Abstract: The invention describes a multistage process, for producing particles with an average particle size from 50 nm to 1000 nm in a very effective and gentle manner, wherein the solid substance (active substance) is dissolved in a solvent, this liquid containing the solid substance (active substance) in dissolved form is then frozen very rapidly, the solvent/solvents used are optionally removed from the frozen matrix obtained in a (freeze-)drying process (lyophilization) or the frozen matrix is further processed directly, the solid matrix (frozen or lyophilized) is dispersed in an external phase, a liquid medium, which can be water, a mixture of water with water-miscible liquids or a non-aqueous liquid, and the resulting dispersion is then immediately exposed to high shear and/or cavitation forces, and the forces applied result in stabilization or comminution of the resulting particles in the nanometer range.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for producing very fine particles which are then coated with protective polymers in another step of the process. The particles are produced using a method in which a liquid flow comprising a particle-free liquid 1 that contains the active substance in a dissolved form is combined with a second liquid flow comprising a liquid 2 in a high-energy zone or no sooner than two seconds before reaching the high-energy zone. Said two liquids can be mixed with each other while the active substance dissolved in liquid 1 is insoluble or more difficult to dissolve in liquid 2 than in liquid 1 and settles in the form of particles in the high-energy zone or within a maximum of 2 seconds before reaching the high-energy zone when the two liquids are mixed. The obtained particles are introduced into an aqueous outer phase which contains the coating materials in a dissolved form and are then subjected to a drying step such that said materials settle on the particles as a closed coating.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for encapsulating pigment particles, which comprises (A) producing a dispersion of the pigment to be encapsulated, (B) then applying a polyelectrolyte layer to the surface of the pigment particles, (C) further applying a polyelectrolyte layer having opposite charge to (B), and/or adding low molecular weight, multivalent ions oppositely charged to (B), and (D) if appropriate repeating steps (B) and (C), said steps (B), (C) and if appropriate (D) being carried out in the presence of a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for producing very fine particles which are then coated with protective polymers in another step of the process. The particles are produced using a method in which a liquid flow comprising a particle-free liquid 1 that contains the active substance in a dissolved form is combined with a second liquid flow comprising a liquid 2 in a high-energy zone or no sooner than two seconds before reaching the high-energy zone. Said two liquids can be mixed with each other while the active substance dissolved in liquid 1 is insoluble or more difficult to dissolve in liquid 2 than in liquid 1 and settles in the form of particles in the high-energy zone or within a maximum of 2 seconds before reaching the high-energy zone when the two liquids are mixed. The obtained particles are introduced into an aqueous outer phase which contains the coating materials in a dissolved form and are then subjected to a drying step such that said materials settle on the particles as a closed coating.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for encapsulating pigment particles, which comprises (A) producing a dispersion of the pigment to be encapsulated, (B) then applying a polyelectrolyte layer to the surface of the pigment particles, (C) further applying a polyelectrolyte layer having opposite charge to (B), and/or adding low molecular weight, multivalent ions oppositely charged to (B), and (D) if appropriate repeating steps (B) and (C), said steps (B), (C) and if appropriate (D) being carried out in the presence of a nonionic surfactant.