Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a process of preparing a solid composition comprising aminopolycarboxylate. The invention further relates to the solid composition obtained by said process and to detergent products containing said solid composition.

Background of the invention

Detergent products typically contain several different active components, including builders, surfactants, enzymes and bleaching agents. Surfactants are employed to remove stains and soil and to disperse the released components into the cleaning liquid. Enzymes help to remove stubborn stains of proteins, starch and lipids by hydrolyzing these components. Bleach is used to remove stains by oxidizing the components that make up these stains. In order to reduce the negative effects of in particular calcium and magnesium ions on stain/soil removal so called 'builders' (complexing agents) are commonly applied in detergent products.

Phosphorous based builders have been used for many years in a wide variety of detergent products. Some of the phosphorus based builders, such as trisodium phosphate and sodium tripolyphospate (STPP), have set a benchmark in the

dishwasher detergent industry as having excellent performance. As such, phosphorus containing builder components are generally considered to be "high-performance" builders. The use of phosphorous based builders in detergent products has led to environmental problems such as eutrophication. To curtail such problems many jurisdictions have, or are in the process of, issuing laws and regulations to restrict the maximum amount of phosphorous in detergent products. As such there has been a need for more environmentally friendly alternative builders, which have on-par effectiveness and which are also cost-effective. Examples of such alternative builders are aminopolycarboxylates, such as glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA),

methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). A drawback of many of such aminopolycarboxylates is that they tend to be hygroscopic.

WO 2014/086662 discloses a process of producing a solid GLDA composition comprising the consecutive steps of:

• combining a GLDA sodium salt and sulfuric acid in a high water activity phase; and • allowing water to evaporate from said phase to produce a precipitate.

The examples of this international application describe the preparation of a solid GLDA composition by drying an aqueous solution containing GLDA, sulfuric acid, sodium sulfate and water by prilling a homogenized mix of the ingredients in a heated frying pan at two temperatures (120 degrees for 15 minutes, or 70 degrees Celsius for 60 minutes) while making sure that the prils do not exceed 0.5 cm in diameter.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a process for the provision of a solid composition comprising aminopolycarboxylate and one or more water-soluble components other than aminopolycarboxylate, which allows for greater manufacturing and transportation flexibility.

It would be desirable to have available detergent products comprising solid

aminopolycarboxylate that provide one or more important product benefits, such as attractive appearance, improved stability and improved dissolution/dispersion properties.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a detergent product containing aminopolycarboxylate that provides such benefits.

Summary of the invention

One or more of the above objectives are achieved, in a first aspect of the invention, by a process of preparing a solid composition comprising aminopolycarboxylate; one or more water-soluble components other than aminopolycarboxylate; and water, said process comprising the steps of:

• providing an aqueous solution of the aminopolycarboxylate and the one or more water-soluble components, said aqueous solution comprising:

5 to 45 wt. % free acid equivalent of aminopolycarboxylate;

2 to 40 wt. % of one or more water-soluble components;

at least 35 wt. % water;

• removing water from the aqueous solution by evaporation at a temperature of at least 50°C to produce a liquid desiccated mixture having a water content of not more than 30 wt. %; and

• reducing the temperature of the desiccated mixture to less than 25°C to obtain the solid composition. It was unexpectedly discovered that a solid composition containing aminopolycarboxylate, one or more water-soluble components and water can be prepared from an aqueous solution containing aminopolycarboxylate, one or more water-soluble components and at least 35 wt. % water, by reducing the water content of the solution to 30 wt. % or less whilst keeping the liquid at a temperature of at least 50°C, followed by simple cooling of the liquid desiccated mixture. The inventors have found that the liquid desiccated mixture that is formed by reducing the water content of the solution to 30 wt. % or less at elevated temperature is a viscous liquid that is pumpable and that can suitably be processed in various ways. This viscous liquid can be converted into an amorphous or non-amorphous solid by simple cooling.

The present process offers the advantage that it can easily be operated at factory scale and enables the production of the solid composition in the form of (shaped) pieces. Furthermore, the process can be used to coat a solid substrate with the solid composition by coating the substrate with the hot liquid desiccated mixture and allowing the hot mixture to cool down.

The present process can be used to prepare a solid composition in amorphous form. Such amorphous solid compositions offer the advantage that they can be translucent (even transparent) and glossy. Very attractive detergent products can be produced by incorporating such a translucent/transparent solid composition in the product as a visible element.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a solid composition obtained by a process according to the invention.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a detergent product comprising the solid composition obtained by the process according to the invention in an amount of from 1 to 90 wt. %

Detailed description

Definitions

Weight percentage (wt. %) is based on the total weight of the aqueous solution or of the solid composition or of the detergent product, unless otherwise stated. It will be appreciated that the total weight amount of ingredients will not exceed 100 wt. %.

Whenever an amount or concentration of a component is quantified herein, unless indicated otherwise, the quantified amount or quantified concentration relates to said component per se, even though it may be common practice to add such a component in the form of a solution or of a blend with one or more other ingredients. It is furthermore to be understood that the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations is used in its non- limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. Finally, reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements. The indefinite article "a" or "an" thus usually means "at least one". Unless otherwise specified all measurements are taken at standard conditions.

Whenever a parameter, such as a concentration or a ratio, is said to be less than a certain upper limit it should be understood that in the absence of a specified lower limit the lower limit for said parameter is 0.

The term‘aminopolycarboxylate’ includes its partial and full acids unless otherwise specified. The salts, rather than the full acids, of the aminopolycarboxylates are more preferred, and particularly preferred are the alkali salts thereof. The term‘acid’ includes partial or full alkali salts thereof unless otherwise specified.

In case the water-soluble component is a water-soluble acid, the recited concentrations relate to the concentration expressed as free acid equivalent.

Concentrations expressed in wt. % of‘free acid equivalent’ refer to the concentration of an aminopolycarboxylate or an acid expressed as wt. %, assuming that the

aminopolycarboxylate of acid is exclusively present in fully protonated from. The following table shows how the free acid equivalent concentrations can be calculated for some (anhydrous) aminopolycarboxylates and (anhydrous) acid salts.

