Abstract: Water soluble nonionic cellulose ethers are provided, containing mixed alkylphenoxyalkyleneoxy-2-hydroxy propylene groups, having hydrophilic units composed of (a) alkyleneoxy groups of two or three carbon atoms, in a number from zero to about six, selected from --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--; ##STR1## and --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--; and (b) one 2-hydroxy propylene group, together with hydrophobic units which are alkylphenoxy groups of the formula ##STR2## where R and R.sub.4 are hydrocarbon groups having from about four to about thirty carbon atoms, preferably from about nine to about eighteen carbon atoms; n.sub.

Abstract: A flat or semi-flat water paint composition having improved rheology- and performance-properties prepared by adding a water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether and an associative polyurethane thickener, each being a rheology- and performance-improving agent, to a flat or semi-flat water paint composition, wherein the weight ratio of the associative polyurethane thickener to the water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether is 2:8-8:2.