A biobased and biodegradable cooking enhancement formulation for kraft pulping and its preparation method thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a biobased and biodegradable cooking enhancement formulation for kraft pulping and a process for preparing the same. The formulation comprises lauryl alcohol ethoxylate, alpha olefin sulphonate, polysorbate-20, lactic acid, and water as essential components. The synergistic combination of these ingredients enhances delignification efficiency in kraft cooking by improving liquor impregnation, promoting oxidation through in situ peracid generation, and stabilizing oxidized lignin fragments through emulsification. The formulation enables efficient delignification at reduced active alkali concentration and lower cooking severity, thereby improving pulp brightness and yield while reducing rejects and pitch content. The biobased composition provides a non-toxic and environmentally safe alternative to conventional anthraquinone-based cooking aids and is completely biodegradable. The invention thus offers an effective and sustainable solution for improving kraft pulping performance and process efficiency.

Description

[0001] A BIOBASED AND BIODEGRADABLE COOKING ENHANCEMENT FORMULATION FOR KRAFT PULPING AND ITS PREPARATION METHOD THEREOF FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a cooking enhancer used in the paper industry in kraft cooking process. The present invention specifically relates to the biobased cooking enhancer product formulated specifically to enhance the delignification efficiency along with cellulose preservation, leading to higher pulp yield and improved process performance. The performance of kraft cooking process in pulp making which focusses on effective delignification leading to higher pulp yield.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Paper industry is integral to global economies, providing essential products ranging from everyday paper goods to specialized applications. However, the industry faces significant challenges related to process efficiency, chemical consumption, and environmental sustainability across all stages of pulp processing. Among these, the kraft cooking process stands out as a critical initial step that influences subsequent stages and overall product quality. As the primary step for converting wood chips into pulp, the kraft process is pivotal in determining yield, pulp quality, and operational efficiency.

[0005] Though there is several research ongoing in the present technology and prior art discusses various methods, formulations and techniques which work on enhancing the yield of pulp using various methods like the patent application US2002114760A titled as “selective oxidation of kraft cooking liquors” discusses a process for the preparation of polysulfides which comprises reacting sodium sulfide with oxygen in the presence of a transition metal oxide, preferably MnO 2, and with the consumption rate of O 2 being at least 1.5x10 -4 moles / l / sec. The process of the present invention is preferably conducted in a self-recirculated reactor, which has been found to allow easy control of the O 2 consumption rate.

[0006] Another patent application US2017136449A2 titled as “novel supported anthraquinonic catalysts and uses of same for kraft cooking” relates to a supported anthraquinonic catalyst which may be obtained by radical polymerization of a reaction mixture comprising styrene; at least one initiator generating free radicals; at least one cross-linking agent which is at least difunctional, at least one pore-forming agent; and at least one anthraquinonic styrenic monomer of formula (I)[FTIMG=98364778] Yet another patent application US4242177A2 titled as “Method for Oxidizing Malodorous Sulfur Compounds in Kraft Cooking Liquor” discusses a method for oxidizing and removing remaining sodium sulfide as well as generated sulphur compounds by introducing oxygen into cooking liquor at high temperature and high pressure in the end stage of kraft cooking. Despite many formulations existing in prior art, all the formulation are chemical based and a major contributor to the environmental footprint of the paper industry. The process typically involves high temperatures, pressures, and significant use of chemicals such as sodium hydroxide and sodium sulphide. These chemicals are essential for breaking down lignin and freeing cellulose fibres but pose substantial environmental challenges. Effluent streams from the kraft process can contain harmful substances that necessitate complex and costly treatment measures. Moreover, the high energy and water consumption associated with traditional kraft cooking contribute to the overall inefficiency and environmental impact of paper production. Therefore, it is crucial to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the kraft cooking process and the present invention specifically focusses on the said objects.

