Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of aqueous vinyl polymer dispersions having good film forming properties, good stability and in can clarity, to the polymer dispersions obtainable by the process and coating compositions prepared from said polymer dispersions and the use thereof. The process comprising, (1) a first polymerization step comprising (1a) preparing an emulsion (1A) in water of a first monomer mixture (1a1) comprising carboxylic acid functional monomers, a surfactant (1a2) and water soluble inorganic salt (1a3) wherein surfactant (1a2) is a sulfur based anionic surfactant containing less than 60 wt % ethylene oxide and wherein the salt (1a3) content at the start of polymerization (1b) is between 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of aqueous vinyl polymer dispersions having good film forming properties, good stability and in can clarity, to the polymer dispersions obtainable by the process and coating compositions prepared from said polymer dispersions and the use thereof. The process comprising, (1) a first polymerisation step comprising (1a) preparing an emulsion (1A) in water of a first monomer mixture (1a1) comprising carboxylic acid functional monomers, a surfactant (1a2) and water soluble inorganic salt (1a3) wherein surfactant (1a2) is a sulfur based anionic surfactant containing less than 60 wt % ethylene oxide and wherein the salt (1a3) content at the start of polymerization (1b) is between 0.