Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing a hydrogel from a hydrophilic polymer having one or more functional groups which are capable of co-reacting in a condensation reaction which method comprises the steps of: (i) preparing a solution of the polymer; (ii) heating the solution to a temperature sufficient for the condensation reaction to take place for a period of time sufficient for the hydrogel to cross-link wherein where the hydrophilic polymer comprises a first and a second hydrophilic polymer, step (i) comprises a step of mixing the hydrophilic polymers to prepare a homogeneous intimate mixture of the polymers; and wherein the heating step (ii) is carried out at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The method of the invention is advantageous because it is relatively low cost, it is a safer procedure with less health & safety concerns, it is carried out in a liquid state and is not limited by film thickness.

Abstract: A film-forming binder polymer for a coating composition such as a paint, varnish or woodstain where the polymer is modified by the presence of bonded moieties derived from plant gum, particularly plant fibre gum obtainable from plant fibre, especially corn fibre gum and more particularly moieties derived from proteo-xylans and/or furanose. The modified binder polymer minimises the need to use coalescing solvents without producing poor dried paint coatings which fail the scrub resistance tests also improves the opacity of the dried coating composition.

Abstract: A film-forming binder polymer for a coating composition such as a paint, varnish or woodstain where the polymer is modified by the presence of bonded moieties derived from plant gum, particularly plant fibre gum obtainable from plant fibre, especially corn fibre gum and more particularly moieties derived from proteo-xylans and/or furanose. The modified binder polymer minimises the need to use coalescing solvents without producing poor dried paint coatings which fail the scrub resistance tests also improves the opacity of the dried coating composition.