[0007] The present invention describes an innovative cooking enhancer product formulated specifically to enhance the performance of kraft cooking process in pulp making. This biobased cooking enhancer aims to address the core challenges faced by the paper industry, offering a more efficient, controlled, and environmentally friendly approach to kraft pulping. By integrating advanced additives with optimized reaction conditions, the cooking enhancer ensures a more uniform and effective breakdown of lignin, leading to higher pulp yields and improved fibre quality.

[0008] OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a biobased and biodegradable cooking enhancement formulation comprising lauryl alcohol ethoxylate, alpha olefin sulphonate, polysorbate-20 (Tween 20), lactic acid, and water as essential components, which collectively enhance delignification efficiency and pulp yield in the kraft pulping process.

[0010] It is another objective of the present invention to provide a method of preparation of cooking enhancing composition which includes lauryl alcohol ethoxylate, alpha olefin sulphonates, tween 20, lactic acid along with water as its core components

[0011] It is also another objective of the present invention to provide a biobased innovative cooking enhancer product which is a greener option.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The following summary is provided to facilitate a clear understanding of the new features in the disclosed embodiment and it is not intended to be a full, detailed description. A detailed description of all the aspects of the disclosed invention can be understood by reviewing the full specification, the drawing and the claims and the abstract, as a whole.

[0014] The present invention provides a biobased and biodegradable cooking enhancement formulation designed to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the kraft pulping process. The invention particularly relates to a synergistic composition comprising lauryl alcohol ethoxylate, alpha olefin sulphonate, polysorbate-20 (Tween 20), lactic acid, and water as essential components, optionally along with compatible additives. The combination of these components exhibits a synergistic effect in enhancing the kraft cooking process by simultaneously improving liquor penetration, oxidative delignification, and lignin stabilization. The non-ionic and anionic surfactant blend reduces the surface and interfacial tension across the cooking liquor & wood chips, thereby promoting uniform impregnation into wood chips. The organic acid component generates peracids in situ under alkaline conditions, which selectively cleave ether linkages in lignin without affecting cellulose integrity. The polysorbate component further stabilizes the oxidized lignin fragments through emulsification, preventing their re-agglomeration and ensuring efficient removal during washing.

[0015] The invention also provides a process for preparing the said cooking enhancement formulation, comprising sequential mixing of the components in predetermined proportions to obtain a homogeneous, stable, and biodegradable product. The process involves gradual addition of lactic acid and surfactants in an aqueous medium under controlled stirring and temperature to ensure complete homogenization and phase stability.

[0016] The formulation of the present invention demonstrates significant technical advantages over conventional chemical cooking aids such as anthraquinone-based systems. It enables improved delignification efficiency at reduced active alkali concentration, lowers the overall cooking temperature and duration corresponding to a reduced H-factor, and enhances pulp yield and brightness while reducing wood rejects and pitch content. The formulation further eliminates the use of toxic and non-biodegradable compounds, thereby offering an eco-friendly and high-performance alternative for kraft pulping. Through improved selectivity and reduced chemical and energy requirements, the invention provides a sustainable and economically viable approach to pulp production without compromising fibre strength or quality.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 shows the graphical representation of kraft cooking results of debarked eucalyptus wood furnish with and without the cooking enhancer, indicating comparative values of residual active alkali, rejects, kappa number and brightness.

[0019] Figure 2 shows the graphical representation of kraft cooking results of bagasse furnish with and without the cooking enhancer under identical conditions, showing improvement in liquor impregnation and delignification parameters.

[0020] Figure 3 shows the graphical representation of kraft cooking of mixed wood furnish consisting of eucalyptus and casuarina using one percent lower active alkali, showing gain in screened yield, reduction in kappa number and improvement in brightness. Figure 4 shows the graphical representation of kraft cooking results at reduced H-factor, showing yield improvement and delignification efficiency at lower temperature and shorter cooking duration. Figure 5 shows the graphical comparison of cooking results for control, anthraquinone and the present biobased cooking enhancer, showing higher yield, reduced rejects, lower kappa number and improved brightness with the present enhancer.

