oil); an alkoxylated polyol (such as Tween 80); a nitrogen containing polyol; and a polyol of formula (IA) wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1. The polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a fatty acid having from 6 to 28 carbon atoms or a methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as castor oil), an alkoxylated polyol (such as Tween 80), a nitrogen containing polyol, and a polyol of formula (IA) wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1. The polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a fatty acid having from 6 to 28 carbon atoms or a methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as castor oil); a nitrogen containing polyol; and a polyol of formula (IA) wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1. The polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a fatty acid having from 6 to 28 carbon atoms or a methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as castor oil), a nitrogen containing polyol, and a polyol of formula (IA) wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1. The polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a saturated fatty acid having from 6 to 28 carbon atoms or a methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as castor oil), an alkoxylated polyol (such as Tween 80), a nitrogen containing polyol, and a polyol of formula (IA) wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1. The polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester that is a saturated fatty acid having from 6 to 28 carbon atoms or a methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as castor oil), an alkoxylated polyol (such as Tween 80), a nitrogen containing polyol, and a polyol of formula (IA) wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1. The polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a fatty acid having from 6 to 28 carbon atoms or a methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from an alkoxylated polyol (such as Tween 80), a nitrogen containing polyol, and a polyol of formula (IA) wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1. The polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a fatty acid having from 6 to 28 carbon atoms or a methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from an alkoxylated polyol (such as Tween 80), a nitrogen containing polyol, and a polyol of formula (IA) wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from hexanoic acid, decanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, erucic acid, methyl octanoate, methyl decanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil, Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose, maltose, sorbitol, xylitol, N-methyldiethanolamine, glycerol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid, PPG 2000, or 1,6-hexanediol. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from hexanoic acid, decanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, erucic acid, methyl octanoate, methyl decanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil, Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose, maltose, sorbitol, xylitol, N-methyldiethanolamine, glycerol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid, PPG 2000, or 1,6-hexanediol. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or esterthereof selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, erucic acid, methyl octanoate, methyl laurate, methyl oleate, methyl stearate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil, Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose, maltose, sorbitol, xylitol, N-methyldiethanolamine, glycerol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid, PPG 2000, or 1,6-hexanediol. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or esterthereof selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, erucic acid, methyl octanoate, methyl laurate, methyl oleate, methyl stearate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil, Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose, maltose, sorbitol, xylitol, N-methyldiethanolamine, glycerol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid, PPG 2000, or 1,6-hexanediol. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and a second reactant, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or esterthereof selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, erucic acid, methyl octanoate, methyl laurate, methyl oleate, methyl stearate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate; and the second reactant is castor oil. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and a second reactant, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, erucic acid, methyl octanoate, methyl laurate, methyl oleate, methyl stearate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate; and the second reactant is castor oil. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid or methyl oleate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil or sucrose. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid or methyl oleate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil or sucrose. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and a second reactant, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid or methyl oleate; and the second reactant is castor oil. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and a second reactant, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid or methyl oleate; and the second reactant is castor oil. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from hexanoic acid, decanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, erucic acid, methyl octanoate, methyl decanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, methyl oleate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose, maltose, sorbitol, xylitol, N-methyldiethanolamine, glycerol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid, PPG 2000, or 1,6-hexanediol. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from hexanoic acid, decanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, erucic acid, methyl octanoate, methyl decanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, methyl oleate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose, maltose, sorbitol, xylitol, N-methyldiethanolamine, glycerol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid, PPG 2000, or 1,6-hexanediol. Suitably, at least one of the monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof may be selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, erucic acid, methyl octanoate, methyl laurate, methyl oleate, methyl stearate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate. Preferably, at least one of the monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof may be selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, or methyl oleate. Suitably, at least one of the monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof may be selected from decanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, erucic acid, methyl decanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, methyl oleate or methyl erucate. Suitably, at least one of the monocarboxylic acids or esters thereof may be selected from decanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, erucic acid, methyl decanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, or methyl erucate. Suitably, at least one of the polyols has at least 3 hydroxy groups, for example at least 4 hydroxy groups. At least one of the polyols may have from 3 to 8 hydroxy groups, for example from 4 to 8 hydroxy groups. Suitably, at least one of the polyols may be selected from an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as castor oil), an alkoxylated polyol (such as Tween 80), and a polyol of formula (IA) wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1, and wherein at least one R2 is a hydroxy-substituted alkylene group. Suitably, at least one of the polyols may be selected from an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as castor oil), and a polyol of formula (IA) wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1, and wherein at least one R2 is a hydroxy-substituted alkylene group. Suitably, at least one of the polyols may be selected from an alkoxylated polyol (such as Tween 80), and a polyol of formula (IA) wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1, and wherein at least one R2 is a hydroxysubstituted alkylene group. Suitably, at least one of the polyols may be selected from an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as castor oil), Tween 80, a sugar derived compound (such as sucrose, maltose or lactose including hydrates thereof), or trimethylolpropane. When the polyol is castor oil, the one or more monocarboxylic acid or esters thereof and the polyol may be reacted in a molar ratio of from 0.5:1 to 1.5:1, preferably a molar ratio of 1:1. When the polyol has at least 4 hydroxy groups (such as when the polyol is Tween 80 or a sugar derived compound), the one or more monocarboxylic acid or esters thereof and the polyol may be reacted in a molar ratio of from 2:1 to 10:1, preferably a molar ratio of from 2:1 to 6:1. Suitably, at least one of the polyols may be selected from Tween 80, a sugar derived compound (such as sucrose, maltose or lactose including hydrates thereof), or trimethylolpropane. The polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a fatty acid having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms ora methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol having from 3 to 8 hydroxy groups. The polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a fatty acid having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms or a methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol having from 3 to 8 hydroxy groups. The polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a saturated fatty acid having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms or a methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol having from 3 to 8 hydroxy groups. The polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a saturated fatty acid having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms or a methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol having from 3 to 8 hydroxy groups. The polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a fatty acid having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms ora methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol having from 4 to 8 hydroxy groups. The polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a fatty acid having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms or a methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol having from 4 to 8 hydroxy groups. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from decanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, erucic acid, methyl decanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, methyl oleate or methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil, Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose or maltose. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from decanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, erucic acid, methyl decanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, methyl oleate or methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil, Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose or maltose. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or esterthereof selected from decanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, erucic acid, methyl decanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, or methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil, Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose or maltose. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or esterthereof selected from decanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, erucic acid, methyl decanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, or methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil, Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose or maltose. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from decanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, erucic acid, methyl decanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, methyl oleate or methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose or maltose. Suitably, the polyol ester may be the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from decanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, erucic acid, methyl decanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, methyl oleate or methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose or maltose. Preferably, the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising: (i) lauric acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1; (ii) stearic acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1; (iii) methyl oleate and sucrose, preferably in a molar ratio of 6:1; or (iv) hexanoic acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 3:1 or 2:1. Preferably, the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of: (i) lauric acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1; (ii) stearic acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1; (iii) methyl oleate and sucrose, preferably in a molar ratio of 6:1; or (iv) hexanoic acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 3:1 or 2:1. Preferably, the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising: (v) lauric acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1; (vi) stearic acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1; or (vii) hexanoic acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 3:1 or 2:1. Preferably, the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of: (i) lauric acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1; (ii) stearic acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1; or (iii) hexanoic acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 3:1 or 2:1. Preferably, the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising: (i) stearic acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1; (ii) methyl stearate and lactose (such as D-lactose monohydrate), preferably in a molar ratio of 4:1; (iii) methyl erucate and sucrose, preferably in a molar ratio of 4:1; (iv) lauric acid and Tween 80, preferably in a molar ratio of 3:1; (v) decanoic acid and trimethylolpropane, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1; (vi) methyl oleate and sucrose, preferably in a molar ratio of 6:1; (vii) methyl erucate and sucrose, preferably in a molar ratio of 2:1; (viii) methyl laurate and sucrose, preferably in a molar ratio of 6:1; (ix) methyl oleate and maltose (such as D-maltose monohydrate), preferably in a molar ratio of 4:1; or (x) methyl erucate and maltose (such as D-maltose monohydrate), preferably in a molar ratio of 4:1. Preferably, the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of: (i) stearic acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1; (ii) methyl stearate and lactose (such as D-lactose monohydrate), preferably in a molar ratio of 4:1; (iii) methyl erucate and sucrose, preferably in a molar ratio of 4:1; (iv) lauric acid and Tween 80, preferably in a molar ratio of 3:1; (v) decanoic acid and trimethylolpropane, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1; (vi) methyl oleate and sucrose, preferably in a molar ratio of 6:1; (vii) methyl erucate and sucrose, preferably in a molar ratio of 2:1; (viii) methyl laurate and sucrose, preferably in a molar ratio of 6:1; (ix) methyl oleate and maltose (such as D-maltose monohydrate), preferably in a molar ratio of 4:1; or (x) methyl erucate and maltose (such as D-maltose monohydrate) , preferably in a molar ratio of 4:1. Preferably, the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising: (i) stearic acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1; (ii) lauric acid and Tween 80, preferably in a molar ratio of 3:1; or (iii) decanoic acid and trimethylolpropane, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1. Preferably, the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants consisting essentially of or consisting of: (i) stearic acid and castor oil, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1; (ii) lauric acid and Tween 80, preferably in a molar ratio of 3:1; or (iii) decanoic acid and trimethylolpropane, preferably in a molar ratio of 1:1. Preferably, the polyol ester is substantially free of silicon atoms. By substantially free of silicon atoms we mean that the polyol ester contains less than 1 wt% of silicon in the polyol ester, preferably less than 0.5 wt% of silicon in the polyol ester. More preferably, the polyol ester is free of silicon atoms, by which we mean that it is not possible to detect silicon in the polyol ester. Suitable methods of measuring the amount of silicon in a polyol ester are well known to those skilled in art and include elemental analysis and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy. Preferably, the polyol ester is substantially free of fluorine atoms. The polyol ester may be substantially free of halogen atoms. By substantially free of fluorine or halogen atoms we mean that the polyol ester contains less than 1 wt% of fluorine or halogen in the polyol ester, preferably less than 0.5 wt% of fluorine or halogen in the polyol ester. More preferably, the polyol ester is free of fluorine atoms. The polyol ester may be free of halogen atoms. By free of fluorine or halogen atoms we mean that it is not possible to detect fluorine or halogen in the polyol ester. Suitable methods of measuring the amount of fluorine or halogen in a polyol ester are well known to those skilled in art and include elemental analysis and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy. Preferably, the polyol ester is substantially free of quaternary ammonium moieties. By substantially free of quaternary ammonium moieties we mean that the polyol ester contains less than 1 wt% of quaternary nitrogen atoms in the polyol ester, preferably less than 0.5 wt% of quaternary nitrogen atoms in the polyol ester. More preferably, the polyol ester is free of quaternary ammonium moieties, by which we mean that it is not possible to detect quaternary ammonium moieties in the polyol ester. The use of the polyol ester according to the first aspect is to treat a surface to provide at least one effect (i.e. to the substrate) selected from (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance. The method according to the second aspect treats a surface to provide at least one effect (i.e. to the substrate) selected from (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance. The use of the first aspect and method of the second aspect is to treat a surface. The surface is any surface that is not a surface of a home care substrate. The surface may be a surface of any suitable substrate, provided that it is not a home care substrate. References herein to treating and contacting a surface are intended to refer to treating or contacting the entire surface or a portion thereof. References to herein to (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance of a surface are intended to mean as compared to an otherwise identical surface that has not been treated with the polyol ester or composition as disclosed herein. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect treat a surface, wherein treating the surface provides at least one effect selected from: (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance. Treating the surface may provide at least one effect selected from: (a) increased water repellency, and (b) reduced friction. Treating the surface may provide: (a) increased water repellency, and (b) reduced friction. Treating the surface may provide at least two effects selected from: (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance. Treating the surface may provide: (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance. Treating the surface may provide (a) increased water repellency, i.e. to the surface. A surface with increased water repellency may have decreased water wettability. Wettability can be determined by measuring the contact angle between a liquid droplet and a solid surface, and a decrease in wettability may be demonstrated by measuring a greater contact angle following treatment of the surface with the polyol ester defined herein. Methods and equipment for the measurement of contact angle are well known to the skilled person. An example is ISO / TS 14778:2021 which is concerned with the measurement of contact angle on paper and board substrates. Water is less likely to adhere to water repellent surfaces, and water droplets may simply roll off the surface. In doing so, water droplets may carry undesirable particles, such as foulants, pollution, food waste, oils, dust or dirt away from the surface. Treating the surface may therefore provide an enhanced cleaning effect or self-cleaning effect, and / or increased resistance to undesirable particles such as foulants, pollution, food waste, oils, dust or dirt. Treating the surface may repel undesirable particles, such as foulants, pollution, food waste, oils, dust or dirt, and / or may prevent deep soiling. By repel undesirable particles we mean that treating the surface may reduce or prevent deposition of the undesirable particles on the surface. A surface with increased water repellency may dry more quickly. A surface with increased water repellency may substantially or completely prevent water from penetrating the surface, providing long-lasting protection against moisture, stains, and potential water damage. Methods and equipment for the measurement of water repellency are well known to the skilled person. An example is the test procedure TM22-2017e which may be used to measure the water repellency of a fabric. The water repellency of the surface of a substrate may be measured by weighing the substrate, immersing the substrate in water (for example, for 5 minutes), removing the substrate from the water and allowing excess water to drain off (for example, for 1 minute), then weighing the substrate again. The weight of the water in the substrate compared to the weight of the dry substrate (i.e. before immersion in water) corresponds to the water uptake of the substrate. A lower water uptake (i.e. relative to a control experiment in which the polyol ester is absent) corresponds to increased water repellency. A surface with increased water repellency may be especially useful for applications where surfaces require cleaning. For example, it is advantageous to provide a surface with increased water repellency, such that the surface may be readily and / or more effectively cleaned. Treating the surface may provide (b) reduced friction, i.e. to the surface. By providing reduced friction we mean that the surface has an increased smoothness and / or a reduced resistive force or coefficient of friction when an object is slid over the surface. A surface with reduced friction may be useful for applications where surfaces move against one another. Thus, when the effect is to provide reduced friction, this may advantageously provide improved lubrication. Thus, the use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide improved lubrication of a surface thereof. The use of the first aspect may therefore provide the use of a polyol ester as defined herein as a lubricant for a surface. The method of the second aspect may provide a method of lubricating a surface, the method comprising contacting the surface with a polyol ester as defined herein. The use of the first aspect may be the use of the polyol ester as defined herein as a lubricating agent. Friction between two surfaces may be determined by sliding the surfaces against one another and measuring the resistive force or coefficient of friction. The coefficient of friction of plastic films may be measured by the test procedure ASTM D1894. A surface with reduced friction may reduce the build up of static on the surface. Thus, treating the surface may provide (b) reduced friction and thereby provide an antistatic effect. A surface with an antistatic effect may advantageously reduce the buildup of dust and reduce electric discharges when the surface contacts another surface. References herein to reducing friction are typically not intended to relate to reducing friction as a component of a fuel or lubricating oil. Treating the surface may provide (c) improved visual appearance, i.e. to the surface. For example, improved visual appearance may provide increased shine. By “shine” we mean the perceived reflectiveness of a surface. As used herein, shine, gloss and reflectiveness are considered interchangeable. A surface with increased shine may be desirable from an aesthetic standpoint. Increased shine can also be a visual indicator of the surface having other properties provided by treatment with the polyol ester as defined herein, such as increased water repellency and / or reduced friction. When the shine of the surface decreases, this can be used to prompt a user to retreat the surface with the polyol ester. The gloss or shine of surfaces can be measured by reflectance methods, for example DIN 67530. A surface with improved visual appearance (such as increased shine) may be useful for applications where surfaces are required to look appealing visually. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect suitably involve coating at least a portion of the surface with the polyol ester as defined herein. The polyol ester may be coated onto the surface by spreading, such as by a blade, brush, cloth or sponge. The polyol ester may be applied onto the surface by spraying, for example from a pressurised can. The polyol ester may be applied to the surface as a foam, for example by spraying the polyol ester through a foam-forming nozzle. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may involve distributing the polyol ester as defined herein in the substrate. When the substrate is a solid substrate, the solid substrate may be formed from a liquid precursor (such as a melt) into which the polyol ester is admixed. Typically, the polyol ester will migrate to the surface of the liquid precursor and thereby the surface of the solid substrate. For example, the polyol ester may be admixed into an extruded product prior to extrusion. The use and method according to the first and second aspects may treat any suitable surface that is not a surface of a home care substrate and that would benefit from one or more of (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance (especially (a) increased water repellency and (b) reduced friction). The surface is not a surface of a home care substrate. In other words, the surfaces that are referred to in this specification are non-home care surfaces. By a home care substrate we mean any substrate of the home or household contents. Home care substrate preferably includes a fabric or a hard surface. “Fabric” includes clothing, linens and other household textiles, such as upholstery, curtains, blinds etc. In the context of fabrics, the term “linen” is used to describe certain types of laundry items including bed sheets and bed covers, pillow cases, towels, tablecloths, table napkins, uniforms and the like, but also washable household items such as curtains and blinds, washable upholstery items such as cushion covers and the like. The term “ household textiles” can include woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, and knitted fabrics and fabrics can include natural or synthetic fibres such as silk fibres, linen fibres, cotton fibres, polyester fibres, polyamide fibres such as nylon, rayon, acrylic fibres, acetate fibres, and blends thereof including cotton and polyester blends, fabrics which are elastic and / or contain elastane, and also viscose, modal and lyocell. “Hard surface” includes surfaces of dishes and other household surfaces. “Dishes” is meant generically and encompasses essentially any items which may be found in a dishwashing (manual or automatic machine) load, including crockery, chinaware, glassware, plasticware, siliconeware, silverware, hollowware and cutlery and any of these may comprise a hard surface; and “household surface” means any surface found in and around houses as in kitchens, bathrooms, e.g., floors, walls, tiles, windows, cupboards, sinks, showers, shower plastified curtains, wash basins, WCs, fixtures and fittings, and furniture. Hard surfaces may be made of different materials like ceramic, vinyl, no-wax vinyl, linoleum, melamine, glass, Inox®, Formica®, vitroceramic, any plastics, plastified wood, metal or any painted or varnished or sealed surface and the like; as well as household appliances including, but not limited to refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, automatic dryers, ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers and so on. The surface is suitably an industrial surface. By industrial surface we mean any surface in an industrial setting and scale. The industrial surface may undergo a treatment as defined herein during an industrial process, such as an industrial process of the manufacturing industry, the packaging industry, construction industry, the automotive industry, the aviation industry, the agricultural industry, or the mining industry. An industrial process does not, for example, include a consumer-related activity. Thus, the industrial surface is found in an industrial setting not, for example, the home. The industrial surface may be a surface of an industrial product. By an industrial product we mean a product in an industrial setting and scale, which may undergo a treatment as defined herein during an industrial process. The industrial surface may be a surface of industrial equipment. By industrial equipment we mean equipment that is used in an industrial setting and scale, for example that is used in large scale manufacturing, storage, extraction, processing, treatment and / ortransportation. Examples of industrial equipment will be well known to persons skilled in the art and include machinery and engines (including components thereof). The industrial surface may treated by an industrial process in the manufacturing industry. For example, the industrial surface may be the surface of a product of the manufacturing industry or the surface of equipment used in the manufacturing industry. The industrial surface may be treated by an industrial process in the packaging industry. For example, the industrial surface may be the surface of a product of the packaging industry or the surface of equipment used in the packaging industry. The industrial surface may be treated by an industrial process in the construction industry. For example, the industrial surface may be the surface of a product of the construction industry or the surface of equipment used in the construction industry. The industrial surface may be treated by an industrial process in the automotive industry. For example, the industrial surface may be the surface of a product of the automotive industry or the surface of equipment used in the automotive industry. The industrial surface may be treated by an industrial process in the aviation industry. For example, the industrial surface may be the surface of a product of the aviation industry or the surface of equipment used in the aviation industry. The industrial surface may be treated by an industrial process in the agricultural industry. For example, the industrial surface may be the surface of a product of the agricultural industry or the surface of equipment used in the agricultural industry. The industrial surface may be treated by an industrial process in the mining industry. For example, the industrial surface may be the surface of a product of the mining industry or the surface of equipment used in the mining industry. The surface is suitably a solid surface. The solid surface may be a hard surface or a soft surface. The surface may be formed from any suitable material such as one or more materials selected from metal, glass, ceramic, glass-ceramic, stone, concrete, gypsum, stucco, plastic, rubber, wood, paper-based materials (such as paper or cardboard) and leather (including combinations thereof, such as a laminate for example). Examples of suitable surfaces include the surfaces of extruded products (such as pellets, granules, or films), moulds, non-household buildings (such as walls, windows, floors, or ceilings), paper-based packaging, construction materials (such as plasterboard, gypsum, stucco, or concrete), vehicles (such as windows, tyres, vehicle bodies, or vehicle interiors), plants (such as seeds), solid agrochemical compositions, and non-household fibrous substrates. The surface may be selected from the surface of an extruded product (such as a pellet, granule, or film), a mould, paper packaging, a construction material (such as plasterboard, gypsum, stucco, or concrete), a vehicle (such as a window, tyre, vehicle body, or vehicle interior), a plant (such as a seed), a solid agrochemical composition, ora non-household fibrous substrate. The surface may be selected from the surface of an extruded product (such as a pellet, granule, or film), a mould, paper packaging, a construction material (such as plasterboard, gypsum, stucco, or concrete), a plant (such as a seed), or a solid agrochemical composition. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide a surface of an extruded product or a precursor thereof with reduced friction. The extruded product or the precursor thereof may be treated with the polyol ester defined herein during manufacture of the extruded product. By “precursor” of the extruded product, we mean the extruded product prior to extrusion. Suitably, the precursor of the extruded product is treated with the polyol ester defined herein prior to extrusion of the precursor. The reduced friction of the surface of the precursor may facilitate the extrusion process, for example by providing better handling and better cleaning due to reduced residue on the extrusion equipment. The extruded product may be a pellet, a granule, or a film. The extruded product may be a plastic film. The plastic film may form part of, or be suitable for manufacturing, plastic bags or packaging. The surface of the plastic film may be treated with the polyol ester defined herein during manufacture of the plastic film, and / or manufacture of plastic bags or packaging from the plastic film. By “manufacture of packaging” we mean to refer to the formation of the components of the packaging or the assembly of the packaging. The reduced friction of the surface of the plastic film reduces friction between the surface of the plastic film and other surfaces of the plastic film, between the surface of the plastic film and surfaces of other plastic films, and / or between the surface of the plastic film and manufacturing equipment. This may advantageously improve the movement of the plastic film through a manufacturing line (for example an extrusion line) or a packaging line, by causing the plastic film to slide more easily. The use of the first aspect may be the use of the polyol ester as defined herein as a slip additive. The plastic film may comprise any suitable polymeric material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The polyethylene may be selected from very low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Preferably, the polymeric material is prepared from vinyl monomers, especially alpha olefins such as ethylene or propylene. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide a surface of a mould with reduced friction. The mould may be for the manufacture of moulded objects. An internal surface of the mould (preferably, a surface that will be in contact with a moulded object) is treated with the polyol ester defined herein. The reduced friction of the surface of the mould may advantageously prevent sticking of a moulded object in the mould and facilitate removal of the moulded object from the mould. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide a surface of a nonhousehold building with increased water repellency, reduced friction, and / or improved visual appearance. By non-household building we mean a building that is not a home. Examples of suitable non-household buildings include commercial buildings (such as offices, shops, restaurants, and hotels), institutional buildings (such as schools and hospitals), and industrial buildings (such as factories and warehouses). The surface may be an exterior surface or an interior surface of the building. The surface of the building may be selected from a surface of a wall, a window, a floor, or a ceiling. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide a surface of a wall, floor, or ceiling of a non-household building with increased water repellency, reduced friction, and / or improved visual appearance. Increasing the water repellency and / or reducing the friction of the surface of the wall, floor, or ceiling may prevent dust or dirt from adhering to the surface, facilitate cleaning of the surface, and / or reduce the formation of streaks on the surface. When the wall, floor, or ceiling is painted, the colour intensity of wall, floor, or ceiling may be increased. When the wall, floor, or ceiling is treated with the polyol ester as disclosed herein, paint may be more easily and / or evenly applied to the treated wall, floor or ceiling. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide a surface of a window of a non-household building with increased water repellency and / or reduced friction. Increasing the water repellency and / or reducing the friction of the surface of the window may prevent dust or dirt from adhering to the window, facilitate cleaning of the window, shorten drying times, reduce the formation of streaks on the window, provide the window with an anti-fingerprint effect, and / or provide the window with an antifogging effect. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide a surface of a paper-based material with increased water repellency. Examples suitable of paper-based materials include paper and cardboard. Paper-based materials are typically vulnerable to damage from exposure to water or moisture. Therefore, increasing the water repellency of a surface of a paper-based material may advantageously increase the lifetime of the underlying paper-based material. The surface of the paper-based material may be the surface of paperbased packaging (for example packaging comprising paper or cardboard). The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide a surface of a construction material with increased water repellency. The construction material may be plasterboard, gypsum, stucco, or concrete. The construction material is preferably plasterboard, gypsum, or stucco, further preferably plasterboard or gypsum. Plasterboard is typically a panel of gypsum between two sheets of paper, and may be prepared by feeding a foamed slurry of stucco (calcined gypsum) and water between two sheets of paper. Both paper and gypsum are typically vulnerable to damage from exposure to water (including recycled water) or moisture. Therefore, increasing the water repellency of the paper sheets and / or the gypsum in plasterboard may increase the lifespan of the plasterboard and allow the use of recycled water. The polyol ester as defined herein may be coated on a surface of plasterboard or gypsum. Alternatively, the polyol ester may be admixed into a slurry of stucco and water as an additive during the production of plasterboard or gypsum. For example, the method of the second aspect may comprise admixing the polyol ester into a slurry comprising water and stucco or gypsum. The method may further comprise drying the slurry to form gypsum. The polyol ester may be present in the bulk of the gypsum and / or at the surface of the gypsum produced in this way. The polyol ester is suitably present at the surface of the gypsum. The method may provide a construction material (and not just a surface thereof) with increased water repellency. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide a surface of a vehicle with increased water repellency, reduced friction, and / or improved visual appearance. The surface may be an exterior surface or an interior surface of the vehicle. The vehicle may be selected from a road vehicle, a water vehicle, or an air vehicle. Preferably the vehicle is a road vehicle, such as a car. The surface of the vehicle may be selected from a surface of a window, a tyre, a vehicle body, or a vehicle interior. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide a surface of a vehicle window with increased water repellency and / or reduced friction. Increasing the water repellency and / or reducing the friction of the surface of the window may prevent dust or dirt from adhering to the window, facilitate cleaning of the window, shorten drying times, reduce the formation of streaks on the window, provide the window with an anti-fingerprint effect, and / or provide the window with an antifogging effect. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide a surface of a tyre with increased water repellency and / or improved visual appearance. The tyre is suitably the tyre of a road vehicle such as a car. Increasing the water repellency and / or shine of the surface of the tyre may improve the appearance of the tyre, increase the durability of the tyre, reduce build up of undesirable particles (such as dirt) on the tyre, and / or reduce degradation of other components of the vehicle, such as wear brakes. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide a surface of a vehicle body with increased water repellency, reduced friction, and / or improved visual appearance. The surface of the vehicle body is suitably an exterior surface of the vehicle body. The vehicle body suitably comprises coated metal. The vehicle body may be a car body. Increasing the water repellency and / or reducing the friction of the surface of the vehicle body may prevent dust or dirt from adhering to the body, facilitate cleaning of the body, shorten drying times, reduce the formation of streaks on the body, facilitate water sheeting and beading, and / or provide the body with rain resistance. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide a surface of a vehicle interior with increased water repellency, reduced friction, improved visual appearance, and / or an antistatic effect. The vehicle interior may be interior plastic trim or leather. Increasing the water repellency and / or reducing the friction of the surface of the vehicle interior may improve the dirt resistance and facilitate cleaning of the surface. Reducing the friction of a leather surface in the vehicle interior may increase the softness thereof. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide leather (or a surface thereof) with increased softness and / or flexibility. This may be the result of reduced friction. The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide a surface of a seed with increased water repellency and reduced friction. By “seed” we mean a plant seed. Increasing the water repellency of the surface of a seed may increase the length of time the seed may be stored before planting. Reducing the friction of the surface of a seed may improve the flow characteristics of the seed during plantation, in particular when a plurality of such seeds are being planted. The polyol ester used to treat the surface of a seed (for example to provide increased water repellency) is preferably the reaction product of reactants comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a fatty acid having from 6 to 28 carbon atoms or a methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as castor oil); a nitrogen containing polyol; and a polyol of formula (IA) wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1. The polyol ester used to treat the surface of a seed (for example to provide increased water repellency) is preferably the reaction product of reactants comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, erucic acid, methyl octanoate, methyl laurate, methyl oleate, methyl stearate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil, Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose, maltose, sorbitol, xylitol, N-methyldiethanolamine, glycerol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid, PPG 2000, or 1,6-hexanediol. The polyol ester used to treat the surface of a seed (for example to provide increased water repellency) is preferably the reaction product of reactants comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid or methyl oleate (preferably hexanoic acid); and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil or sucrose (preferably castor oil). The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide a surface of a solid agrochemical composition with increased water repellency. The solid agrochemical composition may be in the form of pellets or granules. The solid agrochemical composition may be applied to the surface of a crop, such as a leaf, stem or root. The solid agrochemical composition may be a pesticide composition. Increasing the water repellency the surface of the solid agrochemical composition may advantageously slow the release of active ingredients (such as pesticides) from the solid agrochemical composition into soil, allowing the agrochemical composition to be effective for a longer period of time. The polyol ester used to treat the surface of a solid agrochemical composition (i.e. to provide increased water repellency) is preferably the reaction product of reactants comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a fatty acid having from 6 to 28 carbon atoms or a methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as castor oil); a nitrogen containing polyol; and a polyol of formula (IA) wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1. The polyol ester used to treat the surface of a solid agrochemical composition is preferably the reaction product of reactants comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or esterthereof selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, erucic acid, methyl octanoate, methyl laurate, methyl oleate, methyl stearate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil, Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose, maltose, sorbitol, xylitol, N-methyldiethanolamine, glycerol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid, PPG 2000, or 1,6-hexanediol. The polyol ester used to treat the surface of a solid agrochemical composition is preferably the reaction product of reactants comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid or methyl oleate (preferably hexanoic acid); and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil or sucrose (preferably castor oil). The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide a surface of a nonhousehold fibrous substrate with reduced friction. By non-household fibrous substrate we mean a fibrous substrate that is not in the home. In other words, the fibrous substrate is treated with a polyol ester as defined herein outside of a household setting. The fibrous substrate is preferably treated with the polyol ester in an industrial setting. Suitably, the fibrous substrate is a thread. The thread may be formed from a natural fibre, such as cotton, or a synthetic fibre, such as polyester. The thread may be a cotton, denim or polyester thread (preferably a cotton or denim thread). The use of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect may provide improved lubrication of the thread outside of a household setting, for example in textile manufacturing. The use of the first aspect may therefore provide the use of a polyol ester as defined herein as a lubricant for a thread in textile manufacturing. Lubrication of threads in textile manufacturing may advantageously reduce damage to the threads and reduce wear and tear to industrial textile manufacturing equipment in contact with the threads. Suitably, the polyol ester defined herein may be coated on a surface of the thread and / or on a surface of industrial textile manufacturing equipment in contact