Evonik launches granulated carbomer for personal care
In personal care, Carbomers acts as stabilizers or thickeners in gels, emulsions or surfactant based applications.
Dr. Sascha Herrwerth, technical manager, consumer specialties at Evonik told CosmeticsDesign.com USA that a typical application for the carbomer would be a hair gel.
“The granulate is dissolved in water and neutralized, then you get a gel,” she explained.
Granulated carbomer based on class three solvents
According to Evonik, Tego Carbomer 140 G is the first carbomer on the market to be based on n-heptane and ethyl acetate; which are class three solvents.
Class three solvents are less harmful as they are considered of low toxic potential to humans and do not require a health-based exposure limit, according Dr Herrwerth.
“Our standard powder grades are born in hexane. Other typical solvents used by our competition are cyclohexane or even chlorinated or aromatic solvents [which are not class three],” she said.
Advantages over standard powder carbomers
According to the company, Tego Carbomer 140 G offers many benefits in comparison to standard powder types, although the price of the granulated version is at the same level as that of the powder versions, said Herrwerth.
“It causes low dusting and offers a high flow ability. The bulk density is 3.5 times higher compared to powder types, which leads to a reduced shipping volume,” said Herrwerth.
According to Evonik, it is also easier to disperse and easier to handle than standard powers, can be used over a wide pH range and is both water and alcohol soluble.
It is particularly recommended for use in the preparation of clear water or alcohol-based gels, in the manufacturing of emulsions with high viscosity, and for the preparation of lotions, creams and suspensions.