[0021] Figure 6 shows the graphical representation of dichloromethane (DCM) extractives in cooked pulp, showing reduction in resin or pitch content obtained using the cooking enhancer.

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, known details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description.

[0024] References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can be references to the same embodiment or any embodiment; and such references mean at least one of the embodiments.

[0025] Reference to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", “one aspect”, “some aspects”, “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.

[0026] The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, and no special significance should be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. In some cases, synonyms for certain terms are provided.

[0027] A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any example term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. Without intent to limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods, and their related results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions will control.

[0028] Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosed principles. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or can be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein.

[0029] The present invention provides a biobased and biodegradable cooking enhancement formulation designed to improve the efficiency of the kraft pulping process. The formulation employs a synergistic combination of surface-active agents and a biobased organic acid that collectively enhance delignification, improve liquor impregnation, and stabilize oxidized lignin intermediates during cooking. The composition of the invention comprises lauryl alcohol ethoxylate in an amount of 5 to 20 weight percent, alpha olefin sulphonate in an amount of 10 to 30 weight percent, polysorbate-20 (Tween 20) in an amount of 0.5 to 5 weight percent, lactic acid in an amount of 0.5 to 5 weight percent, and the balance being water and optional additives. Each of these components performs a distinct but cooperative function that leads to significant improvement in delignification and overall cooking efficiency.

[0030] Lauryl alcohol ethoxylate acts as a non-ionic surfactant which enhances the wettability and diffusion of the cooking liquor through the lignocellulosic matrix. It reduces the surface and interfacial tension of the cooking liquor, thereby promoting uniform penetration into the wood capillaries and fibre walls. This allows efficient contact between the lignin and the active alkali components, resulting in uniform delignification and reduction in uncooked rejects. Alpha olefin sulphonate is an anionic surfactant that acts synergistically with lauryl alcohol ethoxylate. Its sulphonate group balances the charge on the lignin surface and enhances fibre swelling, which aids in lignin cleavage and solubilization. The presence of alpha olefin sulphonate improves the effective utilization of active alkali and promotes controlled lignin removal without degrading cellulose or hemicellulose fractions. Polysorbate-20 modifies the surface characteristics of lignin and cellulose during cooking. It adsorbs on oxidized lignin fragments and stabilizes them through emulsification, thereby preventing their reagglomeration or redeposition onto fibre surfaces. This mechanism facilitates efficient removal of solubilized lignin during the washing stage and contributes to improved pulp brightness and yield. Lactic acid functions as a biobased organic acid and forms a eutectic solvent environment that selectively dissolves lignin without affecting cellulose. Under alkaline cooking conditions, lactic acid generates peracids in situ through reaction with oxidative species present in the system. These peracids selectively cleave P-O-4 ether linkages between lignin units, leading to enhanced oxidative delignification. Lactic acid also acts as a mild chelating agent, forming complexes with metal ions such as iron and manganese, thereby preventing catalytic degradation of carbohydrates and improving pulp quality.

[0031] The synergistic interaction between the non-ionic and anionic surfactants with lactic acid and polysorbate-20 provides a multifunctional effect. The combination reduces surface tension to promote rapid and deep liquor penetration, facilitates controlled lignin breakdown through oxidation, and stabilizes the dissolved lignin species in the cooking medium. The overall effect is improved selectivity of delignification, lower active alkali consumption, reduced cooking time, and better fibre strength retention.

