Published April 1979
This report reviews technical information, economics, and market status of synthetic water-soluble resins, which are widely used in various chemical processes and formulations. Major applications are polymerization (suspension agents); water treatment; mineral flotation; oil drilling; food processing; textile (or paper) sizing, finishing, and printing; and the manufacture of detergent and laundry products, cosmetics, and adhesives.
Detailed analyses include the evaluation of various processes for manufacturing the water-soluble resins, including cellulose ethers, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylic acid and its sodium salt, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, and polyethylenimine.
Other synthetic water-soluble resins such as starch derivatives; modified polyesters, which are mostly used in water-based surface coatings; polyvinyl alcohol; and polyacrylamide are not included, The Latter two polymers are presented in other reports of the Process Economics Program.
