Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of pigmented opacifying polymer particles, the particles comprising: i. an inorganic core comprising dispersed inorganic pigment particle and a dispersant ii. a first layer of base-swellable polymer comprising acid groups encapsulating the core iii. a second layer of non-base-swellable polymer encapsulating the first layer wherein the dispersant comprises or consists of hydroxyl moieties; and carboxyl groups derived from itaconic acid.

Abstract: A method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of opacifying polymer particles containing inorganic pigment particles therein is disclosed. The method yields hollow polymer particles containing pigment particles therein using a non-RAFT emulsion polymerization process by free radical polymerization. The technique is much faster and simpler than known RAFT methods.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of pigmented opacifying polymer particles, the particles comprising: i. an inorganic core comprising dispersed inorganic pigment particle and a dispersant ii. a first layer of base-swellable polymer comprising acid groups encapsulating the core iii. a second layer of non-base-swellable polymer encapsulating the first layer wherein the dispersant comprises or consists of hydroxyl moieties; and carboxyl groups derived from itaconic acid.

Abstract: A method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of opacifying polymer particles containing inorganic pigment particles therein comprising or consisting of the steps of: i. dispersing inorganic pigment in aqueous medium using a dispersant of acid value at least 65 mg KOH/g of dispersant, the dispersant comprising acid moieties and the pH during dispersion is greater than the pKa of the acid moieties and also at least 0.25 pH units above or below the iso-electric point of the pigment particles, to form a stable aqueous dispersion of the pigment in the aqueous medium ii. adjusting the pH of the pigment dispersion to below the pKa of the acid moieties comprising the base swellable polymer of step iii. whilst satisfying the pH criteria of step i. iii. forming a first layer of a base swellable polymer on the pigment particles by polymerising monomers comprising acid moieties iv. forming a second layer of non-base swellable polymer v.

Abstract: A method of making a polymerisable ethylenically unsaturated macromonomer comprising the steps of: i) providing a chosen unsaturated non-mineral oil or a mixture of unsaturated non-mineral oils having a first blend of triglycerides, ii) treating the mixture of oils with a transesterification catalyst to produce a second blend of triglycerides different to the first, iii) reacting the second blend of triglycerides with an enophile having an acid, ester or anhydride moiety to form an adduct, iv) reacting the adduct with an ethylencially unsaturated monomer having a moiety reactive with the acid, ester or anhydride moiety of the enophile to form an intermediate, v) reacting the intermediate of step (iv) with a chain extender having at least two moieties reactive with the acid, ester or anhydride moiety of the enophile to form the ethylenically unsaturated macromonomer.

Abstract: A polymerisable ethylenically unsaturated macromonomer being the reaction product of: i) an adduct formed from the reaction of an unsaturated non-mineral oil reacted with an enophile having an acid, ester or anhydride moiety and ii) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a moiety reactive with the acid, ester or anhydride moiety of the enophile and iii) a chain extender material having at least two moieties reactive with the acid, ester or anhydride moiety of the enophile.

Abstract: An aqueous paint composition comprising i) a binder polymer ii) a salt of a fatty acid of linear chain length of from 10 to 26 carbon atoms said composition capable of being formed into a self-supporting, dimensionally stable paint body.

Abstract: A method of making a polymerisable ethylenically unsaturated macromonomer comprising the steps of: i) providing a chosen unsaturated non-mineral oil or a mixture of unsaturated non-mineral oils having a first blend of triglycerides, ii) treating the mixture of oils with a transesterification catalyst to produce a second blend of triglycerides different to the first, iii) reacting the second blend of triglycerides with an enophile having an acid, ester or anhydride moiety to form an adduct, iv) reacting the adduct with an ethylencially unsaturated monomer having a moiety reactive with the acid, ester or anhydride moiety of the enophile to form an intermediate, v) reacting the intermediate of step (iv) with a chain extender having at least two moieties reactive with the acid, ester or anhydride moiety of the enophile to form the ethylenically unsaturated macromonomer.

Abstract: A process for making poly(urethane-urea)/addition polymer composite particles which avoids the need to use a highly viscous solution of a prepolymer for the poly(urethane-urea). The process comprises dissolving diol and di-isocyanate in addition polymerisable monomers and allowing them to co-react but for only long enough to form a precursor for the prepolymer which is of a lower molecular weight than the prepolymer so that the precursor forms a solution of much lower viscosity. This lower viscosity solution is then dispersed in water to give droplets in which the co-reaction continues and completes the formation of the prepolymer whilst water diffuses into the droplets and causes chain extension to create the poly(urethane-urea) particles.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of particles of an addition polymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomers which dispersion also contains a stabilizing copolymer of a) weak acid containing species b) crosslinking species and optionally c) ethylenically singly unsaturated comonomers wherein the stabilizing copolymer contains at least 0.3% of crosslinking species.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of particles of an addition polymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomers which dispersion also contains a stabilising copolymer of

Abstract: A process for making poly(urethane-urea)/addition polymer composite particles which avoids the need to use a highly viscous solution of a prepolymer for the poly(urethane-urea). The process comprises dissolving diol and di-isocyanate in addition polymerisable monomers and allowing them to co-react but for only long enough to form a precursor for the prepolymer which is of a lower molecular weight than the prepolymer so that the precursor forms a solution of much lower viscosity. This lower viscosity solution is then dispersed in water to give droplets in which the co-reaction continues and completes the formation of the prepolymer whilst water diffuses into the droplets and causes chain extension to create the poly(urethane-urea) particles.