Abstract: A superabsorbent foam comprising from 0.01% by weight to 10% by weight of fibers composed of woodpulp or waste paper, based on the dry weight of the foam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of workpieces, wherein (a) pieces of open-cell aminoplast foam having an average diameter in the range from 50 ?m to 5 mm (weight average) (b) are mixed with at least one film-forming polymer, subjected to a shape-imparting step and then dried.

Abstract: Use of aqueous dispersions of water-soluble and/or water-swellable anionic polymers and water-soluble neutralizing agents as an additive to aqueous extinguishing agents, and method for fighting fires with aqueous extinguishing agents, an aqueous dispersion of water-soluble and/or water-swellable anionic polymers and at least one water-soluble neutralizing agent being mixed with water so that the mixture has a polymer content of not more than 5% by weight and a pH of at least 5.5.

Abstract: A method for cleaning surfaces using aminoplast foam pieces produced from (a) open-cell aminoplast foams having a density in the range from 5 to 500 kg/m3 and a mean pore diameter in the range from 1 ?m to 1 mm or (b) open-cell aminoplast foams having a density in the range from 5 to 500 kg/m3 and a mean pore diameter in the range from 1 ?m to 1 mm, which have been treated (b1) with an aqueous formulation of at least one compound (b-1) having at least one hemiaminal or aminal group per molecule or at least one copolymer which comprises, incorporated in the form of polymerized units, at least one comonomer containing OH groups or ?-dicarbonyl groups or epoxide groups, or (b2) with at least one polymer (c-1) which is solid at room temperature, contains carboxyl groups and/or carboxylic ester groups and has a molecular weight Mn in the range from 1000 to 1 000 000 g/mol, the aminoplast foam pieces used having an average diameter in the range from 0.1 mm to 50 mm.

Abstract: Mixtures comprising (a) pieces of open-cell aminoplastic foam with an average diameter in the range from 50 ?m to 5 mm (weight-average), (b) water, (c) at least one surfactant and (d) if appropriate an oil or fat phase.

Abstract: The invention concerns fire-extinguishing and/or fire-retarding compositions comprising at least one water-absorbing polymer and at least one alkali metal salt of a nonpolymeric saturated carboxylic acid, processes for their production and the use of the compositions for firefighting or as fire-retarding coatings.

Abstract: The invention concerns water-absorbing polymers for producing fire-retarding compositions, comprising at least one interpolymerized ethylenically unsaturated monomer bearing acid groups, wherein from 51 to 64 mol % of the acid groups are present as carboxylate groups and some or all of the carboxylate groups have potassium ions as counterions, processes for producing the water-absorbing polymers and also the production of fire-retarding compositions and coatings.

Abstract: Polymeric particles capable of absorbing blood and/or body fluids, the polymeric particles being coated with at least one surfactant and with at least one solvent, are produced and used for absorbing blood and/or body fluids, especially in hygiene articles.

Abstract: The invention relates to high-functionality polyether polyols of the general formula where each R?1 is an unsubstituted or substituted aliphatic or aromatic radical and each R?2 is an unsubstituted or substituted aliphatic or aromatic radical, H, OH, polyalkyl ether chain or halogen, each X is a polyalkyl ether chain or H, where at least one X is a polyalkyl ether chain, and m is an integer from 0 to 20, where Xm is H when m is 0, and n is an integer from 4 to 12, to processes for preparing such high-functionality polyether polyols and also to the use thereof for preparing polyurethanes and nonionic surfactants.