Abstract: High molecular weight ethylene (meth)acrylic acid (EAA) dispersions and methods for producing the same are provided. An exemplary method for producing a high molecular weight ethylene (meth)acrylic acid (EAA) dispersion includes mixing an ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid (EAA) copolymer, having a mass flow index (MFI) of no greater than about 300 g/10 min at 190° C. and 2.16 kg, and a base at a temperature of at least about 100° C. to form a molten phase in which the EAA copolymer is relaxed by the base. The exemplary method further includes mixing water with the molten phase at least until the molten phase disperses into the water to form the high molecular weight EAA dispersion.

Abstract: This invention relates to water-soluble hydroxyethylcelluloses (HECs) and derivatives thereof having a hydroxyethyl molar substitution (HE-MS) from about 0.7 to 1.3. These HECs are more efficient in thickening aqueous systems than prior art HEC products and show unique rheology in low water activity systems. These HECs can be distinguished from prior art and commercial HEC products by having an unsubstituted anhydroglucose trimer ratio (U3R) less than 0.21 and a water solubility greater than 90 wt %. This invention also relates to a unique continuous caustic reduction hydroxyethylation process for making the water-soluble, lowly substituted HECs and uses thereof in functional systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to non-uniformly substituted (“blocky”) hydroxyethylcelluloses (HECs) and derivatives thereof that exhibit associative behavior in both neat solutions and in filled systems. The HECs and derivatives thereof exhibit unique and highly desirable rheology and are more efficient in thickening aqueous systems than prior art HEC products. These blocky HECs can be distinguished from prior art and commercial HEC products by having an unsubstituted anhydroglucose trimer ratio (U3R) greater than 0.21 and the hydroxethyl molar substitution greater than about 1.3 and less than about 5. This invention also relates to processes for making blocky HEC and uses thereof in functional systems.