The term‘translucency’ as used herein refers to the ability of light in the visible spectrum to pass through the solid composition, at least in part. To quantify, preferably it is evaluated based on a path-length of 0.5 cm through the solid composition, measuring the amount of light passing through. The solid composition of the invention is deemed to be translucent if under the aforementioned measurement within the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm it has a maximum Transmittance of at least 5% The solid phase is deemed to be transparent if within the aforementioned wavelength range it has a maximum Transmittance of at least 20%. Here the Transmittance is defined as the ratio between the light intensity measured after the light has passed through the sample of solid phase and the light intensity measured when the sample has been removed.

Process of preparing a solid composition

The first step (i.e. Step I.) of the process according to the invention is to provide an aqueous solution comprising:

a) aminopolycarboxylate;

b) one or more water-soluble components; and

c) water.

The combining of the ingredients in Step I. can be done in any order. Preferably, the amount of water is sufficient to fully dissolve the ingredients a) and b) at boiling temperature. Both the aminopolycarboxylate and the water-soluble components may be added as separate pre-made aqueous solutions, which is preferred to further simplify processing. Addition of extra water and/or application of heat may be required to fully dissolve the ingredients asprecipitate may form, for instance, when

aminopolycarboxylate is combined with acid.

Heat may be applied in the preparation of the aqueous solution to (more quickly) dissolve the ingredients a) and b). Applying heat is preferred as it not only reduces the time to dissolve the ingredients a) and b), it also reduces the amount of water needed to provide the solution. Having less water in the aqueous solution can reduce the time and energy required for completing Step II. of the process. Preferably, in Step I. the aqueous solution is provided having a temperature of at least 50, more preferably of at least 70 and even more preferably of at least 90 degrees Celsius and most preferably at least 100 degrees Celsius.

Preferably, the aqueous solution has a dry matter content of 10 to 65 wt. %, more preferably 15 to 60 wt. %, even more preferably 20 to 55 wt. %. In the second step of the process (i.e. Step II.) water is removed from the aqueous solution provided at Step I. by evaporation at a temperature of at least 50 degrees Celsius. Preferably, water is removed from the aqueous solution at a temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius, more preferably at least 80 degrees Celsius, even more preferably at least 95 degrees Celsius and most preferably at least 99 degrees Celsius.

The amount of water removed in step II is preferably sufficient to obtain a liquid desiccated mixture having a water content of 2 to 30 wt. %, more preferably of 5 to 25 wt. %, even more preferably of 6 to 22 wt. %, most preferably of 7 to 20 wt. %.

The water removal in Step II. of the process can be carried out atmospheric pressure or at reduced pressure. Preferably, the evaporative water removal is carried out at atmospheric pressure.

In the third step of the process (i.e. Step III.) the temperature of the desiccated mixture is reduced to less than 25 degrees Celsius to obtain a solid composition. Preferably, the temperature is reduced to less than 22 degrees Celsius, more preferably to less than 20 degrees Celsius. Step III. can be performed by using passive or active cooling.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, Step III. comprises the step of introducing the liquid desiccated mixture into a mould and reducing the temperature of the desiccated mixture that is comprised in the mould to obtain the solid composition, followed by removal of the shaped solid composition from the mould. This embodiment enables the formation of shaped solid objects of the solid composition.

In another embodiment of the invention, Step III. comprises the step of applying a layer of the liquid desiccated mixture onto a solid substrate and reducing the temperature of this layer to obtain a layer of the solid composition. This embodiment of the present process can be used to prepare multi-layered structures that contain one or more layers of the solid composition. This embodiment can also be used to coat substrates with the solid composition.

In yet another embodiment, Step III. comprises the step of spraying the liquid desiccated mixture into a chamber to produce droplets of liquid desiccated mixture and cooling these droplets with a flow of cooling gas to produce particles of the solid composition. As explained herein before, the present process offers the advantage that it can be used to produce solid amorphous composition, notably an amorphous composition that is translucent or even transparent. Accordingly, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the solid amorphous composition that is produced by the present process has a maximum Transmittance in the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm of at least 5%, more preferably of at least 10%, even more preferably of at least 20%, yet more preferably of at least 25% and most preferably of least 30%. Preferably the solid amorphous composition has an average Transmittance in the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm of at least 5%, more preferably of at least 10%, even more preferably of at least 20% and most preferably of at least 25%.

Aminopolycarboxylate

Aminopolycarboxylates are well known in the detergent industry and sometimes referred to as aminocarboxylate chelants. They are generally appreciated as being strong builders.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the aminopolycarboxylate employed in accordance with the present invention is a chiral aminopolycarboxylate. Chirality is a geometric property of molecules induced by the molecules having at least one chiral centre. Chiral molecules are non-superimposable on its mirror image. The chiral aminopolycarboxylate as used in the invention can comprise all its molecular mirror images.

Chiral and preferred aminopolycarboxylates are glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), iminodimalic acid (I DM) or a mixture thereof, more preferred are GLDA, MGDA, EDDS or a mixture thereof and even more preferred are GLDA and MGDA or a mixture thereof. Preferably the aminopolycarboxylate as used in the solid composition essentially is GLDA and/or MGDA. In case of GLDA preferably is it predominantly (i.e. for more than 80 molar %) present in one of its chiral forms.

Examples of non-chiral aminopolycarboxylates are ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), iminodiacetic acid (IDA),

diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid (HEIDA) aspartic acid diethoxysuccinic acid (AES) aspartic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (ASDA) , hydroxyethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid (HEDTA), hydroxyethylethylene- diaminetriacetic acid (HEEDTA) , iminodifumaric (IDF), iminoditartaric acid (IDT), iminodimaleic acid (IDMAL), ethylenediaminedifumaric acid (EDDF),

ethylenediaminedimalic acid (EDDM), ethylenediamineditartaric acid (EDDT), ethylenediaminedimaleic acid and (EDDMAL), dipicolinic acid. None-chiral

aminopolycarboxylates are preferably present in an amount of at most 10 wt. %, more preferably at most 5 wt. % and even more preferably essentially absent from the solid composition of the invention.

In the preparation of the aqueous solution in Step I. of the present process, the aminopolycarboxylate is preferably added in the form of an alkali metal salt. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the aqueous solution is prepared by adding the tetrasodium salt of GLDA and/or the trisodium salt of MGDA.

Aminocarboxylate in the aqueous solution

The aqueous solution used in the process of the invention comprises 5 to 45 wt. % free acid equivalent of aminopolycarboxylate. In a preferred embodiment, the aqueous solution comprises 10 to 40 wt. %, more preferably 15 to 35 wt. %, even more preferably 18 to 30 wt. % free acid equivalent of aminopolycarboxylate.

