Abstract: Provided is a graft copolymer and a treatment method which give excellent antifouling property to a substrate, especially a carpet. The graft copolymer has a trunk polymer having a hydroxyl group; and a branch having a C7-40 hydrocarbon group bonded to the trunk polymer at a carbon atom substituted with the hydroxyl group, wherein the branch has a repeating unit formed from an acrylic monomer represented by the formula: CH2?C(—X)—C(?O)—Y1—Z(—Y2—R)n. The treatment method include applying the graft copolymer to the substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a dispersion stabilizer for suspension polymerization comprising an aqueous emulsion containing a dispersant (A), a dispersoid (B), a graft polymer (C), and an aqueous medium, wherein the dispersant (A) contains a surfactant, the dispersoid (B) contains a polymer having an ethylenically unsaturated monomer unit, the graft polymer (C) is obtained by graft polymerization of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer with the dispersant (A), a mass ratio [A/(A+B+C)] is 0.001 or more and less than 0.18, a mass ratio [C/(A+B+C)] is 0 or more and less than 0.04, and the total content of the dispersant (A), the dispersoid (B), and the graft polymer (C) is 35 to 70 mass %. A vinyl polymer to be obtained by suspension polymerization of a vinyl compound using the dispersion stabilizer has good plasticizer absorption. Further, the number of fish-eyes that occur when the vinyl polymer is formed is small, and the hue deterioration is also suppressed.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an aqueous ethylene-vinyl alcohol-based copolymer dispersion which is excellent in long-term storage stability and in film-forming properties even when subjected to low-temperature or short-time drying or applied to give thick coats and can give coatings showing high gas barrier performance. The prevent invention is an aqueous ethylene/vinyl alcohol-based copolymer dispersion, which comprises: (A) an ethylene/vinyl alcohol-based copolymer with an ethylene content of 15-65 mole percent and a degree of saponification of not lower than 80 mole percent, (B) a base-neutralized ethylene/?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid-based copolymer and (C) a polyvinyl alcohol with a degree of saponification of 75-100 mole percent and a degree of polymerization of 100-3500, the content of the polyvinyl alcohol (C) being 0.5-100 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the ethylene/vinyl alcohol-based copolymer (A).

Abstract: Methods of modifying a patterned semiconductor substrate are presented including: providing a patterned semiconductor substrate surface including a dielectric region and a conductive region; and applying an amphiphilic surface modifier to the dielectric region to modify the dielectric region. In some embodiments, modifying the dielectric region includes modifying a wetting angle of the dielectric region. In some embodiments, modifying the wetting angle includes making a surface of the dielectric region hydrophilic. In some embodiments, methods further include applying an aqueous solution to the patterned semiconductor substrate surface. In some embodiments, the conductive region is selectively enhanced by the aqueous solution. In some embodiments, methods further include providing the dielectric region formed of a low-k dielectric material. In some embodiments, applying the amphiphilic surface modifier modifies an interaction of the low-k dielectric region with a subsequent process.

Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion adhesive, which is composed of an oil phase and a water phase, wherein the water phase comprises a water-soluble polymer that functions as an adhesive component, the oil phase comprises a non-aqueous polar solvent having an SP value of 8 to 12 (cal/cm3)1/2, and the oil phase comprises a resin that is solid at 30° C. and has an acid value of 10 or less, in an amount of 5 to 15% by mass relative to a total mass of the adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing, in an industrially advantageous manner, an ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer aqueous dispersion which has a high concentration and is excellent in long-term storage stability and in which the resin particles in the aqueous dispersion obtained are small in particle diameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an emulsion for vibration damping materials, including an emulsion obtainable by emulsion polymerization of a monomer component, wherein the emulsion is obtainable by emulsion polymerization using an anionic emulsifier and/or a reactive emulsifier, and emulsion particles have an average particle diameter of 100 to 450 nm, and an emulsion for vibration damping materials, comprising acrylic emulsion particles each having a core part and a shell part, wherein the acrylic emulsion particles are obtainable by polymerizing a monomer component including a monomer having a Q value of 0.6 to 1.4 and an e value of ?0.4 to ?1.2.

