Title: FAST WATER-ABSORBING MATERIAL HAVING A COATING OF ELASTIC FILM-FORMING POLYURETHANE WITH HIGH WICKING

 Numbers/Links: WO2012/164017 & WO2012/164018 (BASF), WO2012/166787 & WO2012/166831 (P&G)

Applicant/Assignee: BASF and Procter & Gamble

Publication date:  all on 6-12-2012

“Gist”: An aqueous composition containing polyurethane and fumed silica is applied to superabsobent polymer (“SAP”) particles followed by heat treatment.

Why it is interesting: The coated superabsorbent particles show improved wicking and swelling behaviour, also under pressure, allowing for the production of thinner diapers. Apparently BASF and P&G cooperated on this invention but filed their own patents: BASF claims the process for the production of the particles, P&G claims the actual articles and “absorbent structures” containing them.