Berol® HD cleaner was formally introduced by AkzoNobel at the 2010 American Oil Chemists Society’s Annual Meeting & Expo, held in Phoenix, Arizona (May 16-19).

Berol® HD cleaner removes tar and bugs from automobiles as efficiently as a high-VOC petrochemical solvent. It is especially effective at removing greasy soils as challenging as asphalt film, leaving a “squeaky clean” surface devoid of the oily residue typically left by petrochemical solvents.For more information about the low-VOC, heavy-duty cleaning power made possible with Berol® HD, please contact Linda Terwilliger at Linda.Terwilliger@akzonobel.com. For samples or assistance, please contact your local AkzoNobel sales representative or the Akzo Nobel Customer Service Department at: AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry LLC, 525 W. Van Buren Street, Chicago, IL 60607-3823; or phone: (800) 906-9977. Or visit: www.surfactants.akzonobel.com.

AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry recently welcomed eighteen students on a study tour from Radboud University, Netherlands to our Bridgewater laboratory facilities. The purpose of the tour (an optional part of the university’s Masters program), was to familiarize students with international career possibilities by visiting universities, institutes and industries in and around Boston and New York, and to learn about the culture of the United States. The students organize the tour and select a different country each year.

With a hospital, life sciences institute and science faculty, Radboud University specializes in integrative learning, combining multiple disciplines to create a student’s Masters and Ph.D. program. “Fields are moving too quickly to focus on just one discipline.” commented Professor Gert Vriend. “Scientists need to be able to collaborate beyond a narrow specialty”. Everyone receives a foundation in mathematics and philosophy, and their program is further built up from a variety of courses. Examples include biostatistics, material science, chemistry, biology and bioinformatics.

Dr. Pat Siuta-Cruce, Department Manager for Business Unit Research, welcomed the students and provided an orientation. A company overview, introduction to the Surface Chemistry business and innovation process was given by Dr. Dale Steichen, Vice President R&D. The students engaged in seminars and laboratory tours for the afternoon, getting a first-hand look at how technologies and applications are developed, tested and brought to the marketplace. Customer collaboration and eco-premium solutions were high on the Agenda. Dr. Vriend reflected at day’s end: “What struck me was the incredible love for the work of the people who do the work and how much they enjoy what they’re doing.”

We were proud to host our talented guests from Radboud University and wish them well in their further studies and future endeavors.

AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry develops processes for direct flotation of apatite from complex apatite ores containing dolomite, calcite and silica. The design of the collector systems can be adapted to different types of requirements like ore type, particle size distribution, regulating additives, quality of process water, etc. Direct flotation of apatite using the ANSC technology is today globally applied to improve process effectiveness and concentrate quality.

Now AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry has developed alternatives to the presently used process at the Jhamarkotra mine and concentrator in Rajasthan, India. The aim is to evaluate if a uniform direct apatite flotation flow-sheet for both the primary and secondary ore types is a possible alternative to the presently used reversed bulk flotation process for the complex primary ore type.

Amphoteric collectors for the primary ore type, and anionic collectors for the secondary, float apatite directly without de-sliming in slightly alkaline waters, producing high-grade apatite concentrates with relatively low MgO and SiO2 content. Blends of the concentrates of the primary and secondary ores have interesting potentials.

DynamX® polymer (INCI: Polyurethane-14 (and) AMP-Acrylates Copolymer) is a urethane film-forming polymer developed to provide flexible, durable hold with memory performance from a variety of styling aids. On hair, this polymer provides high gloss, curl definition and anti-frizz properties. It supports hairstyles that can maintain a flexible look with natural feel and motion throughout an active day.

AMPHOMER® polymer (INCI: Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer) is an exceptionally hard-holding acrylate copolymer and excellent film former that provides outstanding stiffness and high-humidity style and curl retention. Compatible with different propellants, it can be used in both anhydrous and alcohol-free spray systems.

Tests involving DynamX® polymer, AMPHOMER® polymer and a leading available urethane polymer and acrylates copolymer were conducted by AkzoNobel to determine each polymer’s response to heat when sprayed on human hair. Heat was applied to hair tresses treated with the appropriate polymer formulation via a standard flat iron set at the highest setting (410°F). Subsequent wetting force analysis of individual hair fibers from each tress, corroborated by SEM image analysis, demonstrated that AMPHOMER® polymer provides optimal protection of hair cuticles from flat ironing and DynamX® polymer provides superior thermal protection where polyurethane technology is beneficial, e.g., in more flexible hold systems.