Abstract: The invention provides fabricated PVA-hydrogels, PVA-hydrogel-containing compositions, and methods of making the same. The invention also provides methods of implanting or administering the PVA-hydrogels, or the PVA-hydrogel-containing compositions to treat a subject in need. Methods of cross-linking pre-solidified or pre-gelled hydrogel particles and making cross-linked PVA-hydrogels, and cross-linked PVA-hydrogel-containing compositions also are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of hydrothermal hybrid material, in particular coal-like hybrid material from biomass. The process involves the heating of a reaction mixture comprising water, biomass and a copolymerizable compound, wherein the copolymerizable compound is added when preparing the reaction mixture, in a variant of the process, the biomass is converted to activated biomass in a first step, and the copolymerization of the activated biomass and a copolymerizable compound to give the hydrothermal, preferably coal-like, hybrid material is started by adding a polymerization initiator. The invention also relates to the hydrothermal hybrid materials obtainable by the processes as such, e.g. to aqueous dispersions thereof. By incorporating copolymerizable compounds, e.g. petrochemical compounds in the structure of the hydrothermal hybrid materials, the physical properties of the materials and the preparation process thereof can be controlled.

Abstract: A formaldehyde-free curable aqueous composition containing polyvinyl alcohol, a multi-functional crosslinking agent, and, optionally, a catalyst. The composition may be used as a binder for non-woven products such as fiberglass insulation. The non-woven products are formed by contacting the formaldehyde-free curable aqueous composition with fibrous components and the mixture is cured to form a rigid thermoset polymer providing excellent strength and water resistance of the cured nonwoven product.

Abstract: A process for preparing polymer dispersions stabilized by polyvinyl alcohol includes a step of emulsion polymerization. The polymerization occurs such that at least 60% of the total conversion occurs at a temperature from 100° C. to 140° C.

Abstract: Provided is a (meth)acrylic resin emulsion comprising, as a dispersant, a vinyl alcohol polymer having a degree of saponification of from 80 to 95 mol % and a degree of polymerization of from 400 to 2000 and, as a dispersoid, a polymer comprising at least one type of monomer units selected from acrylate monomer units and methacrylate monomer units, which has a “factor a” of at least 0.3 that indicates the particle size distribution width of the emulsion and of which the film formed at 20° C. to have a thickness of 500 ?m has a tensile strength of at least 100 kg/cm2. The emulsion is excellent in all its film strength, film transparency and mechanical stability and further in its alkali resistance.

Abstract: Multistage polymers predominantly stabilized by nonionic emulsifiers and derived from hard and soft monomer compositions containing vinyl esters, of which at least one monomer composition must contain an unsaturated compromisable organosilicon compound, are described. The plastic dispersions can be used as binders in emulsion paints and finishes and impart to these excellent scrub resistance in addition to good blocking resistance.

Abstract: A cryogel-forming vinyl alcohol co-polymer is operable to form a cryogel, i.e., a hydrogel formed by crytropic gelation, in an aqueous solution at a concentration of less than about 10% by weight, in the absence of a chemical cross-linking agent and in the absence of an emulsifier. In one embodiment, a vinyl alcohol co-polymer cryogel comprises at least about 75% by weight water and a vinyl alcohol co-polymer, wherein the vinyl alcohol co-polymer is operable to form a cryogel in an aqueous solution at a concentration of less than about 10% by weight, in the absence of a chemical cross-linking agent and in the absence of an emulsifier.

