EP4638681A1

EP4638681A1 - Process for providing a composition comprising at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent

Info

Publication number: EP4638681A1
Application number: EP23813408.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Matthias Voges; Heike Weber; Markus Hartmann; Christine Schmitt; Marta Reinoso Garcia; Bernhard LERCHE
Original assignee: BASF SE
Current assignee: BASF SE
Priority date: 2022-12-20
Filing date: 2023-11-29
Publication date: 2025-10-29
Also published as: WO2024132413A1; CN120418402A; JP2025540410A

Abstract

The present invention deals with a process for providing a composition comprising at least 45 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, a composition comprising at least 45 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, and its uses, e. g. in cleaning applications.

Description

Process for providing a composition comprising at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent

The invention also relates to a container comprising a detergent composition, the container comprising one or more compartments, comprising in at least one compartment at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent (A).

Complexing agents such as methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA) and glutamic acid diacetic acid (GLDA) and their respective alkali metal salts are useful sequestrants for alkaline earth metal ions such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. For that reason, they are recommended and used for various purposes such as laundry detergents and for automatic dishwashing (ADW) formulations, in particular for so-called phosphate-free laundry detergents and phosphate-free ADW formulations. For shipping such complexing agents, in most cases either solids such as granules are being applied or aqueous solutions.

Many industrial users wish to obtain complexing agents, e. g. in aqueous compositions, that are as highly concentrated as possible. The lower the concentration of the requested complexing agent, the more water is being shipped. Said water adds to the costs of transportation, and it may have to be removed later, depending on the formulation, e. g. liquid, solid.

Although about 40% by weight solutions of MGDA and even 45% or more (e. g. 55%) by weight solutions of GLDA can be made and stored at room temperature, local or temporarily colder solutions may lead to precipitation of the respective complexing agent, as well as nucleating by impurities. Said precipitations may lead to incrustations in pipes and containers, and/or to impurities or inhomogeneity during formulation.

Furthermore, some industrial users wish to use compositions of MGDA, e. g. aqueous compositions, which are easy to handle and/or which have a certain appearance, for example a gel-type appearance, which may also appeal to end-users (private consumers).

Aqueous formulations of complexing agents, in particular MGDA and GLDA, have been described, e. g. in WO 2016/083253 A1 , wherein a content of up to 60% by weight of complexing agents (sum of MGDA and GLDA contents) has been provided. However, aqueous compositions containing mainly or only MGDA in higher amounts have been difficult to obtain. Thus, there was a need in the art to provide a process for preparing compositions comprising elevated contents of complexing agents, in particular MGDA, for example in aqueous solutions.

Therefore, one objective of the present invention was to find a process by way of which compositions comprising elevated contents of complexing agents (e. g. MGDA), for example in aqueous solutions, may be prepared. Another objective was to provide compositions comprising elevated contents of complexing agents (e. g. MGDA), for example aqueous compositions, which are easy to handle (in storage, transporting and further use by industrial customers), and/or which exhibit a novel and/or attractive appearance.

In particular, it was an objective of the present invention to provide compositions comprising elevated contents of complexing agents - also referred to as chelating agents - (e. g. MGDA), for example aqueous compositions, which have the appearance of a paste, and a process for preparing such compositions. Another object of the present invention was to provide a container comprising a detergent composition which comprises at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent (A) in an elevated content, and which avoids the need of separating compounds which may be incompatible from each other in separate compartments of the container.

In the context of the present invention, the term “paste” refers to its everyday meaning, and is opposed to a solution (e. g. aqueous solution), and does not refer to a solid composition (e. g. a granule, powder or compactate), either. Furthermore, the paste preferably shows a shearthinning behavior.

Now, the inventors have surprisingly found that, by applying a process wherein water is removed under defined conditions from a solution or slurry of aminocarboxylate complexing agent (e. g.

MGDA), a highly concentrated composition comprising aminocarboxylate complexing agent may be provided, which has the appearance of a paste.