[0032] The process for preparing the formulation involves sequential mixing of the components in specific order to achieve a stable and homogeneous product. Initially, 500 to 600 parts by weight of water are introduced into a reaction vessel. Lactic acid is gradually added in an amount of 8 to 12 parts by weight under continuous stirring to ensure complete homogenization. Thereafter, 25 to 30 parts by weight of polysorbate-20 are added, and the mixture is stirred for 10 to 15 minutes. Subsequently, 180 to 200 parts by weight of alpha olefin sulphonate are added and mixed for 15 to 20 minutes. Lauryl alcohol ethoxylate is then added in an amount of 75 to 100 parts by weight and the mixture is stirred for 30 minutes to achieve uniform blending. Finally, an additional 25 to 50 parts by weight of water are added and the solution is mixed for 20 to 30 minutes until homogeneity is achieved. The process is preferably carried out at a temperature between 25°C and 35°C and a stirring speed between 300 and 600 rpm to prevent foaming and ensure consistent dispersion of surfactants. The resulting formulation exhibits a pH between 6.5 and 7.5, indicating neutralization and stability. The product is physically stable for at least six months under ambient storage conditions without phase separation or sedimentation.

[0033] The mechanism of the formulation’s action in kraft pulping is synergistic. The surfactant combination lowers surface and interfacial tension, promoting rapid impregnation of white liquor into the wood chips and improving diffusion of the active alkali within the fibre structure. The lactic acid generates peracids in situ during alkaline cooking, selectively oxidizing lignin linkages while leaving the carbohydrate matrix intact. Simultaneously, polysorbate-20 stabilizes the oxidized lignin fragments by forming micellar emulsions that prevent redeposition, ensuring efficient washing and cleaner pulp. This combined effect enhances delignification efficiency, improves alkali utilization, and increases screened yield and brightness of the resultant pulp. Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate the comparative results of kraft cooking of eucalyptus wood and bagasse respectively, with and without the biobased cooking enhancer. The graphs show higher residual active alkali, reduced rejects, lower kappa number and increased brightness for the test samples containing the enhancer, confirming improved liquor impregnation and delignification efficiency.

[0034] Laboratory studies were conducted using eucalyptus wood and bagasse as furnish materials to validate the performance of the formulation. Comparative pulping trials were performed under identical conditions with and without the addition of the cooking enhancer. The pulping process employing the formulation showed higher residual active alkali (RAA) in black liquor, reduced wood rejects, lower kappa number, and improved pulp brightness. These results demonstrate that the formulation enhances liquor penetration and delignification efficiency.

[0035] Additional studies with mixed wood species of eucalyptus and casuarina at one percent lower active alkali concentration showed a gain of 0.5 percent in screened yield, a reduction of one unit in kappa number, and an increase of 2.8 units in brightness when compared to the control. These results, as shown in Figure 3, confirm that effective delignification is achieved even at reduced alkali levels, thereby minimizing chemical consumption.

[0036] Further experiments were carried out at reduced cooking temperature and time to evaluate the performance of the formulation at a lower H-factor. As shown in Figure 4, the formulation enabled effective pulping at reduced temperature and residence time while maintaining or improving yield, indicating a reduction in energy consumption and a greener cooking process.

[0037] Comparative studies with anthraquinone-based additives confirmed that the present formulation achieves equivalent or superior performance in yield, kappa number, rejects, and brightness, while being non-toxic and biodegradable. The comparative results are presented in Figure 5, which demonstrates higher screened yield, reduced rejects, lower kappa number, and increased brightness for the biobased cooking enhancer as compared to both control and anthraquinone systems.

[0038] Analysis of dichloromethane extractives in the cooked pulp, represented in Figure 6, revealed a 21 percent reduction in resin and pitch content, demonstrating improved process runnability and reduced deposit formation in downstream equipment.

[0039] The biobased and biodegradable formulation of the present invention provides a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional cooking aids. It enhances delignification selectivity at reduced active alkali concentration, lowers the required cooking temperature and time, and minimizes environmental impact. The formulation is free from heavy metals and halogenated compounds and is biodegradable above 90 percent as per OECD 30 ID standards. The invention thus provides an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and high-performance solution for kraft pulping processes, suitable for industrial implementation using existing equipment and compatible with both hardwood and agricultural residue furnishes. The synergistic mechanism and multifaceted functionality of the formulation enable improved pulp yield, brightness, and strength while reducing energy demand, making it an effective and sustainable advancement in the pulp and paper industry.