Abstract: Use of water redispersible polymer powders stabilized with a protective colloid as a thermoplastic binder for natural particulate materials allows thermoplastic processing such as extrusion, without formation of bubbles due to moisture present, and while maintaining physical properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogels having advantageous physical properties, and covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogel compositions made by such methods, as well as articles of manufacture comprising such covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogel compositions. The physical properties of the produced hydrogels can be adjusted by varying controlled parameters such as the proportion of physical associations, the concentration of polymer and the amount of radiation applied. Such covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogels can be made translucent, preferably transparent, or opaque depending on the processing conditions. The stability of the physical properties of the produced vinyl polymer hydrogel can be enhanced by controlling the amount of covalent crosslinks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of hydrothermal hybrid material, in particular coal-like hybrid material from biomass. The process involves the heating of a reaction mixture comprising water, biomass and a copolymerizable compound, wherein the copolymerizable compound is added when preparing the reaction mixture, in a variant of the process, the biomass is converted to activated biomass in a first step, and the copolymerization of the activated biomass and a copolymerizable compound to give the hydrothermal, preferably coal-like, hybrid material is started by adding a polymerization initiator. The invention also relates to the hydrothermal hybrid materials obtainable by the processes as such, e.g. to aqueous dispersions thereof. By incorporating copolymerizable compounds, e.g. petrochemical compounds in the structure of the hydrothermal hybrid materials, the physical properties of the materials and the preparation process thereof can be controlled.

Abstract: This invention is a substantially completely biodegradable high starch polymer using completely biodegradable high polymer polyvinyl alcohol [PVOH] that is made to be compatible with starch. The two ingredients are mixed with the optional addition of elasticity enhancer and supplement agent to better the stability and durability of the products. During the mixing and heating process the starch molecular structures are randomized. The randomized starch molecules, the PVOH, the elasticity enhancer and the supplement then under go the process of co-polymerization. The mixture is then extruded, at a temperature that is above the crystallization temperature of the starch molecules, to form the first stage product, the pellets. The pellets can then be extruded into films using a traditional plastic film extruder.

Abstract: There is disclosed a polyvinyl alcohol having a 1,2-glycol bond in a side chain, and a process for preparing the polyvinyl alcolnol wherein there is no generation of dimethyl carbonate hence no need of a process of eliminating dimethyl carbonate in the recovering process of waste liquid after hydrolysis. Also, even when an introduction amount of 1,2-glycol bonds is increased, there is no deterioration of solubility in a hydrolyzing solution (methanol) of a copolymer (paste) before hydrolysis. Further, water-insolubility is not lowered even in experiencing thermal history. Specifically, there is provided a polyvinyl alcohol having a 1,2-glycol bond in a side chain obtained by hydrolyzing a copolymer of a vinyl ester monomer and a compound shown in the formula (1) wherein the hydrolysis degree of the polyvinyl alcohol is at least 60% by mol.

Abstract: Novel waterborne adhesives comprising a crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent and acetaldehyde scavenger are useful in the manufacture of products exhibiting reduced acetaldehyde emission rates. Manufactured products having acetaldehyde emission rates of less than 9 ?g/m3 may be manufactured using the adhesive of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a water resistant molding material that can be stably manufactured while being excellent in water resistance after dried, and a producing method for the water resistant molding material. The water resistant molding material comprises a binder resin containing a polyvinyl alcohol resin, a viscosity control agent, water and a filler, wherein the concentration of acetate ions is adjusted in the range from 500 to 12,000 ppm by blending, for example, an acetate ion controlling agent (such as NH4NO3, NaOH and KCl).

Abstract: This invention provides an aqueous emulsion, which comprises a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin, as the dispersant, and a polymer comprising a structural unit derived from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, as the dispersoid, from which a film having excellent transparency can be obtained, and which is excellent in mechanical stability, chemical stability, freezing stability and storage stability, and a method for producing the same, and relates to an aqueous emulsion which has an average particle size of the dispersoid of from 100 to 450 ?m and an apparent grafting efficiency of the polyvinyl alcohol-based resin of from 65 to 75% based on the dispersoid, and a method for producing the same.

Abstract: A filler-containing an organic polymer dispersion is provided. The organic polymer of the dispersion is polymerized in the presence of particles of at least one filler. The ratio of the particle size of the filler particles to the particle size of the polymer particles is in the range of from 1.1:1 to 20:1.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide polymer compositions and methods for controlling a property of a resultant gel. A preferred method includes dissolving a vinyl polymer in a first solvent to form a solution; and contacting the vinyl polymer solution in a suitable volume of at least one immersion solvent comprising a second solvent to cause gelation. In preferred embodiments, the invention provides poly(vinyl alcohol) compositions and methods that produce physically crosslinked hydrogels that have tunable physical properties. Also provided are articles of manufacture such as prosthetic intervertebral disks and contact lenses.

