Is Acrylates/Steareth-20 Itaconate Copolymer natural? NOI 0.10

Q: Is Acrylates/Steareth-20 Itaconate Copolymer natural?

Acrylates/Steareth-20 Itaconate Copolymer has a Natural Origin Index (NOI) of 0.10 (scale 0–1) per ISO 16128. Itaconic acid is fermentation-derived; the steareth-20 portion is mostly petrochemical ethoxylate; the dominant acrylate/methacrylate backbone is fully petrochemical. An NOI of 0.10 means 10% of its molecular mass is traceable to a natural, renewable source.

How we scored it

Estimated composition ~75% acrylates/methacrylates (0.0) + 25% steareth-20 itaconate macromonomer (~0.35 natural); 0.25x0.35=0.09, rounded 0.10

What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

A synthetic thickening copolymer combining fermentation-derived itaconic acid, a stearyl-alcohol/ethylene-oxide macromonomer, and petrochemical acrylic acid or ester monomers. Exact monomer ratio is not disclosed by the supplier.

In plain English

A synthetic thickening polymer built from fermentation-derived itaconic acid, a fatty-alcohol/ethylene-oxide chain, and petrochemical acrylic building blocks. Controls the thickness and texture of creams and lotions.

CosIng definition: Copolymer formed from the half ester of methylenebutanedioic acid and poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),.alpha.-octadecyl-.omega.-hydroxy-, and one or more monomers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or one of their simple esters

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References

1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
2ACRYLATES/STEARETH-20 ITACONATE COPOLYMER. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
3ACRYLATES/STEARETH-20 ITACONATE COPOLYMER. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=ACRYLATES/STEARETH-20%20ITACONATE%20COPOLYMER