Preferably, the aqueous solution comprises at least 5 wt. %, more preferably at least 10 wt. %, even more preferably at least 15 wt. %, most preferably at least 18 wt. %, free acid equivalent of aminopolycarboxylate selected from glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), iminodimalic acid (IDM) and combinations thereof. More preferably, the aqueous solution comprises at least 5 wt. %, more preferably at least 10 wt. %, even more preferably at least 15 wt. %, most preferably at least 18 wt. % of free acid equivalent of aminopolycarboxylate selected from GLDA, MGDA, EDDS and combinations thereof.

Water-soluble components

The aqueous solution used in the process of the invention comprises 2 to 40 wt. % of one or more water-soluble components. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aqueous solution comprises 4 to 35 wt. %, more preferably 8 to 30 wt. %, even more preferably 10 to 28 wt. % of the one or more water-soluble components. Preferred the water-soluble components employed in accordance with the invention include one or more water-soluble acids other than aminopolycarboxylate. It was found that it is possible to incorporate a significant amount of water-soluble acid in the preparation of the solid composition. Inclusion of acid can reduce hygroscopicity of the solid composition. In addition, water-soluble acids such a citric acid can be incorporated in the solid composition as an additional builder component.

Therefore, advantageously the aqueous solution comprises at least 4 wt. %, more preferably 8 to 35 wt. %, even more preferably 10 to 28 wt. % acid equivalent of water- soluble acid other than aminopolycarboxylate, said water-soluble acid being selected from water-soluble organic acid, water-soluble inorganic acid and combinations thereof.

Of particular preference the water-soluble acid used in accordance with the invention is an organic acid. Particularly good results can be achieved with organic polyacids (i.e. acids having more than one carboxylic acid group), and more particularly with organic acids which are di- or tri-carboxylates.

The organic acid employed in accordance with the invention preferably comprises 3 to 25 carbon atoms, more preferably 4 to 15 carbon atoms.

Preferably in Step I. of the process the aqueous solution contains at least 4 wt. %, more preferably 8 to 30 wt. %, even more preferably 10 to 28 wt. % free acid equivalent of a di- and/or tri-carboxylic acid having a molecular weight of less than 500 Dalton, more preferably of less than 400 Dalton and most preferably of less than 300 Dalton.

In general, any organic acid can be used, but in view of consumer acceptance the organic acids preferably are those which are also found naturally occurring, such as in plants. As such, organic acids of note are acetic acid, citric acid, aspartic acid, lactic acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, saccharic acids, their salts, or mixtures thereof. Of these, of particular interest are citric acid, aspartic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, gluconic acid, their salts, or mixtures thereof. Citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and aspartic acid are even more preferred. Citric acid and/or its salt are especially beneficial as, besides acting as builder are also highly biodegradable. As such the more preferred solid composition of the invention comprises (and essentially is) citric acid, citrate salt or a mixture thereof. In general, the acids of the organic acids are more preferred than their alkali salt equivalents.

The aqueous solution employed in the present process is preferably prepared by adding the water-soluble acid in fully protonated form, optionally in the form of an aqueous solution.

Preferably, the aqueous solution contains at least 4 wt. %, more preferably 8 to 30 wt.

%, even more preferably 10 to 28 wt. %, free acid equivalent of water-soluble acid selected from acetic acid, citric acid, aspartic acid, lactic acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, saccharic acids, sulfuric acid, hydrogen chloride and combinations thereof.

In an especially preferred embodiment, the aqueous solution contains at least 4 wt. %, more preferably 8 to 30 wt. %, even more preferably 10 to 28 wt. %, free acid equivalent of citric acid.

In a preferred embodiment, the aqueous solution comprises less than 5 wt. %, more preferably less than 3 wt. %, even more preferably less than 1.0 wt. %. of components other than aminopolycarboxylate, acid (other than aminopolycarboxylate) and water.

Particularly good results can be achieved with certain weight ratios of

aminopolycarboxylate and the water-soluble acid in the solid composition. Therefore, it is preferred that the aqueous solution comprises the aminopolycarboxylate and the water-soluble acid in a weight ratio of aminopolycarboxylate to acid from 1 :2 to 1 :0.15, preferably from 1 :1.5 to 1 :0.4, more preferably from 1 :1.4 to 1 :0.5, based on the weight of the free acid equivalents.

The most preferred combinations of aminopolycarboxylate and acid comprise a chiral aminopolycarboxylate and an organic acid.

Particularly preferred are combinations comprising GLDA and citric acid; or MGDA and citric acid. Water

The aqueous solution used in the process of the invention comprises at least 35 wt. % water, preferably 40 to 90 wt. %, more preferably 45 to 85 wt. %, even more preferably 50 to 80 wt. % water.

The solid composition obtained by the present process preferably comprises 2 to 30 wt. % water. More preferably, the solid composition has a water content of 5 to 25 wt. %, even more preferably of 6 to 20 wt. % and most preferably 7 to 18 wt. %. It was surprisingly found that such a water content provides a solid composition which has a good balance between hardness and plasticity. the composition can be a hard solid (water level of from 2 to 20 wt. %), or a soft solid composition (water level above 20 to 30 wt. %). In general, the solid composition having a water level from 2 to 30 wt. % is generally plastic (more so at higher water levels). The general plasticity and thermoplastic behaviour offers the significant practical advantage that the solid composition can be (machine) worked with a low chance of breakage or of forming cracks. Also, not unimportantly, it can provide an improved sensory experience when handled by the consumer.

The water-activity aw of the solid composition according to the invention can be 0.7 or lower. Preferred is a water-activity a _w of at most 0.6, and further preferred of at most 0.5. The preferred lower limit of water activity a _w may be 0.15.

Further components

Particularly good results can be obtained when the aqueous solution employed in Step I. of the present process contains polycarboxylate polymer. The term“polycarboxylate polymer” here is used to also cover the acid form and is different from the one or more water-soluble acids that can be present in the aqueous solution of Step I.

The addition of polycarboxylate polymer was shown to surprisingly further improve the plasticity of the solid composition. The improved plasticity is beneficial as it makes the solid compositions easier to (mechanically) work and makes it easier to manufacture detergent product comprising the solid composition. The aqueous solution preferably comprises 0.2 to 10 wt. %, more preferably 0.4 to 7 wt. % and even more preferably 0.8 to 4 wt. % of polycarboxylate polymer, the weight percentage being based on the free acid equivalent.