Both AkzoNobel polymers work in a wide variety of styling aids, including hairsprays (both aerosol and non-aerosol), gels, mousses, lotions, and pomades.

For more information on the thermal protection capabilities provided by AkzoNobel polymers, please contact Maria Tolchinsky, Global Marketing Manager, Polymers, at maria.tolchinsky@akzonobel.com. Or visit www.akzonobel.com/personalcare.

AMPHOMER® and DynamX® are trademarks registered in the U.S.P.T.O. and owned by AkzoNobel.

“The Agro team did a good job of defining what success would look like at the outset of the project. Given these goals, it was relatively easy to design a series of polymers that were potential solutions to the problem at hand. Mark Alexander was very good at evaluating these polymers and giving us valuable feedback in a timely manner. This allowed us to hone in on the right polymer candidate and then optimize the chemistry in a relatively short amount of time. We played to our individual strengths – the applications and market knowledge of Mark and the Agro team and the polymer expertise of the Chattanooga team. “– Klin Rodrigues, Scientist, Polymer PPR.Having an Agro market-focused need for new formulation dispersants and stabilizers, these teams collaborated with excitement on this opportunity for innovation. The Specialty Polymers research team in Chattanooga synthesized new monomer combinations and molecular-weight variations for the Fort Worth Powder Technology Lab to evaluate in functional compositions (water-dispersible granules of generic herbicides).In good empirical scientific practice, hundreds of test formulations were prepared and then evaluated for performance attributes as a function of the experimental polymer samples. Competitor and standard ANSC products were used to benchmark the formulation improvement process. The Technical Managers of the respective areas (Dr. Shuaib Khan of AGRO and Dr. Allen Carrier of Polymer Synthesis) must also be credited for their team’s ability to work ‘out of the box’ without constricting the collaboration.As the research progressed, we began to develop a more fundamental understanding of how particular monomer components could affect the processability and performance of a WDG formulation. Even better was that the depth of polymer knowledge allowed a synthesis move into uncharted compositions, free from prior intellectual property. Here, dramatic performance improvements were discovered and finessed into an optimal polymer composition as a dispersant/stabilizer for such Agro formulations.

We were able to develop a structural-performance relationship for polymeric dispersants and the active ingredients we were testing. That allowed us to develop a new dispersant that works as well as, and in many cases better than, products currently in the market. We were also able to file a composition of matter and application patent on the new polymer.”- Mark Alexander, Senior Research Chemist, AGRO Applications.Today, we are finalizing the synthesis process and product specifications as the product launch is progressing for the Agrilan® 789 Polymeric Stabilizer. A provisional patent has been filed. Early customer evaluations are all positive and we have already learned of unexpected performance attributes that may bring even more opportunity for this new proprietary polymeric stabilizer. The product was launched in Asia earlier this year. The Americas launch is first quarter 2010.Jim HazenGlobal Development ManagerAgro Applications

Formulations are important in Surface Chemistry Research & Development. All of our surfactants are used in formulations. This can be in industrial formulations as well as in final consumer formulations. The properties of these formulated surfactants are crucial for supporting our customers, new product developments and for protecting our portfolio of products.

The robot has the name PLATO which stands for Platform for Accelerated Throughput toward Opportunities.

Preparing and analyzing formulations is very time consuming. Quite often the number of formulations that can be prepared and studied are limited due to overall time constrains. Akzo Nobel Chemicals recently bought a High Throughput Formulation & Screening Robot. This new piece of equipment will support us with the tedious formulation work.

It is now possible to prepare and screen 100-400 samples a day. The throughput is dependent on the number of steps that needs to be taken for preparing and evaluating samples. The robot is able to dose and mix various ingredients in several ways. The focus right now is very much on handling liquids. Besides preparing formulations there are also screening options like phase behavior at various temperatures, viscosities and dynamic surface tensions.

The equipment is installed in the Akzo Nobel Research Development & Innovation (RD&I) Laboratories in Deventer, The Netherlands.

As part of the LOTE program, Julia and eleven other employees of AkzoNobel embarked on Robert Swan’s Inspire Antarctic Expedition. The focus of the expedition was leadership by example, specifically as it relates to having a positive impact on the environment.