[0040] EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION AND RESULTS:

[0041] The performance of the biobased and biodegradable cooking enhancement formulation of the present invention was evaluated through a series of controlled laboratory studies. The experiments were designed to determine the effect of the formulation on liquor impregnation, delignification efficiency, yield, brightness, and overall pulping performance under kraft cooking conditions. All comparative studies were carried out under identical chemical and thermal parameters using both control and test samples, with the only difference being the addition of the novel cooking enhancer in the test batch. The results obtained are presented below.

[0042] Improved cooking liquor impregnation, stabilization and emulsification

[0043] This study was conducted to assess the influence of the formulation on cooking liquor penetration and delignification. Enhanced penetration of cooking liquor is known to improve lignin removal and fibre separation while reducing chemical consumption. The effectiveness of the enhancer was evaluated using residual active alkali (RAA), wood rejects, kappa number, and brightness as process indicators. The experiments were performed on two types of furnish debarked eucalyptus wood and bagasse representing wood and agricultural residues respectively. Both the furnishes were pretreated by spraying the diluted cooking enhancer, while the control samples were sprayed with water only. All samples were incubated 24 hours before cooking.

[0044] Detailed Recipe Sheet:

[0045]

[0046] Note: Moisture content for both control and study was maintained at 18.0%. Processing conditions:

[0047]

[0048] H-Factor for the above condition is 1037.

[0049] The cooking process using the novel enhancer exhibited an increase in residual active alkali, reduction in rejects, lower kappa number, and higher brightness when compared to the control. The results indicate that the formulation significantly reduced the surface and interfacial tension of the cooking liquor, leading to efficient impregnation of liquor into the wood structure. The emulsifying and stabilizing action of the formulation aided in the removal of oxidized lignin from the cooked pulp, resulting in improved delignification and brightness.

[0050] Enhanced oxidation and delignification at reduced active alkali

[0051] The ability of the formulation to promote efficient delignification at lower alkali concentrations was evaluated using a mixed furnish of eucalyptus and casuarina wood. The two species were chosen to represent different lignin structures — eucalyptus containing predominantly syringyl lignin, which is more linear, and casuarina having higher guaiacyl content, which is more crosslinked and harder to delignify. The study was conducted using one percent lower active alkali concentration for the test batch compared to the control, which used the standard 18% active alkali level.

[0052] The following results were obtained:

[0053] • 0.5% increase in screened yield,

[0054] • reduction of one unit in kappa number, and

[0055] • improvement of 2.8 units in pulp brightness.

[0056] These results establish that the formulation enables effective lignin removal and pulp brightening even at reduced active alkali concentrations, thereby improving the chemical efficiency of the kraft cooking process.

[0057] Reduction in time and temperature (H-factor)

[0058] A further study was performed to determine the impact of the cooking enhancer on cooking severity, represented by the H-factor. The formulation was evaluated for its ability to maintain or improve pulp quality at reduced temperature and shorter cooking duration. The results demonstrated that the cooking process incorporating the enhancer achieved higher yield and improved delignification under reduced H-factor conditions. The lowered H-factor indicates reduced energy input and shorter cooking cycle, confirming the enhancer’s role in facilitating selective delignification while maintaining pulp strength. The formulation thereby contributes to improved process efficiency and reduced energy consumption.

[0059] Environment-friendly alternative

[0060] To demonstrate its industrial advantage and environmental compatibility, the novel formulation was compared with a conventional anthraquinone-based cooking aid and a control (without any enhancer). The comparison was made in terms of screened yield, rejects, kappa number, and brightness. The cooking enhancer produced higher yield, lower rejects, reduced kappa number, and higher brightness than both the control and the anthraquinone-based additive. The results confirmed that the present biobased enhancer performs equivalently or better than the conventional additive while being nontoxic and biodegradable, offering an environmentally sustainable alternative for kraft pulping.