Thus, one object of the present invention is a process for providing an aqueous composition comprising at least 45 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, relative to the total weight of the composition, comprising the steps of

• Providing an aqueous solution or slurry with a content of at least 10 to 80 wt%, preferably 30 to 80 wt%, of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent in a vessel,

• Heating the solution or slurry to a temperature of at least 50° C, preferably at least 70° C, under stirring, preferably at normal pressure, • Removing at least part of the water at a pressure which is equal or smaller than the vapor pressure of the mixture at chosen temperature until a supersaturated solution regarding the orthorhombic solid phase is achieved,

• Optionally, Charging orthorhombic crystals into the reactor, at a temperature of at least 50 °C,

• Optionally, adding at least one further ingredient, optionally selected from the list consisting of polymers, colorants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, inorganic compounds,

• Optionally, keeping the solution or slurry under stirring for a period of time of at least 5 minutes, preferably at least 10 minutes,

• Optionally, further removal of water under stirring until a content of at least 45 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent is reached, and, optionally,

• Cooling the obtained composition to room temperature with stirring, and, optionally,

Charging the obtained composition into a pouch or into a mould, at room temperature or at elevated temperature.

Said aminocarboxylate complexing agent (A) is a racemic mixture or may be a mixture of the L- and D-enantiomers of methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA) or its respective mono-, di- or trialkali metal or mono-, di- or triammonium salts, said mixture containing predominantly the respective L-isomer with an enantiomeric excess (ee) in the range of from 0.1 to 85 %.

In a preferred embodiment of the inventive process, the aminocarboxylate complexing agent is selected from methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA), glutamic acid diacetic acid (GLDA), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS) and their alkali salts, preferably MGDA trisodium salt.

Preferably, the inventive composition (obtained or obtainable by the inventive process) comprises at least 50 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably at least 55 % by weight, more preferably 60 % by weight.

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive composition (obtained or obtainable by the inventive process) has a viscosity in the range of 30 to 5000 mPas, preferably 50 to 3000 mPas at a shear rate of 1 to 1000 1/s and, preferably, at a temperature in the range of 20° C to 90°C,. The viscosity may be determined with aRheometer (e.g. Anton Paar MCR series using coaxial cylinder system). This inventive composition shows a shear-thinning behavior. This means the inventive composition has a viscosity at a shear rate of 10 1/s which is bigger than the viscosity at a shear rate of 100 1/s. The inventive composition has a viscosity at a shear rate of 100 11s which is bigger than the viscosity at a shear rate of 1000 1/s.

In another preferred embodiment, the inventive composition (obtained or obtainable by the inventive process) has a pH value in the range of 9 to 14, preferably 10 to 14 or in the range of 10 to 13. The pH value may be determined as a 1 % diluted solution.

Preferably, the inventive composition (obtained or obtainable by the inventive process) has a residual moisture content in the range of 15 to 50 %, preferably 20 to 50 %. The residual moisture by weight is determined by drying at 200°C for 1 hour at a Thermo balance, for example the METTLER-TOLEDO HX204. .

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive composition (obtained or obtainable by the inventive process) has the appearance of a paste.

Furthermore, preferably, the inventive composition (obtained or obtainable by the inventive process) shows a shear-thinning property.

In another preferred embodiment, the inventive composition (obtained or obtainable by the inventive process) has a degree of crystallinity of at least 20 %, preferably at least 25 %, as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, the inventive composition preferably has a content of orthorhombic crystals of at least 50%, preferably 70 %, more preferably at least 90%, as determined by XRD and relative to the content of the crystalline phase.

The percentages of polymorphs as well as the percentage of crystalline versus amorphous salt were determined by X-ray diffraction. The X-ray powder diffractometer measurements were carried out on a D8 Advance® diffractometer from Bruker AXS (Karlsruhe). In reflection with Cu- K a-radiation was measured with a variable diaphragm adjustment on the primary side and on the secondary side. The measurement range was 2° to 80° 2-theta, the step width 0.01 ° and the measurement time per angle step 3.6 seconds. Based on the software TOPAS from Bruker optics, the relative amounts of the polymorphic forms of were determined.

The XRD may in one embodiment be done as a powder-X ray- diffractometry, for example on a D8 Advance Series 2 apparatus with multiple sample chanber. Primary sided: Cu anode, divergence cover 0..1 ° with ASS; secondary sided: scattered beam cover 8mm with Ni 0.5 mm. Soller 4° + Lynx eye (3° opening).

A further object of the present invention is also a composition, preferably as described in any one of the preceding paragraphs, comprising at least 45 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, preferably at least 50 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably MGDA or its sodium salts, preferably with a viscosity of in the range of 30 to 5000 mPas, preferably 50 to 3000 mPas at a shear rate of 1 to 1000 1/s, and/or with a pH value in the range of 9 to 14, preferably 10 to 14, and/or showing a shear-thinning property, and/or with the appearance of a paste.