Suitable polycarboxylate polymers have an average molar mass Mw of from 500 to 500.000. They may be modified or unmodified, but preferably are unmodified. Also they can be co-polymers or homopolymers, although homopolymers are considered more beneficial.

Surprisingly, it was observed that if the solid composition obtained by the invention and suitable for detergent products according to the invention comprised polycarboxylate polymer, hygroscopicity was reduced. This reduction was more pronounced if the polycarboxylate polymer used was of lower molecular weight. Having a reduced hygroscopicity is of course beneficial as it aids in improving the stability of the detergent product, and generally increases shelf life. Polycarboxylate polymers having an average molar mass (Mw) of from 900 to 100.000, more preferably 1 100 to 10.000 gave better results in terms of further improving the glass transition temperature (T _g ), the plasticity and the hygroscopicity.

In a preferred embodiment, the solid composition comprises at least 0.3 wt. %, more preferably at least 0.6 wt. %, even more preferably at least 1 wt. % and most preferably at least 1.8 wt. % free acid equivalent of polycarboxylate polymer selected from polyacrylate, copolymers of polyacrylate, polymaleate, copolymers of polymaleate, polymethacrylate, copolymers of polymethacrylate, polymethyl-methacrylate, copolymers of polymethyl-methacrylate, polyaspartate, copolymers of polyaspartate, polylactate, copolymers of polylactate, polyitaconates, copolymers of polyitaconates and combinations thereof.

Highly preferred polycarboxylate polymers are polyacrylates. Suitable polyacrylates are commercially available, such as from BASF under the tradename Sokalan PA 13 PN, Solakan PA 15, Sokalan PA 20 PN, Sokalan PA 20, Sokalan PA 25 PN, Sokalan PA 30, Sokalan 30 CL, Sokalan PA 40, Sokalan PA 50, Sokalan PA 70 PN, Sokalan PA 80 S and Sokalan PA 1 10 S.

Preferred are polyacrylates which are partially or fully neutralized. The aqueous solution preferably comprises at least 0.2 wt. %, more preferably at least 0.4 wt. % and even more preferably at least 0.8 wt. % of polyacrylate, the weight percentage being based on the free acid equivalent.

As such highly preferred for use in the present process are polyacrylates having the following combined properties:

• which are partially or fully neutralized; and

• which have an average molar mass (Mw) of from 500 to 500.000; and

• which are homopolymers.

Still more preferred are polyacrylates having the following combined properties:

• which are partially or fully neutralized; and

• which have an average molar mass (Mw) of from 900 to 100.000; and

• which are homopolymers.

Solid composition

The term‘solid’ according to the invention is according to its commonplace usage. For example, a wineglass is considered a solid in common place usage although in a strict physical sense it is an extremely viscous liquid.

It is particularly beneficial that the solid composition of the present invention is a solid amorphous composition. In particular the solid amorphous composition that is obtained by the present process preferably contains no crystals of the aminopolycarboxylate and of the one or more water-soluble components, as measured by WAXS using the method set-out in the Examples. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the molecular interaction of the aminopolycarboxylate with the one or more water-soluble components (although not covalently bound to it) prevents either of these components from crystallizing. Thus, a particular benefit of the composition according to the invention is that the composition can be free of further added crystal formation inhibitors.

Preferably, solid amorphous composition has a glass transition temperature (T _g ) below 80 degrees Celsius, more preferably from 10 to 60 degrees Celsius, even more preferably from 15 to 50 degrees Celsius and most preferably from 20 to 40 degrees Celsius. The solid composition that is obtained in Step III. of the process preferably comprises 25 to 88 wt. % free acid equivalent of aminopolycarboxylate. Preferably, the solid composition comprises 30 to 70wt. %, more preferably at least 32 to 68 wt. %, even more preferably at least 35 to 60 wt. % free acid equivalent of aminopolycarboxylate selected from glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), iminodimalic acid (IDM) and combinations thereof.

Preferred is that the solid composition comprises at least 30 wt. %, more preferably at least 32 wt. %, even more preferably at least 35 wt. % free acid equivalent of aminopolycarboxylate selected from GLDA, MGDA, EDDS and combinations thereof.

The solid composition preferably comprises an acid other than aminopolycarboxylate. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the solid composition comprises from 10 to 60 wt.

% free acid equivalent of the acid. More preferred is a total amount of the acid of from 15 to 55 wt. % free acid equivalent, more preferably of from 20 to 50 wt. % free acid equivalent.

Preferably, the solid composition contains at least 10 wt. %, more preferably at least 15 wt. %, even more preferably at least 20 wt. % free acid equivalent of an acid selected from acetic acid, citric acid, aspartic acid, lactic acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, saccharic acids, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and combinations thereof.

The solid composition preferably contains at least 10 wt. %, more preferably at least 15 wt. %, even more preferably at least 20 wt. % free acid equivalent of a di- and/or tri- carboxylic acid having a molecular weight of less than 500 Dalton, more preferably of less than 400 Dalton and most preferably of less than 300 Dalton.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition contains at least 10 wt. %, more preferably at least 15 wt. %, even more preferably at least 20 wt. % free acid equivalent of citric acid.

The solid composition of the invention may, depending on the aminopolycarboxylate and acid used, be colored and for example have a yellowish tinge. The translucency of such solid composition can be further improved by adding an opposing colorant of the color wheel, which is preferably a dye. For example, yellow opposes blue on the color wheel, and violet opposes green. This will render the solid composition in essence to be more colorless, which can be preferred. It is noted that typical dyes need be added in relatively small amounts to be effective. Hence their level is suggested not to be above 0.5 wt. % and preferably is at most 0.2 wt. %.

The solid composition of the invention, preferably contains no more than 30 wt. % of ingredients other than aminopolycarboxylate, acid, polycarboxylate polymer, colorants and water, more preferably no more than 20 wt. %, still even more preferably no more than 10 wt. %, still even more preferably no more than 5 wt. %, still even more preferably no more than 2 wt. % and still even more preferably essentially no further ingredients are present.

The solid composition of the invention preferably has the following pH profile: the pH of a solution of the solid composition made by dissolving the solid composition in water in a 1 :1 weight ratio is at most 10.0, as measured at 25 degrees Celsius. Such a pH profile improves stability of the solid composition. Particularly good results were achieved for said pH profile being at most 9.0, more preferably at most 7.0. Many detergents products are overall alkaline. As such, for practical reasons and to increase formulation freedom, preferably the pH of a solution made by dissolving 1 wt. % of the solid composition in water is at least 5.0 and more preferably at least 6.0 and most preferably at least 6.5.