with the thread. The polyol ester used to treat the surface of a fibrous substrate or thread (i.e. to provide the surface with reduced friction) is preferably the reaction product of reactants comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof that is a fatty acid having from 6 to 28 carbon atoms or a methyl ester thereof; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from an ester of glycerol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as castor oil); a nitrogen containing polyol; and a polyol of formula (IA) wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1. The polyol ester used to treat the surface of a solid agrochemical composition is preferably the reaction product of reactants comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or esterthereof selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, erucic acid, methyl octanoate, methyl laurate, methyl oleate, methyl stearate, methyl linoleate, or methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil, Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose, maltose, sorbitol, xylitol, N-methyldiethanolamine, glycerol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid, PPG 2000, or 1,6-hexanediol. The polyol ester used to treat the surface of a solid agrochemical composition is preferably the reaction product of reactants comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from hexanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid or methyl oleate (preferably hexanoic acid, lauric acid or stearic acid); and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from castor oil or sucrose (preferably castor oil). The polyol ester as used herein may be formulated as a component of a composition. In other words, the polyol ester may be comprised in a composition. Thus, in the use or method of the first or second aspect, the polyol ester may be comprised in a composition. Suitably, the polyol ester may be comprised in a composition, wherein the composition additionally comprises at least one solvent and optionally one or more surfactants. In the use or method of the first or second aspect, the polyol ester may be comprised in a composition, wherein the composition additionally comprises at least one solvent and one or more surfactants. The one or more surfactants may be selected from anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, and amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants. Preferably, the one or more surfactants may be independently selected from one or more of a fatty alkyl amphoacetate, an alkyl (poly)glycoside, an acyl glycinate, a sulfosuccinate, an amphodiacetate and a fatty alcohol ether carboxylate. The composition may comprise at least 0.1 wt%, at least 0.5 wt%, at least 1 wt%, at least 2 wt%, at least 5 wt%, or at least 10 wt% of the polyol ester. The composition may comprise 80 wt% or less, such as 20 wt% or less, for example 10 wt% or less of the polyol ester. The composition may comprise from 0.1 to 20 wt%, preferably from 0.1 to 10 wt%, for example from 0.5 to 5 wt% of the polyol ester. The composition may comprise at least 20 wt%, such as at least 30 wt%, at least 40 wt%, at least 50 wt%, at least 60 wt%, at least 70 wt%, or at least 80 wt% of the polyol ester. The composition may comprise 100 wt% or less, 99 wt% or less, such as 95 wt% or less, for example 90 wt% or less of the polyol ester. The composition may comprise from 10 to 100 wt%, such as from 10 to 99 wt%, preferably from 20 to 95 wt%, for example from 50 to 90 wt% of the polyol ester. References herein to the amount of polyol ester in the composition are intended to refer to the total of the or each polyol ester as defined herein that is included in the composition. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a composition for treating a surface that is not a surface of a home care substrate, wherein treating the surface provides at least one effect selected from (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance, and wherein the composition comprises one or more polyol esters, wherein the or each polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and the or each second reactant is a polyol. The composition is suitable for treating a surface that is not a surface of a home care substrate to provide at least one effect selected from (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance of the surface. The composition of the third aspect may comprise at least 0.1 wt%, at least 0.5 wt%, at least 1 wt%, at least 2 wt%, or at least 5 wt% of the one or more polyol esters. The composition may comprise 80 wt% or less, such as 20 wt% or less, for example 10 wt% or less of the one or more polyol esters. The composition may comprise from 0.1 to 20 wt%, preferably from 0.1 to 10 wt%, for example from 0.5 to 5 wt% of the one or more polyol esters. The composition of the third aspect may comprise at least 20 wt%, such as at least 30 wt%, at least 40 wt%, at least 50 wt%, at least 60 wt%, at least 70 wt%, or at least 80 wt% of one or more polyol esters. The composition of the third aspect may comprise 100 wt% or less, such as 99 wt% or less, such as 95 wt% or less, for example 90 wt% or less of the one or more polyol esters. The composition of the third aspect may comprise from 10 to 100 wt%, such as from 10 to 99 wt%, preferably from 20 to 95 wt%, for example from 50 to 90 wt% of the one or more polyol esters. The composition of the third aspect may comprise any suitable solvent, such as for example a polar solvent, such as a polar protic solvent. The solvent may be an aqueous solvent. Thus, the composition may be an aqueous composition. The term “aqueous solvent” herein is considered to mean water or mixtures of water and at least one water miscible solvent. Water miscible solvents may include alcohols and substantially water-miscible organic solvents. The solvent may be a non-aqueous solvent. The non-aqueous solvent suitably comprises an organic solvent, such as an alcohol. The non-aqueous solvent preferably does not comprise any surfactant. Suitable such alcohols for use in the solvent include monohydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohols, alkoxy alcohols and aryloxy alcohol. Suitable alcohols are monohydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohols and alkoxy alcohols. Preferred alcohols are miscible with water. Suitable simple monohydric alcohols include methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and butanol. The solvent may comprise a polyhydric alcohol or an alkoxyalcohol. Suitable alkoxy alcohols include diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol and 2-butoxyethanol. Suitable aryloxy alcohols include 2-phenoxyethanol. Suitable polyhydric alcohols include glycerol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and 2-methylpentanediol. Suitable polyhydric alcohols include glycerol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol and polypropylene glycol. Preferably, the non-aqueous solvent comprises a monohydric alcohol such as isopropanol. The composition of the third aspect may additionally comprise one or more surfactants (in particular when the solvent is an aqueous solvent). Any suitable surfactant(s) may be included, such as for example one or more surfactants selected from anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, and amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants. The composition may comprise an anionic surfactant. Suitable anionic surfactants may include sulfate surfactants (such as mono- or di-alkyl sulfates or alkyl ether sulfates), sulfonate surfactants, alkyl ether carboxylate surfactants, sarcosinate surfactants, phosphate surfactants, succinate surfactants, sulfosuccinate surfactants, sulfoacetate surfactants, isethionate surfactants, taurate surfactants, amino acid surfactants such as glutamates and glycinates, lactylate surfactants, and fatty acid salts. Particularly exemplary salts of the above, where applicable, are the sodium, potassium, ammonium, magnesium and triethanolamine salts. The composition may comprise a cationic surfactant. The cationic surfactant may be an ammonium salt such as an alkyl trimethyl ammonium salt, a dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salt, an alkyl-(N-hydroxyethyl)-dimethyl ammonium salt, or an alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salt (i.e. a benzalkonium salt). The salt may be a halide, hydroxide, sulfate, hydrogensulfate, phosphate, or carboxylate salt. The salt is suitably a halide salt, such as a fluoride, chloride, or bromide salt. The salt may be a carboxylate salt, such as formate or acetate salt. Preferably, the salt is chloride. The composition may comprise a non-ionic surfactant. Suitable non-ionic surfactants for use herein include alcohol alkoxylates (such as alcohol ethoxylates, alcohol propoxylates, and ethylene oxide / propylene oxide copolymer derived surfactants), aliphatic esters, aromatic esters, sugar esters (such as sorbitan esters), glycolipids (such as sophorolipids, rhamnolipids and alkyl (poly)glycosides), fatty acid alkoxylates (such as fatty acid ethoxylates and fatty acid propoxylates), or polyethylene glycol esters (including partial esters), glycerol esters (including glycerol partial esters and glycerol triesters), fatty alcohols (such as cetearyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol), castor oil, alkanolamides, fatty amine alkoxylates (such as fatty amine ethoxylates and fatty amine propoxylates), fatty acid alkoxylates (such as fatty acid ethoxylates and fatty acid propoxylates), polyethylene glycol esters (including partial esters) and castor oil. For example, suitable non-ionic surfactants for use herein may include alcohol alkoxylates (such as alcoholethoxylates, alcohol propoxylates, and ethylene oxide / propylene oxide copolymer derived surfactants), aliphatic esters, aromatic esters, sugar esters (such as sorbitan esters), alkyl (poly)glycosides, fatty acid alkoxylates (such as fatty acid ethoxylates and fatty acid propoxylates), or polyethylene glycol esters (including partial esters), glycerol esters (including glycerol partial esters and glycerol triesters), fatty alcohols (such as cetearyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol), and alkanolamides. Suitable sugar esters may include alkoxylated (such as ethoxylated) sugar esters. For example, the sugar ester may comprise an alkoxylated (such as ethoxylated) sugar ester of a fatty acid, such as oleic acid. An example of a preferred sugar ester surfactant is Tween® 80. Suitable fatty amine alkoxylates may include fatty amine ethoxylates and fatty amine propoxylates. Fatty amine ethoxylates are preferred. The fatty amine alkoxylates may be based on any suitable fatty alcohol. An example of a preferred fatty amine alkoxylate is a fatty amine ethoxylate such as Empilan® AMT 11, which is a fatty amine ethoxylate containing 11 moles of ethylene oxide. The composition may comprise an amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant. The amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant may be selected from betaines (such as alkyl betaines and alkylamidopropyl betaines), amphoacetates, diamphoacetates, and amine oxides (such as alkylamine oxides and alkylamidopropyl amine oxides). Suitable amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants include lauryl betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium lauroamphoacetate, sodium cocoamphoacetate, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, lauramine oxide, C12-18 alkyldimethylamine oxide, myristamine oxide, and cocamidopropyl amine oxide. The one or more surfactants may be selected from a fatty alkyl amphoacetate (for example cocoyl amphoacetate, lauryl amphoacetate), an alkyl (poly)glycoside (for example lauryl glycoside), an acyl glycinate (for example cocoyl glycinate), a sulfosuccinate, an amphodiacetate and a fatty alcohol ether carboxylate (for example C8-12 alkyl ether (6-11 moles EO) carboxylate). The composition of the third aspect may comprise the one or more surfactants in an amount of from 1 to 100 wt%, suitably from 5 to 50 wt%, preferably from 10 to 25 wt% based on the total weight of the one or more polyol esters. The composition may comprise the one or more surfactants in an amount of from 0.1 to 99 wt%, suitably from 1 to 50 wt%, for example from 10 to 25 wt% or from 0.1 to 20 wt% based on the total weight of the composition. The composition referred to in relation to the first and second aspects of the invention may be a composition according to the third aspect of the invention. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is a provided a substrate that is not a home care substrate, wherein a surface of the substrate is treated with a polyol ester, wherein the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and the or each second reactant is a polyol. The substrate that has been treated with the polyol ester is suitably provided with at least one effect selected from (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance of the surface, compared to a substrate that has not been treated with the polyol ester. The polyol ester as used in the fourth aspect may be formulated as a component of a composition. In other words, the substrate of the fourth aspect may be treated with a composition comprising the polyol ester. Suitably, the polyol ester may be comprised in a composition, wherein the composition additionally comprises at least one solvent and optionally one or more surfactants. The composition referred to in relation to the fourth aspect of the invention may be a composition according to the third aspect of the invention. The substrate may be selected from a construction material or a seed. The substrate may be a construction material. The construction material may be plasterboard, gypsum, stucco, or concrete. Preferably, the construction material is plasterboard. Plasterboard typically comprises a gypsum core disposed between two sheets of paper. The polyol ester as defined herein may be present at a surface of the gypsum core and / or the sheets of paper. The polyol ester may further be present within the gypsum core. This may be achieved by admixing the polyol ester into a slurry of stucco and water as an additive during the production of the plasterboard. The substrate may be a seed. By “seed” we mean a plant seed. A surface of the seed is suitably treated with the polyol ester as defined herein. Examples The invention will now be further described with reference to the following non-limiting examples. Example 1 - general method for esterification of saccharides or polysaccharides (polyols) The saccharide or polysaccharide and monocarboxylic acid (or ester thereof) were dissolved in DMF (15 mL, for 10 mmol of saccharide or polysaccharide) in the presence of potassium carbonate (4 wt% relative to the total mass of reactants). The reaction mass was heated at 140°C for 8 hours, then DMF was removed in vacuo. The reaction product was redissolved in toluene, which was then removed in vacuo to provide the saccharide ester or polysaccharide ester. Example 2 - general method for esterification of polyols The monocarboxylic acid (or ester thereof) was combined with the polyol. Tin(ll) ethylhexanoate (0.5 wt% relative to the total weight of reactants) was added. The reaction mass was heated at 160°C for 6 hours. The resulting polyol ester was decanted from the reaction flask, and no further purification was carried out. Esters 1 to 34 were prepared, using the reactants, reaction stoichiometries and synthesis methods as set out in Table 1. Table 1 Compound Monocarboxylic acid (or ester) 1 Polyol 1 Prepared according to General Example Molar ratio of reactants 1 Lauric acid Castor oil 2 1 : 1 2 Lauric acid Castor oil 2 1 : 1 3 Hexanoic acid Castor oil 2 1 : 1 4 Hexanoic acid Castor oil 2 1 : 1 5 Hexanoic acid Castor oil 2 1 : 1 6 Stearic acid Castor oil 2 1 : 1 7 Stearic acid Castor oil 2 1 : 1 8 Methyl stearate D-Lactose monohydrate 1 4 : 1 9 Methyl erucate Sucrose 1 4 : 1 10 Hexanoic acid Tween 80 2 2 : 1 11 Lauric acid Tween 80 2 3 : 1 12 Decanoic acid Tri methylolpropane 2 1 : 1 13 Methyl oleate Sucrose 1 4 : 1 14 Methyl oleate Sucrose 1 6 : 1 15 Methyl erucate Sucrose 1 2 : 1 16 Methyl stearate Sucrose 1 2 : 1 17 Methyl laurate Sucrose 1 2 : 1 18 Methyl laurate Sucrose 1 6 : 1 19 Methyl oleate D-Lactose monohydrate 1 4 : 1 20 Methyl erucate D-Lactose monohydrate 1 4 : 1 21 Methyl oleate D-Maltose monohydrate 1 4 : 1 22 Methyl erucate D-Maltose monohydrate 1 4 : 1 23 Methyl stearate Sorbitol 2 4 : 1 24 Methyl octanoate Xylitol 2 4 : 1 25 Erucic acid Tri methylolpropane 2 3 : 1 26 Erucic acid N-methyldiethanolamine 2 1 : 1 27 Erucic acid Glycerol 2 3 : 1 28 Erucic acid 2,2-Bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid 2 1 : 1 29 Erucic acid PPG 2000 2 2 : 1 30 Erucic acid 1,6-Hexanediol 2 2 : 1 31 Methyl linoleate D-Maltose monohydrate 1 4 : 1 32 Methyl linoleate D-Lactose monohydrate 1 2 : 1 33 Hexanoic acid Castor oil 2 3 : 1 34 Hexanoic acid Castor oil 2 2 : 1 Table 2 - abbreviations and chemical names PPG Poly(propylene glycol) DMF N,N-dimethylformamide Tween 80 An ethoxylated sorbitan ester based on a natural fatty acid (oleic acid) commercially available from Croda International Plc (Goole, UK) Example 3 - Seed flow test Seed treatment slurry A was prepared having the following composition: Seed treatment slurry A Component Amount (wt%) Comment Pesticide 0 Pigment 12.5 Pigment was Red 48:2 (35 wt% dispersion in water) Coating 37.5 Carnauba wax-based emulsion Polyol ester 2.5 Water to 100 Commercial corn seeds (Viking 99-00 hybrid, 100 g) were mixed with seed treatment slurry A (1 mL) and stood at ambient temperature and relative humidity (RH) 50 % for 5 minutes. The treated seeds were transferred to a stainless steel funnel with an opening of 30 mm diameter and a stoppered outlet. The stopper was removed and the time taken for the funnel contents to empty was recorded. The control for each test was a seed treatment slurry equivalent to A but without the polyol ester. Where the time taken for the funnel to empty was lower when using the additized seed treatment slurry, compared to the control, this was considered to be a “pass”. In other words, the polyol ester was providing a lubricating effect to the treated seeds and enabling faster flow. The results are shown in Table 3 below. Table 3 Polyol ester Performance in seed flow test 33 Pass Example 4 - Preparation of substrates and compositions for use in evaluation of improvement of shine, friction reduction and water repellency (Examples 5 to 7) Prior to treatment with the specified polyol esters and evaluation of the resulting properties (reduced friction, water repellency, improved visual appearance) the substrates used in the experiments were prepared as shown in Table 4. Table 4 Substrate Preparation method Exterior car panel (painted metal) UV - ozone cleaning, 10 minutes Interior car panel (plastic) Glass slide Cotton calico Used as obtained Denim Velour Boiled wool Black card (smooth, 250GSM) Leather The polyol esters were deposited on the test substrates as composition types as shown in Table 5. Table 5 Composition type Description X Emulsion containing polyol ester (1wt%), sodium lauroamphoacetate (0.2wt%)*, ethanol (5wt%)** and water to 100wt% Y Solution of polyol ester (1wt%) in ethanol * of a 25 wt% aqueous solution ** ethanol was only added if the polyol ester was not miscible in a solution of sodium lauroamphoacetate (0.2 wt%) in water The prepared substrates and composition types were used in Examples 5 to 7. Example 5 - Shine improvement test Shine improvement was determined by spraying a 1wt% active solution of the polyol ester (composition type X) onto the substrate and visually observing the surface of the substrate after drying. The visual observation was compared to the untreated substrate. A “pass” result indicates that a visual improvement in shine was observed for the polyol ester-treated substrate. The results are shown in Table 6. Table 6 Substrate Polyol ester Result Leather 14 Pass Leather 33 Pass Example 6 - Friction reduction test Substrates, which were initially prepared according to Table 8 prior to treatment, were treated by applying a liquid composition containing 1wt% of the polyol ester. For cotton and denim substrates, these were treated by soaking for 1 hour (composition type X). Excess liquid was removed. The substrates were dried (60°C) then cooled to ambient temperature before running the friction test. For black card, this was sprayed with the polyol ester composition (composition type Y) and left to dry at ambient temperature before running the friction test. For leather substrates, these were treated by spraying with the polyol ester composition (composition type X) and allowing to dry at ambient temperature prior to running the friction test. For the friction test, a weighted block (250g) having baize fabric attached to its surface was then rubbed across the treated substrate. The results were observed relative to an untreated substrate. Each test was repeated twice, with two different (independent) operators. A “pass” result indicates that both operators recorded lower friction for the treated substrate, compared to the untreated substrate. The results are shown in Table 7. Table 7 Substrate Polyol ester Result Denim 1 Pass Denim 34 Pass Cotton calico 1 Pass Cotton calico 6 Pass Cotton calico 34 Pass Black Card 6 Pass Leather 1 Pass Leather 6 Pass Example 7 - Water repellency test Substrates, which were initially prepared according to Table 8 prior to treatment, were treated by applying a liquid composition of type X or Y. For exterior car panel (painted metal), interior car panel (plastic rim) and microscope glass slide substrates a 1wt% solution of the polyol ester was sprayed onto the surface (composition type X) and the surface was buffed using a Car Buffer Polisher with a microfibre cloth attachment before carrying out the droplet test. For velour substrates, these were treated by spraying with the polyol ester composition (composition type X) and allowing to dry at ambient temperature prior to carrying out the droplet test. For boiled wool substrates, these were treated by soaking for 1 hour (composition type X). Excess liquid was removed. The substrates were dried (60°C) then cooled to ambient temperature before carrying out the droplet test. For other substrate types, these were treated as already described above in Examples 5 and 6. For the droplet test, after drying, the initial shape and absorption time of a de-ionized water droplet dropped on the treated surface was visually inspected. The results were observed relative to a substrate treated with an identical composition other than the polyol ester being absent. A “pass” result indicates that the water droplet did not absorb into the substrate or was absorbed at a much lower speed than the comparative tests. For non absorbent substrates the spreading behaviour ofthe water droplet was visually compared to that on an identically treated surface, otherthan the polyol ester being absent. A “pass” result indicated less droplet spreading on the polyol ester treated surface relative to the comparative tests. The results are shown in Table 8. Table 8 Substrate Polyol ester Result Exterior Car Panel (painted metal) 1 Pass Exterior Car Panel (painted metal) 6 Pass Exterior Car Panel (painted metal) 34 Pass Glass slide 6 Pass Glass slide 34 Pass Interior Car Panel (Plastic) 1 Pass Interior Car Panel (Plastic) 34 Pass Velour 6 Pass Boiled wool 1 Pass Boiled wool 6 Pass Black Card 1 Pass Black Card 6 Pass Unless otherwise stated herein, the reference to “liquid”, “gel” and “solid” refer to a state at 25 °C and standard pressure (101,325 Pa). Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A use of a polyol ester to treat a surface, wherein the surface is not a surface of a home care substrate and wherein treating the surface provides at least one effect selected from (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance; and wherein the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and the or each second reactant is a polyol.