One embodiment of the inventive composition has the appearance of a paste and comprises at least 45 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, preferably at least 50 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably MGDA or its sodium salts, preferably with a viscosity of in the range of 30 to 5000 mPas, preferably 50 to 3000 mPas at a shear rate of 1 to 1000 1/s, and/or with a pH value in the range of 9 to 14, preferably 10 to 14, and optionally shows a shear-thinning property.

A further embodiment of the inventive composition shows a shear-thinning behaviour and comprises at least 45 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, preferably at least 50 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably MGDA or its sodium salts, preferably with a viscosity of in the range of 30 to 5000 mPas, preferably 50 to 3000 mPas at a shear rate of 1 to 1000 1/s, and/or with a pH value in the range of 9 to 14, preferably 10 to 14, and, optionally, has the appearance of a paste.

A further embodiment of the inventive composition shows a shear-thinning behaviour, has the appearance of a paste and comprises at least 45 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, preferably at least 50 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably MGDA or its sodium salts, preferably with a viscosity of in the range of 30 to 5000 mPas, preferably 50 to 3000 mPas at a shear rate of 1 to 1000 1/s, and preferably has a pH value in the range of 9 to 14.

In one embodiment of the inventive composition, the composition consists of at at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, preferably MGDA or its sodium salts, and water. In other words, in this embodiment, the inventive composition contains no other components but aminocarboxylate complexing agents and water. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive composition consists of MGDA and water only. Another object of the present invention is a composition comprising at least 45 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably MGDA or its sodium salts, obtained or obtainable by the inventive process.

Yet another object of the present invention is the use of an inventive composition (preferably obtainable or obtained by the inventive process) in cleaning applications, preferably dishwashing applications, more preferably automatic dishwashing applications.

A further object of the present invention is also a cleaning agent, preferably selected from dishwashing and laundry detergents, more preferably dishwashing detergents, particularly automatic dishwashing detergents, comprising an inventive composition comprising at least 45 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent as described, preferably obtained or obtainable by the inventive process, and optionally an antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of 2-phenoxyethanol; preferably comprising said antimicrobial agent in an amount ranging from 2 ppm to 5% by weight of the composition; more preferably comprising 0.1 to 2% of phenoxyethanol.

Furthermore, an object of the present invention is also a container comprising a detergent composition, preferably a single unit dose of a detergent composition, more preferably a dishwashing detergent composition, the container comprising one or more compartments, comprising in at least one compartment at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent (A), wherein the complexing agent (A) is present in an amount of at least 45% by weight, relative to the total weight of the total of the detergent composition in the container, wherein the at least one complexing agent (A) isevenly distributed in one or more compartments of the container within an aqueous medium (M), and having, at ambient temperature, the form of a gel-type and/or the appearance of a paste, and wherein, in case of more than one complexing agent (A), the different complexing agents (A) can be mixed in one compartment or can be separated into two or more separate compartments, in case more than one compartment is present, said aminocarboxylate complexing agent (A), preferably, being at least one alkali metal salt of methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA), and wherein said aminocarboxylate complexing agent (A) is, preferably, partially neutralized with alkali, and wherein, optionally, the aqueous medium (M) additionally comprises, preferably evenly distributed in one or more compartments of the container, at least one further component, selected from surfactants, alkali metal silicates, polymers, preferably selected from polycarboxylates and polyaspartic acid, said container is, preferably, made from a polymer, and wherein the detergent composition furthermore comprises, optionally, sodium hydroxide, percarbonates, enzymes, and/or polymers.

In an embodiment of the inventive container, the aqueous medium (M) including the aminocarboxylate complexing agent (A) has a viscosity of in the range of 30 to 5000 mPas at a shear rate of 1 to 1000 1/s in the temperature range of 20° to 90° C, and a pH value in the range of 9 to 14, and shows a shear-thinning property, and/or has the appearance of a paste.

In a further embodiment of the inventive container, said container encompasses only one compartment, comprising the entire detergent composition.

In another embodiment of the inventive container, said container encompasses at least two compartments, wherein one compartment (C1) contains aminocarboxylate complexing agents (A) in an aqueous medium which, including the aminocarboxylate complexing agent (A), is of gel-type and/or with the appearance of a paste at ambient temperature, and at least one further compartment (C2) which contains a solid composition and/or at least one further compartment (C3) which is of a gel-type and/or is with the appearance of paste, wherein compartment (C2) and/or compartment (C3), separately from each other, contain at least one component selected from surfactants, polymers, builders and enzymes.