Abstract: The preparation of vinyl ester homo- or copolymers by emulsion polymerization is described. The process is performed in the presence of a polymerization-retarding component in at least two phases, the concentration of the vinyl ester monomer in the polymerization mixture in the first phase having been depleted by not more than 50% at the end of the first phase compared to the concentration of the vinyl ester monomer in the polymerization mixture at the start of the first phase, and the concentration of the vinyl ester monomer in the polymerization mixture in the second phase being depleted compared to the concentration at the end of the first phase. The retarding component is depleted during the first phase. In the second phase, the heat of reaction is removed by evaporative cooling.

Abstract: A resin composition includes a polymer (A) mainly containing a structural unit represented by following Formula (1): wherein m represents an integer of 2 to 10; X1 and X2 are each hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group or a functional group that can be converted into a hydroxyl group, wherein at least one of X1 and X2 is hydroxyl group or a functional group that can be converted into hydroxyl group; R1, R2 and R3 are each hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, a functional group that can be converted into hydroxyl group, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group or a heteroaryl group, wherein the plural R1s may be the same as or different from each other; and a vinyl alcohol polymer (B).

Abstract: The present invention is a composition useful for coating the surface of paper wherein the coating composition is an aqueous solution comprising less than 40 wt % water and consisting essentially of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer that is at least about 95 % hydrolyzed, and a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition useful for coating the surface of paper wherein the coating composition is an aqueous solution comprising less than 40 wt % water and consisting essentially of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer that is at least about 95% hydrolyzed, and a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition useful for coating the surface of paper wherein the coating composition is an aqueous solution comprising less than 40 wt % water and consisting essentially of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer that is at least about 95% hydrolyzed, and a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: A film-forming composition for use in preparing water-soluble films that are rapidly dissolving under cold water conditions, the composition comprising a water soluble polymer material such as polyvinyl alcohol and a principal solvent, typically diol(s) or derivative of a diol. Films made from the film-forming compositions may be used to encapsulate a variety of compositions for subsequent release into an aqueous medium. Encapsulated compositions can include various laundry detergents and additives, fabric care compositions such as fabric softening compositions and dishwashing detergents among others. When used to encapsulate compositions, the solvent system used in the film-forming composition will have at least one common solvent material as the solvent system used in the encapsulated composition to improve film dissolution and to prevent problems associated with solvent migration.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition useful for coating the surface of paper wherein the coating composition is an aqueous solution comprising less than 40 wt % water and consisting essentially of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer that is at least about 95% hydrolyzed, and a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: A novel food coating substance comprising a plasticizer-free aqueous copolymer poly(vinyl ester) dispersion of emulsion polymer, emulsifier, protective colloid and optionally other stabilizers is outstandingly suitable for the surface treatment or surface coating of hard cheese or semi-hard cheese, but also of meat products, fruits, nuts or seed material.

Abstract: Polyvinyl-alcohol-stabilized redispersible powders which have plasticizing properties are obtained by drying polyvinyl-alcohol-stabilized aqueous dispersions of polymers of one or more monomers from the group of vinyl esters of optionally branched C1-18 alkylcarboxylic acids, (meth)acrylic esters of optionally branched C1-15 alcohols, dienes, olefins, vinylaromatics and vinylhalides, in the presence of a copolymer formed from a) one or more monomers from the group of ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and their anhydrides, each having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and salts thereof, b) one or more ethylenically unsaturated compounds containing sulfonic, sulfuric, and/or phosphonic acid groups, and salts thereof, and c) one or more monomers from the group consisting of vinyl esters of optionally branched C1-18 alkylcarboxylic acids and (meth)acrylic esters of optionally branched C1-15 alcohols.

