Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of branched addition copolymers in systems which can be cured post synthesis to form for example polymer coatings, sealants, inks, adhesives or composites and also relates to methods of preparing the cured systems, compositions comprising such copolymers and the use of the compositions in for example but not limited to coatings, inks, sealants, adhesives or composites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to branched addition copolymers which can be cured post synthesis to form films or membranes, methods for their preparation, compositions comprising such copolymers and their use in film or membrane preparation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of branched addition copolymers possessing melt or solution viscosities lower than the linear polymer analogues of equivalent or greater weight average molecular weight, compositions comprising said copolymers, methods for their preparation, and he use of novel polymers per se in for example but not limited to solution formulations or melt formulations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a branched addition copolymer in combination with a polymer in a solution or melt formulation to reduce the viscosity of the solution formulation and/or melt formulation compared to the viscosity of a solution and/or melt comprising the polymer alone wherein the branched addition copolymer is obtainable by an addition polymerisation process, methods for the preparation of the formulations, and novel branched addition copolymers for use as same.

Abstract: A hair treatment composition for straightening hair. The composition comprises: i) 0.1 to 7.9 wt % of the total formulation of a sugar lactone; and ii) cationic surfactant of formula (1): [N(R1)(R2)(R3)(R4)]+(X)? in which R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from (a) an aliphatic group of from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, or (b) an aromatic, alkoxy, polyoxyalkylene, alkylamido, hydroxyalkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group having up to 22 carbon atoms; and X is a salt-forming anion selected from halogen, acetate, citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate nitrate, sulphate, and alkylsulphate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a branched copolymer comprising a hydrophilic component obtainable by an addition polymerisation process and compositions and uses thereof said copolymer comprising: i) a residue of at least one monofunctional monomer comprising one polymerisable double bond per molecule and a molecular weight of less than 1000 Daltons; ii) a residue of at least one multifunctional monomer comprising at least two polymerisable double bonds per molecule and a molecular weight of less than 1000 Daltons; and wherein the end termini of the copolymer chains comprise one or more of a residue of a chain transfer agent; an initiator or a terminal group derived from a termination reaction; wherein; the molar ratio of the monofunctional monomer to multifunctional monomer is between 50:1 to 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a branched copolymer obtainable by an addition polymerisation process and uses and compositions thereof comprising: i) a residue of at least one monofunctional monomer comprising one polymerisable double bond per molecule and a molecular weight of less than 1000 Daltons; ii) a residue of at least one multifunctional monomer comprising at least two polymerisable double bonds per molecule and a molecular weight of less than 1000 Daltons; and wherein the end termini of the copolymer chains comprise one or more of a residue of a chain transfer agent; an initiator or a terminal group derived from a termination reaction; wherein; the molar ratio of the monofunctional monomer to multifunctional monomer is between 50:1 to 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a branched addition copolymer as a dispersant in a gaseous, liquid or solid formulation in a range of applications and to the copolymers per se wherein the copolymer is obtainable by an addition polymerisation process, wherein said copolymer comprises: at least two chains which are covalently linked by a bridge other than at their ends; and wherein the at least two chains comprise at least one ethyleneically monounsaturated monomer, and wherein the bridge comprises at least one ethyleneically polyunsaturated monomer; and wherein the polymer comprises a residue of a chain transfer agent and wherein the mole ratio of polyunsaturated monomer(s) to monounsaturated monomer(s) is in a range of from 1:100 to 1:4; and wherein the branched copolymer dispersant contains anchoring, solubilising or stabilising moieties and wherein the resulting copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of greater than 100,000 Da.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a branched copolymer obtainable by an addition polymerisation process and uses and compositions thereof comprising a hydrophilic component, said polymer comprising: i) a residue of at least one monofunctional monomer comprising one polymerisable double bond per molecule and a molecular weight of less than 1000 Daltons; ii) a residue of at least one multifunctional monomer comprising at least two polymerisable double bonds per molecule and a molecular weight of less than 1000 Daltons; and wherein the end termini of the copolymer chains comprise one or more of a residue of a chain transfer agent; an initiator or a terminal group derived from a termination reaction; wherein; the molar ratio of the monofunctional monomer to multifunctional monomer is between 50:1 to 2.5:1 respectively; and wherein the hydrophilic component is comprised solely of at least 1 mole % of one or more monofunctional monomer which is/are comprised of hydrophilic monomer each with a solubility of 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amphiphilic branched copolymers, methods for their preparation, emulsions comprising such copolymers and their use as emulsifiers. The polymers are responsive by nature, by forming non-covalent bonds between monomer residues upon applying external stimuli. In a preferred embodiment of the copolymer, the copolymer can be used to stabilise emulsions and the emulsion droplets can be reversibly aggregated and de-aggregated.

Abstract: A branched, hybrid polymer obtainable by an addition polymerisation process, preferably a free-radical polymerisation process, comprising organic chains and inorganic chains wherein: (a) said polymer comprises at least two organic chains which are covalently linked by a bridge other than at their ends, (b) at least one inorganic chain is present, either as a covalently-bonded pendant group on an organic chain or within the bridge, and (c) the polymer comprises a residue of optionally but preferably a chain transfer agent and a residue of an initiator, optionally but preferably a free-radical initiator. The invention further provides a method for the synthesis of these polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a branched polymer obtainable an addition polymerisation process, preferably a free-radical polymerisation process, which is the reaction product of: (a) an initiator, optionally but preferably a free-radical initiator, (b) optionally but preferably a compatible chain transfer agent (E and E?), (c) at least one ethylenically monounsaturated monomer (G and/or J), (d) at least one ethylenically polyunsaturated monomer (L), wherein at least one of (a)-(d) has a molecular weight of at least 1000 Daltons, and the mole ratio of (d) to (c) is greater than 0.0005 to 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amphiphilic branched copolymer obtainable by an addition polymerisation process, preferably a free-radical polymerisation process, which is the reaction product of: (a) an initiator, optionally but preferably a free-radical initiator, (b) optionally but preferably a compatible chain transfer agent (E and E?), (c) at least one ethylenically monounsaturated monomer (G and/or J), (d) at least one ethylenically polyunsaturated monomer (L), wherein at least one of E, E?, G, J and L is a hydrophilic residue; and at least one of E, E?, G, J and L is a hydrophobic residue, and the mole ratio of (d) to (c) is greater than 0.0005 to 1. The invention further relates to a branched copolymer particle comprising such an amphiphilic branched copolymer, methods for their preparation, compositions containing such copolymers and particles and their use as, for instance, encapsulating agents, nanoreactors, Pickering emulsifiers, controlled release agents and/or triggered release agents.

Abstract: A laundry cleaning composition comprises a graft polysaccharide polymer benefit agent capable of imparting a benefit such as soil release or fabric care, and at least one additional laundry cleaning ingredient.

Abstract: A laundry cleaning composition comprises a graft polysaccharide polymer benefit agent capable of imparting a benefit such as soil release or fabric care, and at least one additional laundry cleaning ingredient.