Applications/formulations

Inventive compositions (i. e. compositions which may be or have been obtained by the inventive process) are excellently suited for the manufacture of laundry detergents or cleaners.

Another aspect of the present invention is therefore the use of inventive (aqueous) compositions for the manufacture of a cleaning agent that may contain at least one bleaching agent, for example for the manufacture of cleaning agent for fibers or hard surfaces, wherein said cleaning agent contains at least one peroxy compound. Another aspect of the present invention is a process for making at a cleaning agent by combining inventive compositions with at least one bleaching agent, preferably at least one peroxy compound. Another aspect of the present invention is a cleaning agent, hereinafter also being referred to as inventive cleaning agent. Inventive cleaning agents may contain at least one bleaching agent and inventive compositions. Inventive cleaning agents show a reduced tendency for yellowing and therefore have an extended shelf-life.

Examples of suitable peroxy compounds are sodium perborate, anhydrous or for example as monohydrate or as tetrahydrate or so-called dihydrate, sodium percarbonate, anhydrous or, for example, as monohydrate, hydrogen peroxide, persulfates, organic peracids such as peroxylauric acid, peroxystearic acid, peroxy-a-naphthoic acid, 1 ,12-diperoxydodecanedioic acid, perbenzoic acid, peroxylauric acid, 1 ,9-diperoxyazelaic acid, diperoxyisophthalic acid, in each case as free acid or as alkali metal salt, in particular as sodium salt, also sulfonylperoxy acids and cationic peroxy acids.

In a preferred embodiment, peroxy compound is selected from inorganic percarbonates, persulfates and perborates. Examples of sodium percarbonates are 2 Na₂CO₃ 3 H₂O₂. Examples of sodium perborate are (Na₂[B(OH)₂(O₂)]₂), sometimes written as NaBO₂ O₂ 3H₂O instead. Most preferred peroxy compound is sodium percarbonate.

The term “cleaning agents” includes compositions for dishwashing, especially hand dishwash and automatic dishwashing and ware-washing, and compositions for hard surface cleaning such as, but not limited to compositions for bathroom cleaning, kitchen cleaning, floor cleaning, descaling of pipes, window cleaning, car cleaning including truck cleaning, furthermore, open plant cleaning, cleaning-in-place, metal cleaning, disinfectant cleaning, farm cleaning, high pressure cleaning, and in addition, laundry detergent compositions.

Such cleaning agents may be liquids, gels or solids at ambient temperature. They may be in the form of a powder or in the form of a unit dose, for example as a tablet.

In one embodiment of the present invention, inventive cleaning agents may contain in the range of from 2 to 50 % by weight of inventive compositions, in the range of from 0.5 to 15 % by weight of bleach.

Percentages are based on the dry content of the respective inventive cleaning agent.

Inventive cleaning agents may contain further ingredients such as one or more surfactants that may be selected from non-ionic, zwitterionic, cationic, and anionic surfactants. Other ingredients that may be contained in inventive cleaning agents may be selected from bleach activators, bleach catalysts, corrosion inhibitors, sequestering agents other than chelating agent (A), enzymes, fragrances, dyestuffs, antifoams, and builders. Particularly advantageous inventive cleaning agents may contain one or more complexing agents other than MGDA or GLDA. Advantageous detergent compositions for cleaners and advantageous laundry detergent compositions may contain one or more sequestrant (chelating agent) other than a mixture according to the present invention. Examples for sequestrants other than a mixture according to the present invention are IDS (iminodisuccinate), citrate, phosphonic acid derivatives, for example the disodium salt of hydroxyethane-1 ,1-diphosphonic acid (“HEDP”), and polymers with complexing groups like, for example, polyethyleneimine in which 20 to 90 mole-% of the N-atoms bear at least one CH₂COO' group, and their respective alkali metal salts, especially their sodium salts, for example IDS-Na₄, and trisodium citrate, and phosphates such as STPP (sodium tripolyphosphate). Due to the fact that phosphates raise environmental concerns, it is preferred that advantageous inventive cleaning agents are free from phosphate. "Free from phosphate" should be understood in the context of the present invention, as meaning that the content of phosphate and polyphosphate is in sum in the range from 10 ppm to 0.2% by weight, determined by gravimetric methods and referring to the respective inventive cleaning agent.

Inventive cleaning agents may contain one or more surfactant, preferably one or more non-ionic surfactant.

Preferred non-ionic surfactants are alkoxylated alcohols, di- and multiblock copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and reaction products of sorbitan with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, alkyl polyglycosides (APG), hydroxyalkyl mixed ethers and amine oxides.

Preferred examples of alkoxylated alcohols and alkoxylated fatty alcohols are, for example, compounds of the general formula (II) in which the variables are defined as follows:

R¹ is identical or different and selected from hydrogen and linear Ci-C -alkyl, preferably in each case identical and ethyl and particularly preferably hydrogen or methyl,

R² is selected from C₈-C₂2-alkyl, branched or linear, for example n-C₈Hi₇, n-Ci₀H₂i, n-Ci₂H₂₅, n-Ci4H₂9, n-CisHss or n-Ci₈H₈7, R³ is selected from Ci-C -alkyl, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, sec-pentyl, neopentyl, 1 ,2-dimethylpropyl, isoamyl, n-hexyl, isohexyl, sec-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl or isodecyl, m and n are in the range from zero to 300, where the sum of n and m is at least one, preferably in the range of from 3 to 50. Preferably, m is in the range from 1 to 100 and n is in the range from 0 to 30.

In one embodiment, compounds of the general formula (II) may be block copolymers or random copolymers, preference being given to block copolymers.

Other preferred examples of alkoxylated alcohols are, for example, compounds of the general formula (III) in which the variables are defined as follows:

R¹ is identical or different and selected from hydrogen and linear Ci-Co-alkyl, preferably identical in each case and ethyl and particularly preferably hydrogen or methyl,

R⁴ is selected from C₆-C₂o-alkyl, branched or linear, in particular n-C₈Hi7, n-Ci₀H₂i, n-Ci₂H₂₅, n-Ci4H₂9, n-CieHss, n-CisHs?, a is a number in the range from zero to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, b is a number in the range from 1 to 80, preferably from 4 to 20, d is a number in the range from zero to 50, preferably 4 to 25.

The sum a + b + d is preferably in the range of from 5 to 100, even more preferably in the range of from 9 to 50.

Preferred examples for hydroxyalkyl mixed ethers are compounds of the general formula (IV) in which the variables are defined as follows:

R² is selected from C₈-C₂2-alkyl, branched or linear, for example iso-CnH₂3, iso-Ci₃H₂7, n- CSHIY, n-C H₂i, n-Ci₂H₂5, n-Ci4H₂g, n-CisHss or n-Ci₈H₈7,

R³ is selected from Ci-Ci₈-alkyl, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, sec-pentyl, neopentyl, 1 ,2-dimethylpropyl, isoamyl, n-hexyl, isohexyl, sec-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, isodecyl, n-dodecyl, n- tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, and n-octadecyl.

The variables m and n are in the range from zero to 300, where the sum of n and m is at least one, preferably in the range of from 5 to 50. Preferably, m is in the range from 1 to 100 and n is in the range from 0 to 30.

Compounds of the general formula (II) and (III) may be block copolymers or random copolymers, preference being given to block copolymers.

Further suitable nonionic surfactants are selected from di- and multiblock copolymers, composed of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Further suitable nonionic surfactants are selected from ethoxylated or propoxylated sorbitan esters. Amine oxides or alkyl polyglycosides, especially linear C₄-Ci6-alkyl polyglucosides and branched C₈-Ci₄-alkyl polyglycosides such as compounds of general average formula (V) are likewise suitable. wherein the variables are defined as follows:

R⁵ is Ci-C₄-alkyl, in particular ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl,

R⁶ is -(CH₂)₂-R⁵,

G¹ is selected from monosaccharides with 4 to 6 carbon atoms, especially from glucose and xylose, y in the range of from 1.1 to 4, y being an average number. Further examples of non-ionic surfactants are compounds of general formula (VII) and (VIII)

AO is selected from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and butylene oxide,

EO is ethylene oxide, CH₂CH₂-O,

R⁸ selected from C₈-Ci₈-alkyl, branched or linear, and R⁵ is defined as above.

A³O is selected from propylene oxide and butylene oxide, w is a number in the range of from 15 to 70, preferably 30 to 50, w1 and w3 are numbers in the range of from 1 to 5, and w2 is a number in the range of from 13 to 35.