It was found that the solid composition of the present invention can be rendered substantially more plastic (less solid) by heating the composition to a temperature of at least 50 degrees Celsius, more preferably of at least 70 degrees Celsius. This thermoplastic behaviour can suitably be used in the preparation of shaped detergent products, e.g. by introducing the plasticized composition into a mould and solidifying the plasticized composition within the mould by cooling. Also, the plasticized composition may be spread as a layer onto a solid substrate followed by cooling to solidify the layer of composition.

A second aspect of the invention relates to the solid composition, preferably solid amorphous composition, that is obtained by the present process. Detergent product

A third aspect of the invention relates to a detergent product comprising 1 to 100 wt.% of a solid amorphous phase and 0 to 99 wt.% of one or more other phases, the solid amorphous phase consisting of a solid amorphous composition as described herein before, said detergent product containing at least 0.5 wt.% surfactant. Preferably the one or more other phases encompassing at least of further solid phase.

Preferably, the detergent product contains 2 to 90 wt. %, preferably 5 to 80 wt. %, more preferably 10 to 65 wt. %, even more preferably 20 to 50 wt. % of the solid amorphous phase.

Preferably, the amorphous solid phase is visually distinct from the remainder of the detergent product, by virtue of the remainder of the detergent product having one or more phases which are non-solid and/or non-amorphous and preferably are non-solid and non-amorphous.

Typically, the detergent product further comprises from 1 to 70 wt. % of surfactant, preferably 2 to 70 wt. %, more preferably 4 to 50 wt. % of surfactant. The surfactant can be non-ionic or anionic. In case of machine dish wash detergent products, the particularly preferred amount of surfactant is from 0.5 to 25 wt. %, preferably 2 to 15 wt. %. In case of toilet bowl rim detergent products, the particularly preferred amount of surfactant is from 0.5 to 55 wt. %, preferably 10 to 40 wt. %. In case of laundry detergent products, the particular preferred amount of surfactant is from 2 to 70 wt. %, preferably 10 to 35 wt. %.

Suitable detergent products are a machine dish wash detergent product, a laundry detergent product or a toilet rim-block detergent product. Advantageously the detergent product is a unit-dose detergent product. Most preferably, the detergent product is a machine dish wash detergent product.

Preferably, the detergent product is a shaped detergent product. Examples of shaped detergent products containing the solid amorphous composition, optionally in

combination with a second solid phase, are tablets that are coated with the solid amorphous composition. Another example are multi-layered tablets containing one or more layers of the solid amorphous composition and one or more layers of a second solid phase. Preferably, the solid amorphous composition that is present in the detergent product is present in at least one coherent volume of from 0.1 to 20 cm ³ , more preferably from 0.2 to 5 cm ³ . Said preferred volumes allows the distinctive solid amorphous composition of the invention to be easily visible to the naked eye, allowing it to be better appreciated for its visual appeal.

Preferably, the solid amorphous composition is translucent or transparent. More preferably, when present, a second solid phase is opaque.

In case of machine dish wash detergent products, the particularly preferred amount of the solid amorphous composition is from 5 to 60 wt. %, more preferably 10 to 50 wt. % and even more preferably 15 to 40 wt. %.

In case of laundry detergent products, the particularly preferred amount of the solid amorphous composition of the invention is from 10 to 60, more preferably 20 to 50 wt.

%, and even more preferably, 25 to 35 wt. %.

In case of toilet bowl rim detergent products, the particularly preferred amount of the solid amorphous composition of the invention is from 10 to 85 wt. %, more preferably 20 to 80 wt. % and even more preferably 40 to 70 wt. %.

The distinctiveness of the solid amorphous composition of the shaped detergent product can be enhanced by a suitable distinctive colouring. This can be done by making it of more intense or of less intense colour (e.g. colourless). Preferably of course when colouring is applied, the translucency is maintained to an appreciable extent. Generally colourants, such as dyes and/or pigments are effective in low amounts and as such this is typically not problematic. In any case, it is particularly envisioned that the solid amorphous composition of the invention is used in a detergent product and adds to the visual appeal thereof.

The solid amorphous composition of the invention can be present in any suitable shape or shapes, such as in one or more visually distinct layers, lines (e.g. rods, beams), spherical or cuboid shapes or combinations thereof. Whatever the geometric arrangement of the solid amorphous composition of the invention within the overall detergent product, it is preferred that at least part the solid composition forms part of the surface of the detergent product. More preferably, at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% more preferably at least 50% of the surface area of the detergent product is formed by the solid composition. Preferably at most 95%, 90% and more preferably at most 85% of the surface area of the detergent product is formed by the solid composition.

The solid amorphous composition can be present in the detergent product of the invention in any suitable shape or shapes, such as in one or more layers, lines (e.g. rods, beams), spherical or cuboid shapes or combinations thereof. Preferred shapes are the following: cuboid, cylinder, sphere, bar, X-bar, pyramid, prism, cone, dome and (circular) tube. Of these more preferred shapes are bar, X-bar, cylinder, cuboid,

(circular) tube and sphere.

In a preferred embodiment, the shaped detergent product has a unit weight of 5 to 50 grams, more preferably a unit weight of 10 to 30 grams, even more preferably a unit weight of 12 to 25 grams.

The solid amorphous composition of the invention in the detergent product may act as a matrix and hold part, or the whole, of the further ingredients in the detergent product. In this sense, the solid composition of the invention may be used to form a (partial) skin. Advantageously the solid composition acts as a translucent matrix holding one or more visually distinct bodies. The bodies being preferably in the shape of spheres or cubes. The bodies being preferably coloured.

In general, the skilled person is endowed with the capability to use the solid amorphous composition of the invention to his advantage when making more appealing detergent products. In particular the solid amorphous composition can be used to provide a (partially) translucent detergent product and/or to provide a (partially) glossy detergent product. As described above, ways of using the solid amorphous composition in a detergent product in which the solid remains visible and can be appreciated for it translucent and/or glossy nature are highly preferred.

The detergent product according to the present invention comprises the solid composition according to the invention. As such the detergent product (as a whole) will comprise aminopolycarboxylate, water-soluble component and water by virtue of this. The detergent product in addition comprises, preferably in the other part(s), at least one further detergent active, and preferably one or more of enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, bleaching agents, bleach activator, bleach catalyst, bleach scavengers, drying aids, silicates, metal care agents, colorants, perfumes, lime soap dispersants, anti-foam, anti- tarnish, anti-corrosion agents, surfactants and further builders.