Abstract: A method of preparing a plasticised particulate polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composition is provided, comprising: mixing, in a mixer, at a mixer speed and for a time sufficient that the mixture attains a temperature of at least 50° C.: particulate PVA resin in an amount from 80% to 90% by weight of the mixture; and plasticiser in an amount from 10% to 20% by weight of the mixture, wherein at least a portion of the plasticiser is water; monitoring the apparent viscosity of the mixture during mixing and continuing mixing until the apparent viscosity of the mixture has peaked to a maximum and dropped off to a substantially constant level, thereby to obtain a plasticised particulate mixture having a moisture content in the range from 7% to 14%; preferably adding an anti-caking agent in an amount from 0.05% to 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screen printable hydrogel composition comprising: (a) soluble or partially soluble polymer wherein said polymer is a copolymer, interpolymer or mixture thereof; (b) initiation system; (c) thickener; (d) water; and (e) solvent; with the proviso that the composition has a viscosity of greater than about 10 Pa·s.

Abstract: An adhesive, comprising (A) a polymeric MDI, (B) modified polyvinyl acetate emulsion, (C) aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solution, and (D) a filler. Preferably, a mass ratio of A:B:C:D is 30:(60–160):(50–160):(10–140) provided that the aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solution (C) is in a concentration of 10% by mass.

Abstract: To provide an aqueous emulsion composition which has high adhesion strength for a wide variety of materials including molded products and affords sufficient wettability even for the object to be adhesive bonded of low surface polarity so that it can develop sufficient adhesiveness and whose emulsion is stable so satisfactorily as to provide good mechanical stability and storage stability, and to provide an adherent composition comprising the aqueous emulsion composition, at least ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or modified resin thereof, photo polymerization initiator, and unsaturated ethylenic monomer are mixed and dissolved or dispersed, to prepare oil drop component, followed by emulsifying the oil drop component in water by using a surface-active agent, whereby an aqueous emulsion composition, in which micelles each encapsulating at least the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or modified resin thereof, the photo polymerization initiator and unsaturated ethylenic monomer are dispersed in water, is prepared

Abstract: These objects and others may be accomplished with the present invention, the first embodiment of which provides an oil-in-water nanoemulsion, which includes: an oily phase dispersed in an aqueous phase; (i) at least one amphiphilic lipid selected from the group including nonionic amphiphilic lipids, anionic amphiphilic lipids, and combinations thereof; and (ii) at least one water-soluble nonionic polymer selected from the group including homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene oxide; polyvinyl alcohols; homopolymers and copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone; homopolymers and copolymers of vinylcaprolactam; homopolymers and copolymers of polyvinyl methyl ether; neutral acrylic homopolymers and copolymers; C1–C2 alkyl celluloses and their derivatives; C1–C3 alkyl guar; C1–C3 hydroxyalkyl guar; and combinations thereof; wherein a ratio of the weight of the oily phase to the weight of the amphiphilic lipid (i) ranges from 1.

Abstract: A film-forming composition for use in preparing water-soluble films that are rapidly dissolving under cold water conditions, the composition comprising a water soluble polymer material such as polyvinyl alcohol and a principal solvent, typically diol(s) or derivative of a diol. Films made from the film-forming compositions may be used to encapsulate a variety of compositions for subsequent release into an aqueous medium. Encapsulated compositions can include various laundry detergents and additives, fabric care compositions such as fabric softening compositions and dishwashing detergents among others. When used to encapsulate compositions, the solvent system used in the film-forming composition will have at least one common solvent material as the solvent system used in the encapsulated composition to improve film dissolution and to prevent problems associated with solvent migration.

Abstract: The use and preparation of poly(vinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-co-vinylalcohol (PVA)) as inkjet recording material, the method of making PVP/PVA copolymer comprising the steps of: hydrolyzing PVP/polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) copolymer with a mixture comprising water, at least one alcohol and at least one strong base.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of nanoparticles for the encapsulation of active constituents, the nanocapsules prepared being dispersible in aqueous phase in colloidal form, non-toxic, biocompatible, stable in colloidal suspension and economical. In the process, two non-oily solvents as used, together with a third, oily solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of aqueous copolymer poly(vinyl ester) dispersions which comprise cellulose ethers in an amount up to a maximum of 0.45% by weight in food-coating compositions, and also food-coating compositions which comprise these aqueous copolymer poly(vinyl ester) dispersions, and their use in the coating of food, especially in the production of hard cheese.

