Abstract: A method of preparing hydrophobicizing leather treatment compositions includes the steps of a) free-radically initiated copolymerization of i) at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or its derivatives, and ii) at least one (meth)acrylate of a primary saturated C8 to C22 alcohol, b) mixing the reaction mixture obtained after step a) with water, c) salting at least some of the carboxyl groups of the reaction mixture obtained after step b) with a base, and d) shearing the reaction mixture obtained after step c) to an average particle size of 0.05-10 ?m, wherein step a) is carried out in oil as reaction medium and wherein the atmosphere in step a) contains less than 0.1% by volume of an oxidizing gas.

Abstract: A method of preparing hydrophobicizing leather treatment compositions includes the steps of a) free-radically initiated copolymerization of i) at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or its derivatives, and ii) at least one (meth)acrylate of a primary saturated C8 to C22 alcohol, b) mixing the reaction mixture obtained after step a) with water, c) salting at least some of the carboxyl groups of the reaction mixture obtained after step b) with a base, and d) shearing the reaction mixture obtained after step c) to an average particle size of 0.05-10 ?m, wherein step a) is carried out in oil as reaction medium and wherein the atmosphere in step a) contains less than 0.1% by volume of an oxidizing gas.