Further builders

Further builder materials may be selected from 1 ) calcium sequestrant materials, 2) precipitating materials, 3) calcium ion-exchange materials and 4) mixtures thereof. Examples of calcium sequestrant builder materials include alkali metal polyphosphates, such as sodium tripolyphosphate and organic sequestrants, such as ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid. Examples of precipitating builder materials include sodium

orthophosphate and sodium carbonate. Preferably, the detergent product comprises sodium carbonate in the range from 5 to 50 wt. %, most preferably 10 to 35 wt. %.

Examples of calcium ion-exchange builder materials include the various types of water- insoluble crystalline or amorphous aluminosilicates, of which zeolites are the best known representatives, e.g. zeolite A, zeolite B (also known as zeolite P), zeolite C, zeolite X, zeolite Y and also the zeolite P-type as described in EP-A-0,384,070.

The detergent product may also contain 0 to 65 % of a builder or complexing agent such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid, alkyl- or alkenylsuccinic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid or the other builders mentioned

below. Many builders are also bleach-stabilising agents by virtue of their ability to complex metal ions. Zeolite and carbonate (carbonate (including bicarbonate and sesquicarbonate) are preferred further builders.

The builder may be crystalline aluminosilicate, preferably an alkali metal aluminosilicate, more preferably a sodium aluminosilicate. This is typically present at a level of less than 15wt. %. Aluminosilicates are materials having the general formula: 0.8-1.5 M ₂ 0. AI2O3. 0.8-6 S1O2, where M is a monovalent cation, preferably sodium. These materials contain some bound water and are required to have a calcium ion exchange capacity of at least 50 mg CaO/g. The preferred sodium aluminosilicates contain 1.5-3.5 S1O2 units in the formula above. They can be prepared readily by reaction between sodium silicate and sodium aluminate, as amply described in the literature. The ratio of surfactants to alumuminosilicate (where present) is preferably greater than 5:2, more preferably greater than 3:1. Alternatively, or additionally to the aluminosilicate builders, phosphate builders may be used. In this invention the term’phosphate’ embraces diphosphate, triphosphate, and phosphonate species. Other forms of builder include silicates, such as soluble silicates, metasilicates, layered silicates (e.g. SKS-6 from Hoechst). However, preferably the detergent product is a non-phosphate built detergent product, i.e., contains less than 1 wt. % of phosphate and preferably essentially no phosphate.

In view of the environmental concerns associated with the use of high levels of phosphorous based builders in detergent compositions it is preferred that the detergent product according to the invention comprises at most 5 wt. %, more preferably at most 1 wt. % and particularly essentially no phosphorous based builders. Examples of phosphorous based builders are 1-hydroxyethane-1 ,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), diethylenetriamine-penta (methylenephosphonic acid) (DTPMP), ethylenediaminetetra- methylenephosphonate (EDTMP), tripolyphosphate, pyrophosphate.

Alkali carbonate is appreciated in view of its double-function as builder and buffer and is preferably present in the detergent product. If present the preferred amount of alkali carbonate in the detergent product is from 2 to 75 wt. %, more preferably from 3 to 50 wt. % and even more preferably from 5 to 20 wt. %. Such level of alkali carbonate provides good Ca ²⁺ and Mg ²⁺ ion scavenging for most types of water hardness levels, as well as other builder effects, such as providing good buffering capacity. The preferred alkali carbonates are sodium- and/or potassium carbonate of which sodium carbonate is particularly preferred. The alkali carbonate present in the detergent product of the invention can be present as such or as part of a more complex ingredient (e.g. sodium carbonate in sodium percarbonate).

Surfactants

The nonionic and anionic surfactants of the surfactant system may be chosen from the surfactants described "Surface Active Agents" Vol. 1 , by Schwartz & Perry, Interscience 1949, Vol. 2 by Schwartz, Perry & Berch, Interscience 1958, in the current edition of "McCutcheon’s Emulsifiers and Detergents" published by Manufacturing Confectioners Company or in "Tenside-Taschenbuch", H. Stache, 2nd Edn., Carl Hauser Verlag, 1981. Preferably the surfactants used are saturated.

Non-ionic surfactants Suitable non-ionic surfactants which may be used include, in particular, the reaction products of compounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for example, aliphatic alcohols, acids, amides or alkyl phenols with alkylene oxides, especially ethylene oxide either alone or with propylene oxide.

Preferably low-foaming nonionic surfactants are used particularly from the group of alkoxylated alcohols. Alkoxylated, advantageously ethoxylated, in particular primary alcohols with preferably 8 to 18 C atoms and on average 1 to 12 mol of ethylene oxide (EO) per mol of alcohol, in which the alcohol residue may be linear or preferably methyl- branched in position 2 or may contain linear and methyl-branched residues in the mixture, as are usually present in oxo alcohol residues, are preferably used as nonionic surfactants. In particular, however, alcohol ethoxylates with linear residues prepared from alcohols of natural origin with 12 to 18 C atoms, for example from coconut, palm, tallow fat or oleyl alcohol, and on average 2 to 8 mol of EO per mol of alcohol are preferred. The preferred ethoxylated alcohols include for example C12-14 alcohols with 3 EO to 4 EO, C9-12 alcohol with 7 EO, C13-15 alcohols with 3 EO, 5 EO, 7 EO or 8 EO, C12- 18 alcohols with 3 EO, 5 EO or 7 EO and mixtures of these, such as mixtures of C12-14 alcohol with 3 EO and C12-19 alcohol with 5 EO. Preferred tallow fatty alcohols with more than 12 EO have from 60 to 100 EO, and more preferably from 70 to 90 EO. Particularly preferred tallow fatty alcohols with more than 12 EO are tallow fatty alcohols with 80 EO.

Nonionic surfactants from the group of alkoxylated alcohols, particularly preferably from the group of mixed alkoxylated alcohols and in particular from the group of EO-AO-EO nonionic surfactants, are likewise particularly preferentially used. Preferably used nonionic surfactants originate from the groups comprising alkoxylated nonionic surfactants, in particular ethoxylated primary alcohols and mixtures of these surfactants with structurally complex surfactants such as polyoxypropylene/ polyoxyethylene/ polyoxypropylene (PO/EO/PO). Such (PO/EO/PO) nonionic surfactants are furthermore distinguished by good foam control.

