Abstract: The invention relates to water-soluble block copolymers comprising at least one block of hydrophobic nature and at least one block of hydrophilic nature, the block of hydrophobic nature exhibiting hydrophilic units in an amount of between 33% and 99% by weight with respect to the total weight of the units of the hydrophobic block. These copolymers are preferably diblocks or triblocks and are prepared by a polymerization process referred to as a living or controlled. Control of their hydrophilic-lipophilic balance makes it possible to adjust their solubility in water and their self-association properties. These copolymers can be used in particular as adhesion agents or wetting agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gelling aqueous composition comprising block copolymers containing at least one water-soluble block and at least one block predominantly hydrophobic in nature, and forming a viscoelastic gel.

Abstract: Rheologically/water retentivity improved aqueous papercoating compositions comprise immixture, in water, of (i) a water-insoluble, non-alkali-swellable latex A of a film-forming polymer having a mean particle size .phi..sub.A ranging from 60 to 300 nm, (ii) a water-insoluble, alkali-swellable latex B of a polymer having a mean particle size .phi..sub.B ranging from 20 to 150 nm measured at a pH of from 2 to 4 and swelling at least 1.5 times in diameter in an alkaline medium, and (iii) an inorganic pigment C which comprises at least 40% by weight of CaCO.sub.3.