PVOH Acetal Personal Care Composition for Biodegradable Film Performance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional synthetic polymers used in personal care compositions, such as sunscreens and hair fixatives, provide good performance but lack biodegradability, while biodegradable polymers often fail to meet performance standards.

Innovation Solution

A personal care composition comprising a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) acetal, synthesized from a copolymer of vinyl alcohol and vinyl acetate residues with an aldehyde, maintaining an acetal content of 30 mol% or less, which is biodegradable and retains performance characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional synthetic polymers are used in personal care compositions, then film-forming performance and solubility are improved, but biodegradability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilm-forming performanceVSAvoidbiodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of polyvinyl alcohol by controlling the degree of hydrolysis and introducing specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, carboxymethyl) to change its properties. This allows the polymer to achieve both biodegradability and adequate film-forming performance by adjusting chemical parameters rather than using conventional synthetic polymers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite functional polymer by combining polyvinyl alcohol with various functional groups and additives (carboxyl groups, hydroxyl groups, carboxymethyl groups, and optional additives like crosslinking agents or plasticizers) to achieve both biodegradability and the required film-forming properties for personal care applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If biodegradable polymers are used in personal care compositions, then environmental friendliness is improved, but film-forming performance and durability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoidfilm-forming performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the degree of hydrolysis of polyvinyl alcohol (typically 80-95%) and controls the molecular weight and distribution to achieve the right balance between biodegradability and film-forming performance. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the polymer maintains adequate durability while remaining biodegradable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent develops a composite system by incorporating functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, carboxymethyl) and optional additives (crosslinking agents, plasticizers, stabilizers) into the polyvinyl alcohol structure. This composite approach enhances the film-forming performance and durability of biodegradable polymers to match conventional synthetic polymer performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If high degree of functionalization is applied to PVOH, then glossiness and performance are improved, but biodegradability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglossiness and performanceVSAvoidbiodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the degree of functionalization by controlling the amount and type of functional groups introduced into the polyvinyl alcohol structure. By carefully adjusting the concentration of carboxyl, hydroxyl, and carboxymethyl groups, the patent achieves adequate glossiness and performance while maintaining biodegradability, avoiding excessive functionalization that would harm environmental friendliness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 PVOH acetal composition is both biodegradable and maintains performance, offering a protective film for hair and skin while being environmentally friendly.

Implementation Method 1

a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) acetal including the reaction product of: i. a copolymer having at least two repeating units wherein a first repeating unit is a vinyl alcohol residue and a second repeating unit is a vinyl acetate residue; and ii. an aldehyde

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4640208A1Personal care composition

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 AKZO NOBEL CHEMICALS INTERNATIONAL BV

AI summary

This disclosure provides a personal care composition including a) a solvent; b) water present in an amount of from 0 to about 5 wt% based on a total weight of the composition; and c) a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) acetal including the reaction product of i. a copolymer having at least two repeating units wherein a first repeating unit is a vinyl alcohol residue and a second repeating unit is a vinyl acetate residue; and ii. an aldehyde; wherein the PVOH acetal has an acetal content of about 30 mol% or less.