2. A method of treating a surface, wherein the surface is not a surface of a home care substrate and wherein treating the surface provides at least one effect selected from (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance, the method comprising contacting the surface with a polyol ester, wherein the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and the or each second reactant is a polyol.

3. The use or method according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid that contains from 2 to 40 carbon atoms, suitably from 4 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, for example from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, or an ester thereof. .

4. The use or method according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid selected from one more of hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, myristoleic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, linoleic acid, linolelaidic acid, arachidic acid, arachidonic acid, behenic acid, and erucic acid, or an ester thereof. .

5. The use or method according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each first reactant is an ester of the monocarboxylic acid, preferably an alkyl ester, even more preferably a methyl ester.

6. The use or method according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each second reactant is a polyol having from 2 to 10, preferably from 2 to 6, hydroxy groups.

7. The use or method according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from one or more polyol of the formula (I) or (IA), one or more of an alkoxylated polyol of formula (I) or (IA), one or more nitrogen containing polyol, and one or more polyol formed by reaction of a hydroxy substituted cyclic ester or cyclic carbonate with a suitableprimary or secondary amine compound, wherein the polyol of formula (I) is of the formula H-(OR1)P-OH, wherein each R1 is independently an optionally substituted hydrocarbylene group and p is an integer of at least 1, and wherein the polyol of formula (IA) is of the formula H-(OR2)q-OH, wherein each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkylene group and q is an integer of at least 1.