Abstract: The invention relates to new rewettable adhesive systems containing colloidal dispersion mixtures obtained by copolymerization of at least one water-soluble monomer with at least one non-water-soluble comonomer in the presence of a micelle-forming emulsifier. The invention also relates to the use of the new adhesive systems.

Abstract: Provided is a polyvinyl ester resin emulsion which has high viscosity and has good water resistant adhesiveness, heat-resistant adhesiveness, hot water-resistant adhesiveness and storage stability, especially high-temperature storage stability, and which has good film-forming ability and is readily formed into transparent films. The emulsion is produced in a method of polymerizing a vinyl ester monomer in a mode of emulsion polymerization in the presence of a polyvinyl alcohol serving as protective colloid and in the presence of a water-insoluble, hydroxyl group-containing compound.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the formation of photonic polymer-blend structures having tunable optical and mechanical properties. The photonic polymer-blend structures comprise monomer units of spherical microparticles of a polymer-blend material wherein the spherical microparticles have surfaces partially merged with one another in a robust inter-particle bond having a tunable inter-particle separation or bond length sequentially attached in a desired and programmable architecture. The photonic polymer-blend structures of the present invention can be linked by several hundred individual particles sequentially linked to form complex three-dimensional structures or highly ordered two-dimensional arrays of 3D columns with 2D spacing.

Abstract: Protective-colloid-stabilized polymers in the form of their aqueous dispersions or of their water-redispersible powders are based on homo- or copolymers of one or more monomers from the group consisting of vinyl esters of optionally branched alkyl carboxylic acids having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms, (meth)acrylic esters of alcohols having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms, vinylaromatics, olefins, dienes, and vinyl halides, wherein partially hydrolyzed vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymers with an ethylene content of from 1 to 15 mol %, a degree of hydrolysis DH of the vinyl acetate units of 80 mol %<DH<95 mol %, and a Höppler viscosity in 4% by weight aqueous solution of from 2 to 30 mPas, are present as protective colloids.

Abstract: Polyvinylacetal-grafted polymers in the form of their aqueous dispersions or water-redispersible powders, and based on emulsion or suspension polymerized base polymers of one or more monomers from the group consisting of vinyl esters, (meth)acrylates, vinylaromatics, olefins, 1,3-dienes and vinyl halides, and optionally, further monomers copolymerizable therewith, the base polymers grafted with polyvinylacetals having from 0 to 5.0 mol % of vinyl acetate units, from 75 to 95 mol % of vinyl alcohol units and from 0.1 to 20 mol % of acetal units which are derived from aldehydes having 3 to 7 C atoms, are useful as additives in construction compositions, as binders, and as adhesives, and may be dried to form readily water-redispersible polymer powders.

Abstract: A method and composition for the encapsulation of hydrophilic molecules in submicron particles is disclosed. The particles are composed of a water-in-oil microemulsion surrounded by one or more biocompatible polymers.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing an aqueous biodegradable polyester dispersion and includes the step of mixing and kneading a molten biodegradable polyester, an aqueous emulsifier solution having a surface tension in terms of 1.0% by weight aqueous solution at 20° C. of 63 mN/m or less, and other additives according to necessity to yield an aqueous dispersion having a solid concentration of 40% by weight or more and a viscosity at 20° C. of 1000 mPa·s or more. The invention can provide a method for producing an aqueous biodegradable polyester dispersion that has a high solid concentration and a high viscosity and is very advantageous in practical use.

Abstract: Building materials containing copolymers derived from vinyl ester, (meth)acrylic ester and optionally ethylene comonomers, stabilized with a polyvinylalcohol protective colloid, as their aqueous dispersions or as redispersible polymer powders which are redispersible in water, exhibit improved processing properties and set properties. The copolymers are obtained by emulsion or suspension copolymerization in an at least two step process wherein a) the vinyl ester component is polymerized, optionally with ethylene and further copolymerizable comonomers, to a conversion of from 90 to 100% by weight in a first step, and b) the ester(s) of (meth)acrylic acid are subsequently added and polymerized in a second step. The copolymer dispersion obtained may be dried to form a redispersible copolymer powder.