Abstract: A process for antibacterially finishing a polymeric substrate involving: (a) providing a polymeric substrate made from a compound selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin, a polyester, and combinations thereof; (b) providing an antibacterial finish composition containing: (i) from about 0.1 to 10% by weight of at least one monoester of glycerol and a C6-14 fatty acid; and (ii) from about 0.01 to 10% by weight of chitosan, all weights being based on the weight of the composition; and (c) applying the composition onto the polymeric substrate.

Abstract: Processes are described for preparing anhydrous detergent granules, wherein the processes comprise: (a) providing an alk(en)yl oligoglycoside composition having a residual fatty alcohol content; (b) reducing the fatty alcohol content of the composition to 30% by weight or less to provide a reduced alcohol content alk(en)yl oligoglycoside; and (c) combining the reduced alcohol content alk(en)yl oligoglycoside with one or more detergent additives.

Abstract: An emulsifier for use in making PIT or microemulsions is comprised of (a) from 45 to 60% by weight of a partial glyceride, (b) from 5 to 25% by weight of an alcohol polyglycol ether, (C) from 5 to 15% by weight fatty alcohol, and (d) from 0 to 15% by weight of a wax ester wherein the monoglyceride content of the partial glyceride is less than 50% by weight and wherein the monoglyceride is comprised of palmitic and stearic acid residues in a ratio by weight of from 40:60 to 60:40. Emulsions containing these emulsifiers neither gel nor crystallize in storage.

Abstract: A process for making granular solids involving: (a) providing a substantially anhydrous preparation, which is solid at room temperature and contain at least one cosmetic feed material; (b) liquifying the substantially anhydrous preparation to form a melt; (c) providing a vibrating casting plate used for droplet formation; (d) introducing the melt onto the vibrating casting plate to form melt droplets thereon; (e) providing a cooling medium; and (f) contacting the melt droplets with the cooling medium which is passed countercurrently to the melt droplets, thus forming the granular solids, and wherein the granular solids have a monodisperse particle size distribution and are substantially free of particles having a diameter of less than 0.3 mm.

Abstract: Hydroxy mixed ethers of the general formula (I): R1O[CH2CH2O]xCH2CH(OH)R2??(I) wherein R1 represents a linear or branched, alkyl or alkenyl group having from 4 to 22 carbon atoms; R2 represents a linear or branched, alkyl or alkenyl group having from 2 to 22 carbon atoms; and x represents a number of from 40 to 80, are described along with compositions containing such hydroxy mixed ethers in conjunction with other surfactants. Also described are various anti-foaming uses for such ethers and compositions containing the same.

Abstract: Solid laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents and cleaners which are obtained by mixing gemini surfactants of the formula (I), R1CH(OH)CHR3(OCH2CH2)nOCHR4CH(OH)R2??(I) in which R1 and R2,independently of one another, are linear or branched alkyl and/or alkenyl radicals having 4 to 22 carbon atoms, R3 and R4, independent of one another, each represents a hydrogen or an alk(en)yl radical having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms and n is a number from 5 to 400, with inorganic or organic carriers.

Abstract: A deodorizing composition containing an ingredient selected from the group consisting of a nanoscale chitosan having a particle diameter of from about 1 to 300 nm, a nanoscale chitosan derivative having a particle diameter of from about 1 to 300 nm, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for making spherically-shaped sterol preparations involving: (a) providing a liquid sterol preparation; (b) forming the liquid sterol preparation into liquid sterol droplets; and (c) solidifying the liquid sterol droplets to form the spherically-shaped sterol preparations.

Abstract: Guerbet alcohols of the formula (I) CH3(CH2)nCHR1CH2OH??(I) wherein R1 is a linear alkyl radical having n-1 carbon atoms and n is a number of from 5 to 11 are produced by a process which comprises contacting a fatty alcohol of the formula (II) R2OH??(II) wherein R2 is a linear alkyl radical having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms with a carbonyl compound and an alkall metal hydroxide. The use of heavy metal catalysts usually associated with the production of Guerbet alcohols is avoided thereby reducing the potential for heavy metal pollution of the environment.

