Renewable Polyamide 11 Powder for Cosmetics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional polyamide powders used in cosmetics, such as PA 12, are derived from petroleum-based materials, leading to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, while PA 11 powders from renewable sources have particle size and shape issues that hinder their use in cosmetic applications, failing to meet requirements for effectiveness, texture, sensory qualities, and ecological compatibility.
Innovation Solution
Development of a polyamide powder derived from renewable materials, specifically PA 11, with a process that includes grinding a prepolymer with low viscosity using an air jet mill to achieve particles with a median volume diameter of less than 20 µm and irregular shapes for improved sensory and compaction properties, without the use of solvents or severe chemical treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If polyamide 12 powders are used in cosmetics, then sensory properties (silky-smooth feel) are improved, but environmental impact worsens due to petroleum-based origin and greenhouse gas emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the origin parameter of polyamide from petroleum-based (PA 12) to renewable biomass-based (PA 11), maintaining the desired sensory properties while improving environmental compatibility. This substitution preserves the silky-smooth feel required for cosmetic applications while eliminating the harmful environmental factors associated with fossil fuel extraction and processing.
2Manufacturing precision
If PA 11 powder is ground to achieve fine particle size, then sensory properties are improved, but particle shape becomes irregular which may affect performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification of ground PA 11 particles to separate irregularly shaped particles from spheroidal ones before final application. This preliminary action ensures that only particles with appropriate shape characteristics are used in cosmetic formulations, maintaining both fine particle size for sensory properties and suitable shape for performance.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional dissolution/precipitation processes are used to produce fine polyamide powder, then particle size is reduced, but solvent usage increases leading to environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the solvent step from the conventional dissolution/precipitation process. Instead of dissolving polyamide in solvents and reprecipitating it, the invention uses direct mechanical grinding of PA 11 powder followed by classification to achieve fine particle sizes without any solvent usage, thereby eliminating the associated environmental pollution.
4Manufacturing precision
If severe grinding conditions are applied to obtain fine powder, then particle size is reduced below 30 μm, but energy consumption and process severity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification during the grinding process to separate particles that have already reached the desired fine size (below 30 μm) from those that require further grinding. This preliminary classification prevents unnecessary energy consumption by avoiding excessive grinding of particles that have already achieved the required particle size, thereby reducing overall energy usage while maintaining manufacturing precision.
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 resulting polyamide powder exhibits enhanced sensory properties, improved oil absorption, and compaction capabilities, suitable for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications, while reducing environmental impact and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
grinding a prepolymer with low viscosity using an air jet mill
Implementation Method 2
using an air jet mill to achieve particles with a median volume diameter of less than 20 µm
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a powder of PA polyamide (homopolyamide or copolyamide) at least partially derived from renewable materials, in which the particles have a non-spherical shape and a median volume diameter lower than or equal to 20 µm. The invention also relates to a method for preparing such a powder.