Anionic Polyester Compositions Balancing Soil Release and Biodegradability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Anionic soil release polymers used in fabric and home care formulations have poor biodegradability, limiting their application in green and sustainable laundry detergent compositions.

Innovation Solution

Development of polyesters comprising specific structural units and terminal groups, including terephthalic acid derivatives, 5-sulfoisophthalic acid, and alkylene glycols, with controlled molar averages of terminal groups, to enhance biodegradability and washing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If anionic soil release polymers are used in fabric and home care formulations, then washing performance is improved, but biodegradability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing performanceVSAvoidbiodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the polyester by incorporating specific structural units (I, II, III) with controlled ratios and molecular weights. The polyester comprises structural units of formula (I) with 1-10 mmol/g, formula (II) with 1-10 mmol/g, and formula (III) with 1-10 mmol/g, creating a balanced composition that achieves both washing performance and biodegradability through optimized chemical parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite polyester structure combining multiple structural units (I, II, and III) with different functional characteristics. This composite approach integrates the benefits of each unit type to achieve both effective soil release performance and improved biodegradability, resolving the contradiction between performance and environmental compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20250263634A1Fabric and home care composition

Publication Date: 2025.08.21 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Fabric and home care compositions including specific anionic polyesters are described. The compositions are particularly suitable as laundry detergent compositions. In such applications, the polyesters e. g. exhibit advantageous whiteness maintenance and soil release performance and have advantageous biodegradability.