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Synthetic water-soluble polymers are organic substances that dissolve, disperse or swell in water and, thus, modify the physical properties of aqueous systems in the form of gellation, thickening or emulsification/stabilization. These polymers usually have repeating units or blocks of units; the polymer chains contain hydrophilic groups that are substituents or are incorporated into the backbone. The hydrophilic groups may be nonionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric.
World consumption of synthetic water-soluble polymers was valued at more than $7 billion in 2006. The United States, Western Europe and China accounted for 73% of world consumption in 2006 on a volume basis. The following pie chart shows world consumption on a volume basis by polymer:
In general, environmental regulations concerning drinking water purity and wastewater discharge stimulate the use of synthetic water-soluble polymers. Polyacrylamides, polyamines and quaternary ammonium polymers are used as flocculants, coagulants and precipitants to remove suspended pollutants from industrial and municipal wastewaters and for drinking water treatment. In turn, synthetic water-soluble polymers are subject to local, state and federal regulations that limit their discharge into the environment.
The nature and extent of the impact of these environmental restrictions on the synthetic water-soluble polymers industry vary greatly not only by nation but also within individual nations. This is particularly true in the United States, where a complex of federal, state and local government bodies have (largely) independent authority over such issues.
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