A Readily Biodegradable Alternative to Microplastic Opacifiers

The personal and home care market is under continual development and raw material manufacturers need to develop new products to anticipate new consumer needs and regulation evolutions. Hygiene and care products are an integral part of our daily lives, and unfortunately the same goes for plastics. It is present in large quantities in cosmetics and home care products, mostly in the form of synthetic polymers that are used for instance for exfoliation, opacification or rheology modification. However, in recent years, the use of plastics and especially microplastics is at the heart of many controversies and debates due to their impact on the environment and health. It is required to find some alternatives. In this context, Solvay has developed a naturally-derived biodegradable opacifying agent to replace the existing solution based on Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer.