Destructurized Starch Microgranules for Biodegradable Abrasives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microbeads made of polyethylene and polyamides have long degradation times, leading to micropollution in the environment, and there is a need for an alternative that maintains performance while being biodegradable.

Innovation Solution

Use of destructurized starch in a complexed form with polymers containing hydrophilic groups intercalated with hydrophobic sequences to create microgranules suitable for abrasive and structuring agents, which are quickly biodegradable and provide similar performance to conventional microbeads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional microbeads made of polyethylene and polyamides are used, then abrasive performance and structuring properties are achieved, but degradation time is very long causing environmental micropollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedegradation timeVSAvoidenvironmental micropollution

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of microbeads from conventional polyethylene/polyamides to destructurized starch complexed with specific polymers (containing hydrophilic groups and hydrophobic sequences). This parameter change enables rapid biodegradation while maintaining abrasive and structuring properties, directly resolving the contradiction between durability and environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials by complexing destructurized starch with polymers containing hydrophilic groups intercalated with hydrophobic sequences. This composite structure provides both the required performance characteristics (abrasive effect, structuring ability) and biodegradability, eliminating environmental micropollution while maintaining functional effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of stationary object

If destructurized starch in complexed form is used, then biodegradability is rapidly improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to extrusion process requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiodegradation rateVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise extrusion parameters (temperature 110-250°C, pressure 0.1-7 MPa, specific energy >0.1 kWh/kg) to achieve destructurization of starch. By optimizing these parameters, the process becomes controllable and scalable, reducing manufacturing complexity while ensuring rapid biodegradation through complete destruction of the native granular structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If starch native granular structure is maintained, then manufacturing simplicity is preserved, but abrasive and structuring performance cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidabrasive and structuring performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by destructurizing the starch granular structure before complexation with polymers. This pre-treatment step is essential to enable the subsequent complexation process to form the microgranules with desired abrasive and structuring properties. The extrusion process with controlled temperature, pressure, and shear force destroys the native structure, making the starch ready for effective complexation and performance optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 microgranules achieve comparable performance to conventional microbeads while being rapidly biodegradable, reducing environmental pollution and offering improved sensory properties in cosmetic, dermatological, and cleansing formulations.

Implementation Method 1

polymers containing hydrophilic groups intercalated with hydrophobic sequences

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic interactions: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

destructurized starch in a complexed form with polymers containing hydrophilic groups intercalated with hydrophobic sequences

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplexation:

Implementation Method 3

extrusion process at temperatures between 110 and 250°C, preferably 130-180°C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal degradation: Thermolysis

Implementation Method 4

providing a specific energy of more than 0.1 kWh/kg during the extrusion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear force: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentUS12514808B2Use of compositions comprising destructurized starch in a complexed form as abrasives and/or structuring agents

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 NOVAMONT SPA

AI summary

This invention relates to the use of microgranules comprising destructurized starch in a complexed form as abrasive and/or structuring agents in cosmetic, dermatological, detergent and cleansing formulations.