The most preferred nonionic surfactants are according to the formula:

wherein n is from 0 to 5 and m from 10 to 50, more preferably wherein n is from 0 to 3 and m is from 15 to 40, and even more preferably wherein n is 0 and m is from 18 to 25. Surfactants according to this formula were particularly useful in reducing spotting of dishware treated in a machine dish washer. Preferably at least 50 wt. % of the nonionic surfactant comprised by the detergent product of the invention is nonionic surfactant according to this formula. Such nonionic surfactants are commercially available, e.g. under the tradename Dehypon WET (Supplier: BASF) and Genapol EC50 (Supplier Clariant).

The shaped detergent product of the invention preferably comprises from 0.5 to 15 wt.

% of nonionic surfactant. The more preferred total amount of nonionic surfactants is from 2.0 to 8 wt. % and even more preferred is an amount of from 2.5 to 5.0 wt. %. The nonionic surfactant used in the detergent product of the invention can be a single nonionic surfactant or a mixture of two or more non-ionic surfactants.

The nonionic surfactant is preferably present in amounts of 25 to 90 wt. % based on the total weight of the surfactant system. Anionic surfactants can be present for example in amounts in the range from 5 to 40 wt. % of the surfactant system.

Anionic surfactants

Suitable anionic surfactants which may be used are preferably water-soluble alkali metal salts of organic sulphates and sulphonates having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term alkyl being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. Examples of suitable synthetic anionic surfactants are sodium and potassium alkyl sulphates, especially those obtained by sulphating higher C8 to C18 alcohols, produced for example from tallow or coconut oil, sodium and potassium alkyl C9 to C20 benzene sulphonates, particularly sodium linear secondary alkyl C10 to C15 benzene sulphonates; and sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulphates, especially those ethers of the higher alcohols derived from tallow or coconut oil and synthetic alcohols derived from petroleum. The preferred anionic surfactants are sodium C11 to C15 alkyl benzene sulphonates and sodium C12 to C18 alkyl sulphates. Also applicable are surfactants such as those described in EP-A-328 177 (Unilever), which show resistance to salting- out, the alkyl polyglycoside surfactants described in EP-A-070 074, and alkyl monoglycosides.

Bleaching system

It is preferred that the shaped detergent product according to the invention comprises at least 5 wt. %, more preferably at least 8 wt. % and even more preferably at least 10 wt. % of bleaching agent by total weight of the product. The bleaching agent preferably comprises a chlorine-, or bromine-releasing agent or a peroxygen compound.

Preferably, the bleaching agent is selected from peroxides (including peroxide salts such as sodium percarbonate), organic peracids, salts of organic peracids and combinations thereof. More preferably, the bleaching agent is a peroxide. Most preferably, the bleaching agent is a percarbonate.

The shaped detergent product of the invention may contain one or more bleach activators such as peroxyacid bleach precursors. Peroxyacid bleach precursors are well known in the art. As non-limiting examples can be named N,N,N',N'-tetraacetyl ethylene diamine (TAED), sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulphonate (SNOBS), sodium

benzoyloxybenzene sulphonate (SBOBS) and the cationic peroxyacid precursor (SPCC) as described in US-A-4,751 ,015.

Preferably the shaped detergent product comprises a bleach catalyst. Particularly preferred is a bleach catalyst which is a manganese complex, such as Mn-Me TACN, as described in EP-A-0458397, and/or the sulphonimines of US-A- 5,041 ,232 and US-A- 5,047,163. It is advantageous that the bleach catalyst is physically separated in the detergent product from the bleach (to avoid premature bleach activation). Cobalt or iron catalysts can also be used.

Enzymes

The shaped detergent product of the invention further preferably comprises one or more enzymes chosen from proteases, alpha-amylases, cellulases, lipases, peroxidases/ oxidases, pectate lyases, and mannanases. Particularly preferred is protease, amylase or a combination thereof. If present the level of each enzyme is from 0.0001 to 1.0 wt. %, more preferably 0.001 to 0.8 wt. %.

Silicates

Silicates are known detergent ingredients, and often included to provide dish wash care benefits, and reduce corrosion of dishware. Particularly preferred silicates are sodium disilicate, sodium metasilicate and crystalline phyllosilicates or mixtures thereof. If present the total amount of silicates preferably is from 1 to 15 wt. %, more preferably from 2 to 10 wt. % and even more preferably from 2.5 to 5.0 wt. % by weight of the shaped detergent product.

Perfume

Preferably the shaped detergent product of the invention comprises one or more colorants, perfumes or a mixture thereof in an amount of from 0.0001 to 8 wt. %, more preferably from 0.001 to 4 wt. % and even more preferably from 0.001 to 1.5 wt. %.

Perfume is preferably present in the range from 0.1 to 1 wt. %. Many suitable examples of perfumes are provided in the CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association) 1992 International Buyers Guide, published by CFTA Publications and OPD 1993 Chemicals Buyers Directory 80th Annual Edition, published by Schnell Publishing Co. In perfume mixtures preferably 15 to 25 wt. % are top notes. Top notes are defined by Poucher (Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists 6(2):80 [1955]). Preferred top- notes are selected from citrus oils, linalool, linalyl acetate, lavender, dihydromyrcenol, rose oxide and cis-3-hexanol.

Shading dyes

In particular for laundry detergent compositions according to the invention, it is preferred that these comprise shading dye. Shading dyes are, for example, added to laundry detergent formulations to enhance the whiteness of fabrics. Shading dyes are preferably blue or violet dyes which are substantive to fabric. A mixture of shading dyes may be used and indeed are preferred for treating mixed fiber textiles. The preferred amount of shading dyes is from 0.00001 to 1.0 wt. %, preferably 0.0001 to 0.1 wt. % and particularly an amount of 0.001 to 0.01 wt. % is preferred. Shading dyes are discussed in W02005/003274, W02006/032327, W02006/032397, W02006/045275,

WQ2006/027086, W002008/017570, WO 2008/141880, W02009/132870, W02009/141173, WO 2010/099997, WO 2010/102861 , WO2010/148624,

W02008/087497 and WO201 1/01 1799.

Form of the detergent product

Due to the presence of the solid amorphous composition, the detergent product at least contains a solid part. The remainder of the detergent product can also be non-solid, such as in the form of a liquid, but preferably contains at least one further solid (non- powder) part.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the detergent product is a shaped detergent product. Detergent tablets are an example of a shaped detergent product.

