PARTICULATE COMPOSITION

A particulate composition comprising, A) an organic phase change material, B) a water insoluble polymeric matrix comprising, B1) polymeric material containing repeating monomer units formed from i) at least one hydrophobic ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s), and ii) at least one hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s) which provides the polymeric material with pendent functional groups, and, B2) a cross-linking component derived from a cross-linking compound which has reacted with said pendent functional groups of the polymeric material, in which the organic phase change material (A) is distributed as a separate phase throughout the water insoluble polymeric matrix (B). The invention also relates to a process of providing a particulate composition employing the steps, 1) providing an aqueous phase containing dissolved polymeric material which polymeric material contains repeating monomer units of i) at least one hydrophobic ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s), and ii) at least one hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s) which provides the polymeric material with pendent functional groups, 2) emulsifying the organic phase change material into the aqueous phase to form an oil in water emulsion comprising a dispersed phase of organic phase change material and a continuous aqueous phase, 3) introducing a cross-linking compound, 4) subjecting the oil in water emulsion to spray drying to evaporate water and form the particulate composition. The particulate composition can be used in a variety of thermal energy regulation or storage applications in for instance textiles, foamed articles, construction articles and electrical equipment.