STABLE RHEOLOGY MODIFIER COMPOSITIONS

A dried rheology modifier composition comprises a swellable emulsion polymer and a water soluble support polymer. In one embodiment the swellable emulsion polymer is polymerized in the presence of the water soluble support polymer. In one embodiment the swellable emulsion polymer is blended with the water soluble support polymer. The drying can be accomplished by spray drying, resulting in a non-tacky powder having good shelf life. The dried rheology modifiers can be subjected to a further heat treatment which can result in a rheology modifier that imparts a short flow characteristic to product formulations. The swellable emulsion polymer can be alkali swellable or acid swellable. The water soluble support polymer can be a polysaccharide or a derivative thereof, or a polyvinyl acetate or derivative thereof.