The detergent product is preferably provided as a water-soluble or water-dispersible unit dose. Particularly preferred unit doses are in the form of pouches, which comprise at least one further non-shape stable ingredient, such as a liquid and/or powder; or in the form of tablets. For ease of use, the unit dose is sized and shaped as to fit in the detergent cup of a conventional house-hold machine dishwasher, laundry machine or toilet-rim holder, as is known in the art.

Unit dose pouches preferably have more than one compartment. It is particularly preferred that at least one of such compartments holds a liquid, such as a liquid surfactant, or a powder.

Advantageous unit dose tablets are those which have more than one visually distinct tablet regions. Such regions can be formed by e.g. two distinct (colored) layers or a tablet having a main body and a distinct insert, such as forming a nested-egg. However oriented, one benefit of using multi-compartmental pouches/ multi-region tablets is that it can be used to reduce/prevent undesired chemical reactions between two or more ingredients during storage by physical segregation.

Especially in case the detergent product is a machine dish wash detergent product, the more preferred unit dose is a tablet.

Preferably the unit dose detergent product is wrapped to improve hygiene and consumer safety. The wrapper advantageously is based on water-soluble film which preferably a polyvinylalcohol (PVA) based film. Such wrapping prevents direct contact of the detergent product with the skin of the consumer when placing the unit dose in the detergent cup/holder of a e.g. machine dishwasher. A further benefit of course is that the consumer also does not need to remove a water-soluble wrapping before use. The detergent products according to the invention can be made using known methods and equipment in the field of detergent manufacturing. The detergent product according to the invention can be made by combining the solid amorphous composition of the invention together with the remainder of the detergent ingredients. In view of making tablets, a particularly preferred way of combining is by pressing the solid amorphous composition of the invention onto (or into) the remainder of the tablet ingredients and/or by adding the solid amorphous composition in heated (liquid) form.

Preferred detergent product formulations

A highly preferred general detergent product formulation is as follows:

In case of a machine dish wash detergent products the product is preferably a unit-dose tablet with the following composition:

In case of a toilet rim detergent product the product is preferably is a solid block composition, e.g. without comprising liquid parts and/or powder/granular parts and even more preferably having the following composition:

In case of a laundry detergent product these advantageously have the following composition:

Unless otherwise indicated, preferred aspects in the context of the one aspect of the invention (e.g. the solid composition) are also applicable as preferred aspects in the context of one of the other aspects of the invention mutatis mutandis.

The invention is now illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

Examples

Analytical Methods

X-ray diffraction (XRD)

XRD was used to detect presence of crystalline material in the solid amorphous composition using to the Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering technique (WAXS). XRD was carried out using a D8 Discover X-Ray Diffractometer from Bruker AXS (activa number: 1 14175). The XRD measurements was performed using the following settings:

Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to measure the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the solid amorphous composition. The equipment used of the DSC analysis was a Perkin Elmer power compensated DSC8000 equipped with an

Intracooler III as cooling means. The stainless-steel sample pan was used which is provided with the equipment by the Supplier and filled according to Supplier instructions with material to be analyzed. The amount of material added to the sample pan (sample weight) was from 10 to 40 mg. The following settings were used in running the measurement:

The Tg of the samples was measured with the second heating (i.e. the last heating step in the DSC temperature regime).

Examples 1-8

Solid compositions were made using the preparation process of the present invention, starting from an aqueous solution having a composition as set out in the following Table A. Table A. Composition of aqueous solutions, amounts are given in parts by weight.

¹ GLDA: Dissolvine GL-47-S (Supplier: Akzo Nobel) is a 47 % solution of GLDA containing 50 % water. The amount given in Table A is the amount of GLDA.

² MGDA: Trilon (M): (Supplier: BASF) is a 40 % solution of MGDA containing 55 % water. The amount given in Table A is the amount of MGDA.

³ EDDS: (analytical grade, Supplier: Sigma Aldrich) is a 35 % actives solution of the trinatrium salt of EDDS containing about 65 % water. The amount given in Table A is the amount of EDDS.

⁴ Citric Acid: used as a 50 % solution. The amount given in Table A is the amount citric acid.

⁵ Acetic Acid: used as a 50 % solution. The amount given in Table A is the amount of acetic acid.

⁶ Polyacrylate: Sokalan PA 25 CL (Supplier BASF), supplied as granules comprising 80% polyacrylate. Average molar mass Mw is 4000. The amount in Table A is the amount of polyacrylate.

⁷ Contained in aminopolycarboxylate

The aqueous solutions were heated to boiling in a frying pan. Next, boiling was continued to allow evaporation of water. The liquid was poured into a fully transparent petri dish and passively allowed to cool to room temperature at which a solid was formed.

The final water levels and the water activity (A _w ) of the resulting solid compositions are given in the following table (Table B): Table B

The solid compositions according to Examples 1 to 8 were subsequently analyzed. First, the translucency was evaluated by eye. All solid compositions according to the

Examples were translucent (even transparent) and glossy. Figure 1 to 3 are

photographs taken from the solid composition of Example 1 , 4 and 5 respectively.

X-Ray Diffraction was used to assess the presence of crystals in the solid compositions. None of the solid compositions of the Examples showed detectable crystalline structures and were hence fully amorphous compositions. Figure 4 is a WAXS graph of Example 1 (according to the invention) showing no detectable presence of crystals.

The solids of Example 6 and 7 showed substantially improved plasticity when compared to the solid of Example 8

The glass transition temperature (T _g ) of the solid compositions was also analyzed. A relatively high T _g and given in the following table (Table C):

Table C. Glass transition temperature of the solid compositions. Numbers for each solid composition represent the averages of two independent measurements.

Examples 9 and 10

Solid compositions were made starting from an aqueous solution having a composition as set out in the following Table D. Table D

¹ GLDA: Dissolvine GL-47-S (Supplier: Akzo Nobel) is a 47 % solution of GLDA. The amount given in Table A is the amount of GLDA.

² Citric Acid: used as a 50 % solution. The amount given in Table A is the amount citric acid.

The solid compositions were prepared in the same was as described in Examples 1-8. Both solid compositions were found to be amorphous and translucent.

A 10 wt.% aqueous solution of the solid amorphous compositions was prepared and the pH of these solutions was determined at 25 degrees Celsius. The results are shown in Table E.

Table E