Bio-based Polymer Thickening Agent for Cosmetics

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for more sustainable and renewable polymers that can serve as effective thickening agents in cosmetic and personal hygiene products, as current options often rely on petrochemical-based materials that are not environmentally friendly and have limited availability.

Innovation Solution

A polymer comprising acryloyldimethyltaurate units with a high bio-based carbon content, produced from bio-based acrylonitrile and isobutene using sulfuric acid and fuming sulfuric acid, which provides excellent performance as a thickening agent and rheology modifier while being biodegradable and recyclable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If petrochemical-based thickeners are used, then effective thickening performance is achieved, but environmental sustainability and biodegradability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethickening performanceVSAvoidenvironmental sustainability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the source material parameter from petrochemical to bio-based feedstock (such as fermented sugars or starches), transforming the chemical composition while maintaining the polymer's thickening functionality. This parameter change enables the polymer to be biodegradable and environmentally sustainable while preserving rheology-modifying performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a biodegradable polymer that can naturally decompose after use, replacing persistent petrochemical polymers. This allows the thickening agent to fulfill its functional purpose and then break down harmlessly in the environment, addressing sustainability concerns while maintaining effective performance during its service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If bio-based materials are used, then environmental sustainability improves, but availability and consistency deteriorate due to seasonal variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental sustainabilityVSAvoidavailability consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs fermentation technology that uses microorganisms to convert agricultural feedstocks into the desired polymer monomers. This self-service biological process can operate continuously and regulate itself, producing consistent output quality regardless of seasonal variations in raw material supply, thereby ensuring year-round availability and product consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite approach by combining bio-based feedstock with established polymerization and fermentation technologies. This integration allows the benefits of renewable materials to be harnessed while relying on robust industrial processes to ensure consistent production and availability throughout the year.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If new bio-based polymer synthesis routes are developed, then sustainability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesustainabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces fermentation as an intermediary step between agricultural feedstock and polymer production. This biological intermediary process converts complex plant materials into standardized chemical intermediates that can then be efficiently polymerized using conventional techniques, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining sustainability benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The polymer offers high bio-based content, excellent performance as a thickening agent, and is suitable for use in cosmetic and personal hygiene products, addressing environmental concerns and sustainability issues while maintaining performance standards.

Implementation Method 1

Many cosmetic products require a certain minimum viscosity in order to achieve ease of application to the substrate and/or retention on the substrate to be treated. Many cosmetic products comprise viscosity-increasing or rheology-influencing agents.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity increase:

Implementation Method 2

Therefore, there is a desire to identify more sustainable and biodegradable, yet gentle and effective materials.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentEP3551679B1Polymer comprising certain level of bio-based carbon

Publication Date: 2023.05.24 CLARIANT INT LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a polymer comprising: (a) from 9.49 mol-% to 98 mol-% repeating units according to Formula (1) wherein at least 10 wt.-% of the repeating units according to Formula (1) comprise from 28 wt.-% to 100 wt.-% bio-based carbon content, relative to the total mass of carbon in the repeating unit according to Formula (1), measured according to standard ASTM D6866-12, Method B; (b) from 0.01 mol-% to 5 mol-% crosslinking or branching units; (c) from 0.01 mol-% to 88.52 mol-% of repeating neutral structural units; (d) from 1.98 mol-% to 20 mol-% of repeating anionic structural units, wherein the repeating anionic structural units result from the incorporation of a monomer comprising at least one carboxylate anion, and wherein the repeating anionic structural units are different from units (a).