Design and development of biodegradable polymeric poly(carboxylic acids) as co‐builders for detergents

This paper outlines the requirements for truly acceptable biodegradable water-soluble polymers, in effect establishing the goals of a polymer synthesis program. The deficiencies of the current products are thus clearly identified. A brief review of the redundant approaches that have been made to develop biodegradable polymers will be followed by a description of the chemistry and environmental properties of poly(aspartic acid) which has been identified as meeting all the technical requirements for a biodegradable polymeric co-builder for detergents.