Even in the most remote corner of the world, the effect of mankind on the world can be seen, as the expedition’s first task was to help clean up the Bellinghausen research station. Working non-stop, the team learned about sustainability, defined by Gro Harlem Brundtland as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”

Upon her return from the expedition, Julia was one of several people charged with the formidable task of helping the Personal Care division of AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry lead the way to a more sustainable future.

For her project, named CO₂ntrol, Julia has been working to determine the carbon footprint of the company and its employees and has begun to formulate a proposal for reducing waste and wasted energy.

Julia’s current target is company travel. Using trains instead of airplanes, switching to hybrid company cars and encouraging employees to use public transportation are just a few of the ways the division may be able to reduce its overall CO2 emissions.

In addition to her normal workload, Julia continues to visit AkzoNobel sites to give talks on what she has learned from LOTE and Robert Swan’s expedition, hoping to recruit “change agents”, or people who will help spread the word on sustainability with the same enthusiasm.

For more information, please visit the following:
AkzoNobel’s Mission Antarctica website:
http://missionantarctica.akzonobel.com/
Julia’s blog:
http://julia-ivanov.blogspot.com/
Robert Swan’s organization 2041:
http://expedition.2041.com/2009/

Higher quality requirements on fibres, films, casings and other products produced through the viscose rayon process technology result in increased demands on surfactants used in processing. Although a relatively mature market globally this industry is expanding in Asia and there is still a need for development driven by the requirements of better process economy.

AkzoNobel’s Viscose Process Additives represented by their well-known product brands Berol, Visco and Berol Spin are still market leaders:

Berol Visco 388 is the most effective Reactivity Additive
Berol Visco 32, 44, 315 and 641 are commonly used for Improved Spinnability (IS)
Berol Spin 637, 652, 653 and 668 are improving Spinnability from the spin bath side

Fibres with higher strengths, so called Improved Tenacity (IT) and High Wet Modulus (HWM) fibres, need Modifiers for their manufacturing. AkzoNobel’s Modifiers are surfactants and are also well established in the market.

Anders Cassel is working as a R&D specialist in Performance Applications, Stenungsund, Sweden.

Scientists refer to the Pearl Necklace model of polymer-surfactant interactions in which surfactant micelle pearls associate with polymer chains to change surface tension and rheology. Our explorations include these effects as well as physical form modification, emulsification, suspension, delivery of actives, rheology control, and encapsulation.

Our building blocks include hundreds of types of surfactants and polymers based on renewable and petrochemical raw materials, with biopolymer chemistry strengthened by our alliance with National Starch. By properly selecting the starch base—be it corn, tapioca, or potato—and adjusting its molecular weight and side chains, the resulting polymer can be used to encapsulate, clean, or emulsify. With so many combinations to consider, the team employs a PLATO formulation robot to screen combinations and look for unanticipated synergies.

Turning a gooey, sticky alkylpolyglucoside into a free flowing powder always gets our customers to take notice. And like our customers, we dream of the opportunities these new combinations represent and we are excited to be able to offer a broader range of functional products to help them create the very best formulations.

This 1600 square-foot R&D spray drying facility was constructed to support product development of industrial grade biopolymers, synthetic polymers and a broad range of active materials while increasing speed to market for our customers. Operation of this facility is governed by a focus on safety while delivering the highest level of product quality. We are committed to challenging our processing creativity, proving the efficacy of spray drying as an economical processing solution for our customers. The facility is operated with a single-pass tempered air supply, incineration of exhaust gasses, explosion suppression on the dryers, and clean-in-place cleaning equipment.

Two newly purchased research spray dryers, one with evaporative capacity between 1 – 7 kg/hr and the other between 5 – 40 kg/hr have been installed and are operational in our Bridgewater, New Jersey campus. The facility support equipment and process capabilities are well-suited for processing a wide range of biopolymers, synthetic polymers and difficult-to-handle active materials. The facility is supported by a team of biopolymer and synthetic polymer experts, with many years experience in polymer processing and encapsulation. The primary focus of the facility is on projects within the Surface Chemistry business unit but as seen already, news is spreading within all of AkzoNobel quickly.

If you want to learn more about the processing capabilities surrounding this new, state-of-the-art R&D Polymer Processing Facility, call Senior Research Engineer, Kurt Heidemann at 908-685-7459 or e-mail at kurt.heidemann@akzonobel.com.