Abstract: A manufactured polymer comprises (A) a synthetic component covalently bonded to (B) a natural component, wherein the natural component comprises oligosaccharide or polysaccharide, and wherein an end group of said oligosaccharide or polysaccharide is when in an open-chain form substantially devoid of aldehyde functionality.

Abstract: Alkali-swellable rheology modifier comprising a core-shell polymer comprising a core polymer and a shell comprising at least one shell copolymer layer at least partially cross-linked and containing a mole percent of crosslinking agent greater than the mole percent of crosslinking agent in the core polymer, provided if the mole percent of crosslinking agent in the core polymer is zero, then either the core polymer is greater than 60 wt % of the core-shell polymer; the core polymer comprises at least one associative monomer; at least one shell copolymer layer copolymer comprises at least one associative monomer; and/or the at least one shell copolymer layer that is at least partially cross-linked comprises greater than 3 mole% crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Alkali-swellable rheology modifier comprising a core-shell polymer comprising a core polymer and a shell comprising at least one shell copolymer layer at least partially cross-linked and containing a mole percent of crosslinking agent greater than the mole percent of crosslinking agent in the core polymer, provided if the mole percent of crosslinking agent in the core polymer is zero, then either the core polymer is greater than 60 wt % of the core-shell polymer; the core polymer comprises at least one associative monomer; at least one shell copolymer layer copolymer comprises at least one associative monomer; and/or the at least one shell copolymer layer that is at least partially cross-linked comprises greater than 3 mole % crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Alkali-swellable rheology modifier comprising a core-shell polymer comprising a core polymer and a shell comprising at least one shell copolymer layer at least partially cross-linked and containing a mole percent of crosslinking agent greater than the mole percent of crosslinking agent in the core polymer, provided if the mole percent of crosslinking agent in the core polymer is zero, then either the core polymer is greater than 60 wt % of the core-shell polymer; the core polymer comprises at least one associative monomer; at least one shell copolymer layer copolymer comprises at least one associative monomer; and/or the at least one shell copolymer layer that is at least partially cross-linked comprises greater than 3 mole % crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A dried rheology modifier composition comprises a swellable emulsion polymer and a water soluble support polymer. In one embodiment the swellable emulsion polymer is polymerized in the presence of the water soluble support polymer. In one embodiment the swellable emulsion polymer is blended with the water soluble support polymer. The drying can be accomplished by spray drying, resulting in a non-tacky powder having good shelf life. The dried rheology modifiers can be subjected to a further heat treatment which can result in a rheology modifier that imparts a short flow characteristic to product formulations. The swellable emulsion polymer can be alkali swellable or acid swellable. The water soluble support polymer can be a polysaccharide or a derivative thereof, or a polyvinyl acetate or derivative thereof.