8. The use or method according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof selected from hexanoic acid, decanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, erucic acid, methyl octanoate, methyl decanoate, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, methyl oleate, methyl linoleate, and methyl erucate; and the or each second reactant is a polyol selected from Tween 80, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, lactose, maltose, sorbitol, xylitol, N-methyldiethanolamine, glycerol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid, PPG 2000, and 1,6-hexanediol.

9. The use or method according to any preceding claim, wherein the polyol ester is substantially free of silicon atoms.

10. The use or method according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface is an industrial surface.

11. The use or method according to claim 10, wherein the industrial surface is a surface that is found in the manufacturing industry, the packaging industry, construction industry, the automotive industry, the aviation industry, the agricultural industry, or the mining industry.

12. The use or method according to claim 11, wherein the industrial surface is found in themanufacturing industry.

13. The use or method according to claim 11, wherein the industrial surface is found in thepackaging industry.

14. The use or method according to claim 11, wherein the industrial surface is found in theconstruction industry.

15. The use or method according to claim 11, wherein the industrial surface is found in theautomotive industry.

16. The use or method according to claim 11, wherein the industrial surface is found in theaviation industry.

17. The use or method according to claim 11, wherein the industrial surface is found in the agricultural industry.

18. The use or method according to claim 11, wherein the industrial surface is found in the mining industry.

19. The use or method according to any preceding claim, wherein surface is selected from the surface of an extruded product (such as a pellet, granule, or film), a mould, paper packaging, a construction material (such as plasterboard, gypsum, stucco, or concrete), a vehicle (such as a window, tyre, vehicle body, or vehicle interior), a plant (such as a seed), a solid agrochemical composition, ora non-household fibrous substrate.

20. The use or method according to any preceding claim, which provides a surface of plasterboard, gypsum or stucco with increased water repellency.

21. The use or method according to any preceding claim, wherein the polyol ester is comprised in a composition, wherein the composition additionally comprises at least one solvent and optionally one or more surfactants.

22. The use or method according to claim 21, wherein the composition comprises one or more surfactants selected from anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, and amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants.

23. The use or method according to claim 22, wherein the one or more surfactants are independently selected from one or more of a fatty alkyl amphoacetate, an alkyl (poly)glycoside, an acyl glycinate, a sulfosuccinate, an amphodiacetate and a fatty alcohol ether carboxylate.

24. The use or method according to any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the composition comprises from 0.1 to 20 wt%, preferably from 0.1 to 10 wt%, for example from 0.5 to 5 wt% of the polyol ester.

25. A composition fortreating a surface that is not a surface of a home care substrate, wherein treating the surface provides at least one effect selected from (a) increased water repellency, (b) reduced friction, and (c) improved visual appearance, and wherein the composition comprises one or more polyol esters, wherein the or each polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and the or each second reactant is a polyol.

26. The composition according to claim 25, wherein the composition comprises at least 0.1 wt%, such as from 0.1 to 20 wt%, preferably from 0.1 to 10 wt%, for example from 0.5 to 5 wt% of the one or more polyol esters.

27. The composition according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the composition additionally comprises one or more surfactants.

28. The composition according to claim 27, wherein the one or more surfactants are independently selected from anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, and amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants.

29. The composition according to claim 28, wherein the one or more surfactants are independently selected from one or more of a fatty alkyl amphoacetate, an alkyl (poly)glycoside, an acyl glycinate, a sulfosuccinate, an amphodiacetate and a fatty alcohol ether carboxylate.

30. A substrate that is not a home care substrate, wherein a surface of the substrate is treated with a polyol ester, wherein the polyol ester is the reaction product of reactants comprising one or more first reactants and one or more second reactants, wherein the or each first reactant is a monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof and the or each second reactant is a polyol.A