An overview of suitable further nonionic surfactants can be found in EP-A 0 851 023 and in DE- A 198 19 187.

Mixtures of two or more different nonionic surfactants may also be present.

Other surfactants that may be present are selected from amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants and anionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.

Examples of amphoteric surfactants are those that bear a positive and a negative charge in the same molecule under use conditions. Preferred examples of amphoteric surfactants are so- called betaine-surfactants. Many examples of betaine-surfactants bear one quaternized nitrogen atom and one carboxylic acid group per molecule. A particularly preferred example of amphoteric surfactants is cocamidopropyl betaine (lauramidopropyl betaine). Examples of amine oxide surfactants are compounds of the general formula (IX)

R⁷R⁸R⁹I\ O (IX) wherein R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are selected independently from each other from aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or C₂-C4-alkylene Cio-C₂o-alkylamido moieties. Preferably, R⁷ is selected from C₈-C₂₀-alkyl or C₂- C₄-alkylene Cio-C₂₀-alkylamido and R⁸ and R⁹ are both methyl.

A particularly preferred example is lauryl dimethyl aminoxide, sometimes also called lauramine oxide. A further particularly preferred example is cocamidylpropyl dimethylaminoxide, sometimes also called cocamidopropylamine oxide.

Examples of suitable anionic surfactants are alkali metal and ammonium salts of C₈-Ci₈-alkyl sulfates, of C₈-Ci₈-fatty alcohol polyether sulfates, of sulfuric acid half-esters of ethoxylated C₄- Ci₂-alkylphenols (ethoxylation: 1 to 50 mol of ethylene oxide/mol), Ci₂-Ci₈ sulfo fatty acid alkyl esters, for example of Ci₂-Ci₈ sulfo fatty acid methyl esters, furthermore of Ci₂-Ci₈-alkylsulfonic acids and of C -Cis-alkylarylsulfonic acids. Preference is given to the alkali metal salts of the aforementioned compounds, particularly preferably the sodium salts.

Further examples for suitable anionic surfactants are soaps, for example the sodium or potassium salts of stearoic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, ether carboxylates, and alkylether phosphates.

Preferably, laundry detergent compositions contain at least one anionic surfactant.

In one embodiment of the present invention, inventive cleaning agents that are determined to be used as laundry detergent compositions may contain 0.1 to 60 % by weight of at least one surfactant, selected from anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and amine oxide surfactants.

In one embodiment of the present invention, inventive cleaning agents that are determined to be used for hard surface cleaning may contain 0.1 to 60 % by weight of at least one surfactant, selected from anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and amine oxide surfactants.

In a preferred embodiment, inventive cleaning agents do not contain any anionic detergent.

Inventive cleaning agents may comprise one or more bleach catalysts. Bleach catalysts can be selected from bleach-boosting transition metal salts or transition metal complexes such as, for example, manganese-, iron-, cobalt-, ruthenium- or molybdenum-salen complexes or carbonyl complexes. Manganese, iron, cobalt, ruthenium, molybdenum, titanium, vanadium and copper complexes with nitrogen-containing tripod ligands and also cobalt-, iron-, copper- and rutheniumamine complexes can also be used as bleach catalysts.

Inventive cleaning agents may comprise one or more bleach activators, for example N- methylmorpholinium-acetonitrile salts (“MMA salts”), trimethylammonium acetonitrile salts, N- acylimides such as, for example, N-nonanoylsuccinimide, 1 ,5-diacetyl-2,2-dioxohexahydro-1 ,3,5- triazine (“DADHT”) or nitrile quats (trimethylammonium acetonitrile salts).

Further examples of suitable bleach activators are tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) and tetraacetylhexylenediamine.

Inventive cleaning agents may comprise one or more corrosion inhibitors. In the present case, this is to be understood as including those compounds which inhibit the corrosion of metal. Examples of suitable corrosion inhibitors are triazoles, in particular benzotriazoles, bisbenzotriazoles, aminotriazoles, alkylaminotriazoles, also phenol derivatives such as, for example, hydroquinone, pyrocatechol, hydroxyhydroquinone, gallic acid, phloroglucinol or pyrogallol.

In one embodiment of the present invention, inventive cleaning agents comprise in total in the range from 0.1 to 1 .5% by weight of corrosion inhibitor.

