Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrophobically modified alkylene oxide urethane polymer comprising structural units of a polyalkylene glycol, an alkoxylated polyol having 50 to 250 repeating alkylene oxide units, an aliphatic diisocyanate, and a capping agent, and a process for preparing the polymer. The composition of the present invention is useful as a rheology modifier for coating compositions.

Abstract: A method for improving the viscosity stability of an aqueous composition having a latex polymer and associative thickeners with at least one hydrophilic segment and at least two hydrophobic segments is provided. The associative thickeners are chosen such that one associative thickener has a lower molecular weight than the other associative thickener.

Abstract: Nonionic associative thickeners are provided having a nonionic water soluble polymer backbone containing vinyl addition polymer. The nonionic water soluble polymer backbone has at least two pendant polymeric chains attached to the nonionic water soluble polymer backbone. The pendant polymeric chains have terminal chain segments containing polyoxypropylene units. The nonionic associative thickeners are useful for modifying the rheology of compositions including aqueous compositions, such as latex containing compositions.

Abstract: Nonionic associative thickeners are provided having a nonionic water soluble polymer backbone with at least two pendant polymeric chains attached to the nonionic water soluble polymer backbone. The pendant polymeric chains have terminal chain segments containing polyoxyalkylene units comprising 3 to 6 carbon atoms. The nonionic associative thickeners are useful for modifying the rheology of compositions including aqueous compositions, such as latex containing compositions.

Abstract: A binder composition is provided including a copolymer binder and a hydrophobically modified alkali soluble emulsion polymer. The binder composition is useful as a component of paper coating compositions. As provided is a coating process including the paper coating composition and a paper substrate coated with a paper coating including the binder composition.