Abstract: Processes for preparing light-colored alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycoside mixtures are disclosed. The processes disclosed include providing an initial mixture of an alk(en)yl oligoglycoside and a rheology-modifying agent, the mixture having a viscosity of from 10 to 1000 mPas at a temperature of from 85 to 130° C., and a water content of less than 2% by weight, based on the alk(en)yl oligoglycoside; and bleaching the initial mixture at a temperature of from 85 to 130° C. to form a light-colored surfactant mixture having a water content of less than 2% by weight, based on the alk(en)yl oligoglycoside. Also disclosed is the use of such mixtures in cleaning compositions, such as detergents, washing and dishwashing compositions.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for producing esters are described. The processes include: (a) providing a liquid reaction mixture comprising (i) an unsaturated carboxylic acid having a boiling point greater than water, (ii) a polyhydric alcohol, and (iii) a first polymerization inhibitor, in a reaction zone having an inner surface; (b) reacting the acid and the polyhydric alcohol to form an ester, such that a gas/vapor phase is formed comprising water of reaction; (c) removing at least a portion of the gas/vapor phase from the reaction zone to a dephlegmation zone having an inner surface; (d) partially condensing the portion of the gas/vapor phase in the dephlegmation zone such that a condensate is formed; and (e) returning the condensate to the reaction zone; wherein a second polymerization inhibitor is introduced into the dephlegmation zone such that the portion of the gas/vapor phase and/or the condensate are contacted with the second polymerization inhibitor.

Abstract: A single stage process for deacidifying glycerides involving: (a) providing a glyceride having an acid value of from about 5 to 20; (b) providing a lower alcohol; (c) providing an enzyme catalyst immobilized on a support material; and passing a mixture of (a) and (b), over (c), thereby deacidifying the glycerides.

Abstract: Solid composition useful for the production of dishwashing, laundry or cleaning compositions are comprised of (a) a hydroxy mixed ether of the formula (I) wherein R1 is a linear or branched alkyl group having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, R2 is hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl group having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, R3 is a linear or branched alkyl and/or alkenyl group having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, each of n1 and n2 independently is a number from 0 to 60 and m is 0 or a number from 0.5 to 5, with the provisos that the total number of carbon atoms in the substituents R1 and R2 is at least 6 and the sum (n1+m+n2) is greater than 0; and (b) a polymer. The compositions according to the invention can optionally contain additional nonionic surfactants, carriers, auxiliaries and additives typically found in laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents and cleaning compositions.

Abstract: A process for making aldehydes involving: (a) providing a fatty alcohol; (b) providing an oxidic copper/zinc catalyst; and (c) continuously dehydrogenating the fatty alcohol, in the presence of the oxidic copper/zinc catalyst, at a temperature of from about 200 to 280° C. and a pressure of from about 10 mbar to 1 bar.

Abstract: Branched fatty compounds are made by a process which comprises reacting an unsaturated fatty compound and an ?-olefin in the presence of a transition metal catalyst and a solvent mixture wherein the solvent mixture is a single liquid phase above 20° C. and is two liquid phases below 20° C.

Abstract: Radically post-crosslinked polymers are made by a process comprising the steps of: (1) forming a polyurethane (a*) by reacting a compound (a) with an aliphatic and/or an aromatic isocyanate and a compound (c) wherein compound (a) is the product of the reaction of an epoxidized fatty acid ester and/or an epoxidized triglyceride with acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid and wherein compound (c) is a polyol ester having two or more C?C double bonds per molecule; (2) forming a crosslinked polyurethane by reacting the polyurethane (a*) with a radical initiator (b). The polymers are useful as components in composites comprised of natural and/or synthetic fibers.

Abstract: Processes for preparing surfactant granules, wherein the processes comprise: (a) passing a water-containing surfactant preparation through a casting plate, wherein the casting plate vibrates, such that droplets of the preparation are formed; and (b) contacting the droplets with a gaseous drying agent; are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to epoxy resin hardener compositions containing at least one mercaptan hardener and at least one metal salt of C8-24 carboxylic acids. These hardeners are distinguished in particular by the fact that catalyzed resins containing epoxy resins and the hardener compositions according to the invention give high-gloss molding compounds, more particularly coatings, after hardening by crosslinking.

Abstract: A pearlescent composition containing: (a) a dialkyl ether corresponding to formula (I): R1—O—R2??(I) wherein R1 and R2 independently of one another represent linear or branched alkyl and/or alkenyl groups having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms; (b) a cationic polymer; and (c) an emulsifier selected from the group consisting of a fatty acid-N-alkyl polyhydroxyalkyl amide, an alkyl ether sulfate, a betaine, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Surfactant granules are made by the process comprising the steps of (1) mixing an aqueous nonionic surfactant paste and an aqueous solution of an organic polymeric carrier; (2) simultaneously granulating and drying the mixture from step (1) in a fluidized bed to form a granulated nonionic surfactant. The surfactant granules are dust-free, flowable, storage-stable, show no tendency toward clumping and are readily soluble in cold water.