Water-soluble polymers, which perform various useful functions such as thickening, gelling, flocculating, rheology modifying and stabilizing in any given application, are used for a wide variety of applications including food processing, water treatment etc. Water-soluble polymers can be categorized into the following three groups:

1)     Synthetic polymers

2)     Semisynthetic polymers

3)     Natural, including microbial polymers

Water-soluble polymers are used primarily to disperse, suspend (thicken and gel), or stabilize particulate matter. The functions of water soluble polymers are Binding, Coagulating, Dispersing, suspending, stabilizing, Flocculating, Lubrication and friction reduction, Thickening, gelling, Film forming. Water Soluble Polymers from Dow have provided a wide range of functionalities and benefits to a variety of applications. Dow's Water Soluble Polymers are easy to work with, and are often used as thickeners, stabilizers, film formers, rheology modifiers, emulsifiers, lubricity aids and conditioners. The water based polymers are quick drying non inflammable, having mild odor and more environmentally acceptability than any other polymers. Most conventional coating polymers at present can be produced in a form that will allow them to be solubilized in water.

The water soluble polymers market encompasses several categories, including starch, cellulose ethers, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol and other synthetic water soluble polymers.

Synthetic polymers are human-made polymers. From the utility point of view they can be classified into four main categories: thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers and synthetic fibers. Some familiar house-hold synthetic polymers include Nylons in textiles and fabrics. The plastic kits and covers are mostly made of synthetic polymers like polythene and tires are manufactured from Buna rubbers.

Semi synthetic polymers are mostly derived from naturally occurring polymers by chemical modifications. Types of semi synthetic polymers are Elastomers, Thermosets and thermoplastics, fibers, plastics, coatings, adhesives, films and sheeting’s, sealants and caulks etc.

Polymers used in water treatment formulations are usually anionic and have molecular weight ranging from 500 to 20,000 Daltons. In detergents use of polymers as builders is prevalent.

The polymers obtained from nature are called natural polymers. Natural polymers include the RNA and DNA that are so important in genes and life processes. In fact, messenger RNA is what makes possible proteins, peptides, and enzymes.

Continued growth in water-soluble polymers is expected during 2012–2017. In general, demand for water-soluble polymers is growing at rates near or slightly higher than the gross domestic product (GDP). The analysts forecast the Global Water Soluble Polymers market will grow at a CAGR of 4.95 percent over the period 2013-2018. Global water soluble market is anticipated to reach USD 29.63 billion by 2019. The industry is expected to expand at a rapid pace due to the increasing application of water soluble polymers in water treatment.

Polystyrene, a byproduct of polymers has a ` 435 crore market size. Its market price was around ` 42.5 per kg. This segment has been growing at the rate of 15% yearly. The share of polymers in the product mix in India for various crackers ranges from 60% to 90%.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Complete Book on Water Soluble Polymers describes the detailed information on the subject. The major contents of this book are- water-soluble polymers, water-reducible resins, poly (ethylene oxide), methods of polymerization, chemical modifications, fabrication of water soluble polymers, role of polymers in the stabilization of disperse systems, thermo reversible gelation, medical and pharmaceutical applications etc.

In order to get “The Complete Book on Water Soluble Polymers” please visit-

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