Polymerization processes and products and uses of the products

This invention relates to polymers made from water soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer or monomer blend, and in particular to dry granular polymers and their uses. Dry particulate polymeric products, generally spray dried granules, are made by reverse phase polymerization in a partially water miscible continuous phase in the presence of an ionizable stabilizer which is water soluble when ionized and water insoluble when unionized, with the result that all the contamination in the products can be water soluble or miscible. The products are of value as flocculants and viscosifiers, for instance for cosmetic or pharmaceutical clear gels.