Abstract: Aqueous polymer dispersions containing,I as the disperse phase, a film-forming dispersion polymer andII in the aqueous phase, from 5 to 40% by weight, based on the total dry mass of I and II, of a completely or partially neutralized water-soluble copolymer ofa) from 50 to 80 mol % of an olefinically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid, of an anhydride of these acids or of a mixture of these monomers,b) from 20 to 50 mol % of a C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 -alkene, of styrene or of a mixture of these monomers andc) from 0 to 10 mol % of further monomers which can be subjected to free radical polymerization,and the powders obtained by spray-drying these polymer dispersions are suitable as binders for water-resistant plastics renders and coatings and as adhesives or adhesive components.

Abstract: Heat-curable, aqueous synthetic resin mixtures for coating woodworking materials, based on etherified melamine/formaldehyde condensates and aqueous synthetic resin dispersions, a process for the preparation of these mixtures and their use for coating woodworking materials.

Abstract: Formaldehyde is prepared by (a) passing a mixture of methanol and water with a concentration of between 50 and 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the two substances, of methanol into a packed column which possesses a packing having a total layer thickness of not less than 50 cm and a total surface area of not less than 0.5 cm.sup.2 per cm.sup.3 of packing, a liquid circulation of from 15 to 90 g/min per g/min of methanol fed to the column, and a concentration of from 10 to 45% by weight of methanol in the recycle liquid, the temperature at the point of entry of the recycle liquid in the column being from 50.degree. to 86.degree. C. and the bottom temperature being 10.degree.-25.degree. C. lower than this, i.e. from 40.degree. to 70.degree. C., (b) separating off methanol and water from the column by stripping with air, an inert gas and/or exit gas, the throughput being from 0.5 to 3 tonnes of methanol and water per hour per m.sup.