[0061] Reduction in wood extractives (Pitch)

[0062] The effectiveness of the formulation in reducing pitch and resin content was evaluated by measuring dichloromethane (DCM) extractives in the cooked pulp. The overall resin content of the pulp was reduced by 21% in one of the study samples while maintaining similar extractive levels in the remaining samples. The observed reduction in pitch indicates improved cooking uniformity and reduced deposition tendency, contributing to better machine runnability and pulp cleanliness.

[0063] The experimental validation confirms that the biobased and biodegradable cooking enhancer of the present invention significantly improves kraft pulping performance by enhancing liquor impregnation, delignification, and lignin stabilization while allowing operation at reduced active alkali and lower H-factor. The formulation decreases rejects, reduces pitch formation, and enhances brightness and yield. It is a non -toxic, biodegradable, and sustainable alternative to conventional chemical additives, enabling cleaner, more energy -efficient, and environmentally responsible kraft pulping.

Claims

WE CLAIM1. A biobased and biodegradable cooking enhancement formulation for kraft pulping comprising;a synergistic combination of:lauryl alcohol ethoxylate in an amount of 5-20 wt.%,alpha olefin sulphonate in an amount of 10-30 wt.%,polysorbate-20 (Tween 20) in an amount of 0.5-5 wt.%,lactic acid in an amount of 0.5-5 wt.%, andbalance being water and optional additives,wherein the said formulation,enhances delignification efficiency in kraft pulping by reducing surface and interfacial tension across wood chip pores,generates peracids in situ under alkaline conditions to enhance oxidative lignin cleavage,stabilizing oxidized lignin fragments through emulsification.

2. The biobased and biodegradable cooking enhancement formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lauryl alcohol ethoxylate and alpha olefin sulphonate collectively reduce the surface tension of cooking liquor to below 30 dynes / cm, enabling improved liquor impregnation and delignification.

3. The biobased and biodegradable cooking enhancement formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lactic acid functions as a eutectic solvent selectively cleaves lignin carbohydrate ether linkages without degrading cellulose.

4. The biobased and biodegradable cooking enhancement formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polysorbate-20 stabilizes oxidized lignin fragments by adsorption and prevents re-agglomeration during delignification, resulting in higher pulp brightness and yield.

5. The biobased and biodegradable cooking enhancement formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the formulation provides delignification efficiency equivalent to or higher than anthraquinone-based cooking aids while being non-toxic and biodegradable.

6. The biobased and biodegradable cooking enhancement formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the formulation does not include heavy metals or halogenated compounds.

7. A process for preparing a biobased and biodegradable cooking enhancement formulation, comprising mixing surfactant and acid components;wherein the sequential steps include:adding 500-600 parts by weight of water into a reaction vessel;gradually adding 8-12 parts by weight of lactic acid under stirring to achieve homogenization;adding 25-30 parts by weight of Tween 20 and mixing for 10-15 minutes; adding 180-200 parts by weight of alpha olefin sulphonate and continuing mixing for 15-20 minutes;adding 75-100 parts by weight of lauryl alcohol ethoxylate and mixing for 30 minutes; andadding 25-50 parts by weight of water and mixing for 20-30 minutes to obtain a homogeneous formulation,wherein the said formulation wherein the formulation obtained is stable for at least six months without phase separation when stored at ambient temperature.

8. The process as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mixing is carried out at a temperature between 25°C and 35°C and at a stirring speed of 300-600 rpm to ensure uniform dispersion without foam formation.

9. The process as claimed in claim 7, wherein the final formulation exhibits a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 indicating complete neutralization and stability.

10. The process as claimed in claim 7, wherein the resultant formulation exhibits biodegradability greater than 90% (OECD 30 ID).

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