Itaconic-Modified Protein Composition for Sustainable Fabric Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fabric conditioners and softeners rely on fossil-fuel-based ingredients, which are undesirable for environmental reasons, and there is a need for a more sustainable alternative that provides effective fabric treatment benefits.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising the reaction product of itaconic anhydride and amino compounds, particularly hydrolysed proteins, which is derived from renewable sources, offering benefits such as fabric conditioning, easy ironing, and other functional properties without petrochemical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fossil-fuel-based ingredients are used in fabric conditioners, then effective fabric treatment benefits are achieved, but environmental sustainability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the source parameter of the chemical ingredients from fossil-fuel-based to renewable plant-based sources. Specifically, it uses plant-derived itaconic acid instead of petrochemical softening agents, maintaining fabric treatment effectiveness while improving environmental sustainability. The reaction product of plant itaconic acid with amino compounds provides the desired fabric conditioning benefits without compromising environmental performance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If renewable plant-based ingredients are used instead of fossil-fuel-based ingredients, then environmental sustainability is improved, but fabric treatment effectiveness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite chemical structure by reacting plant-derived itaconic acid with amino compounds (such as hydrolyzed proteins or amino acids). This composite reaction product combines the renewable source advantage of plant materials with the effective fabric conditioning properties traditionally associated with petrochemical softening agents, thus maintaining fabric treatment effectiveness while achieving environmental sustainability.
3Reliability
If itaconic anhydride reacts with 1 mol% to 100 mol% of free amino groups, then fabric conditioning benefits are achieved, but reaction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes a flexible molar ratio parameter (1 mol% to 100 mol% of free amino groups) to optimize the reaction between itaconic anhydride and amino compounds. This parameter range allows adjustment of reaction complexity based on desired performance levels, enabling manufacturers to balance fabric conditioning benefits against process complexity requirements. The broad ratio range provides flexibility to achieve effective fabric conditioning without necessarily requiring complex multi-step reaction processes.
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 composition effectively provides fabric conditioning, easy ironing, and other benefits like color protection and odor neutralization, while being environmentally friendly by using renewable materials.
Implementation Method 1
the reaction product of: a) itaconic anhydride; and b) an amino compound comprising at least one free amino group
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a composition comprising the reaction product of a) itaconic anhydride; and b) an amino compound comprising at least one free amino group, wherein the amino compound is selected from hydrolysed proteins; wherein the composition comprises itaconic modified amino compound, wherein the itaconic modified amino compound is the reaction product of a) and b). In another embodiment, the amino compound is selected from the group consisting of amino acids, peptides and hydrolysed proteins. The invention further provides a home care formulation comprising the composition of the invention, a fabric conditioner or softener, a method of treating fibres and a use of the composition.