Inventive cleaning agents may comprise one or more builders, selected from organic and inorganic builders. Examples of suitable inorganic builders are sodium sulfate or sodium carbonate or silicates, in particular sodium disilicate and sodium metasilicate, zeolites, sheet silicates, in particular those of the formula a-Na2Si2Os, (3-Na2Si2Os, and 5-Na2Si2Os, also fatty acid sulfonates, a-hydroxypropionic acid, alkali metal malonates, fatty acid sulfonates, alkyl and alkenyl disuccinates, tartaric acid diacetate, tartaric acid monoacetate, oxidized starch, and polymeric builders, for example polycarboxylates, polyaspartic acid or polyepoxysuccinic acid.

Examples of organic builders are especially polymers and copolymers other such as (co)polymers (B) and include polymers and copolymers than (co)polymer (B), or one additional (co)polymer (B). In one embodiment of the present invention, organic builders are selected from polycarboxylates, for example alkali metal salts of (meth)acrylic acid homopolymers or (meth)acrylic acid copolymers, partially or completely neutralized with alkali.

Suitable comonomers for (meth)acrylic acid are monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids such as maleic acid, fumaric acid, maleic anhydride, itaconic acid and citraconic acid. A suitable polymer is in particular polyacrylic acid, which preferably has an average molecular weight M_w in the range from 2000 to 40 000 g/mol, preferably 2000 to 10 000 g/mol, in particular 3000 to 8000 g/mol. Also of suitability are copolymeric polycarboxylates, in particular those of acrylic acid with methacrylic acid and of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid with maleic acid and/or fumaric acid, and in the same range of molecular weight.

It is also possible to use copolymers of at least one monomer from the group consisting of monoethylenically unsaturated C₃-Cio-mono- or C₄-Cio-dicarboxylic acids or anhydrides thereof, such as maleic acid, maleic anhydride, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid and citraconic acid, with at least one hydrophilic or hydrophobic monomer as listed below.

Suitable hydrophobic monomers are, for example, isobutene, diisobutene, butene, pentene, hexene and styrene, olefins with 10 or more carbon atoms or mixtures thereof, such as, for example, 1 -decene, 1 -dodecene, 1 -tetradecene, 1 -hexadecene, 1 -octadecene, 1-eicosene, 1- docosene, 1-tetracosene and 1-hexacosene, C₂2-a-olefin, a mixture of C₂o-C₂₄-a-olefins and polyisobutene having on average 12 to 100 carbon atoms per molecule.

Suitable hydrophilic monomers are monomers with sulfonate or phosphonate groups, and also nonionic monomers with hydroxyl function or alkylene oxide groups. By way of example, mention may be made of: allyl alcohol, isoprenol, methoxypolyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate, methoxypolypropylene glycol (meth)acrylate, methoxypolybutylene glycol (meth)acrylate, methoxypoly(propylene oxide-co-ethylene oxide) (meth)acrylate, ethoxypolyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate, ethoxypolypropylene glycol (meth)acrylate, ethoxypolybutylene glycol (meth)acrylate and ethoxypoly(propylene oxide-co-ethylene oxide) (meth)acrylate. Polyalkylene glycols here may comprise 3 to 50, in particular 5 to 40 and especially 10 to 30 alkylene oxide units per molecule.

Particularly preferred sulfonic-acid-group-containing monomers here are 1-acrylamido-

1 -propanesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-propanesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-

2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-methacrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid,

3-methacrylamido-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid, allylsulfonic acid, methallylsulfonic acid, allyloxybenzenesulfonic acid, methallyloxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxy- 3-(2-propenyloxy)propanesulfonic acid, 2-methyl-2-propene-1 -sulfonic acid, styrenesulfonic acid, vinylsulfonic acid, 3-sulfopropyl acrylate, 2-sulfoethyl methacrylate, 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate, sulfomethacrylamide, sulfomethylmethacrylamide, and salts of said acids, such as sodium, potassium or ammonium salts thereof.

Particularly preferred phosphonate-group-containing monomers are vinylphosphonic acid and its salts. A further example of builders is carboxymethyl inulin.

Moreover, amphoteric polymers can also be used as builders.

Inventive cleaning agents may comprise, for example, in the range from in total 10 to 70% by weight, preferably from in total 10 to 50% by weight, more preferably up to 20% by weight, of builder.

In one embodiment of the present invention, inventive cleaning agents according to the invention may comprise one or more co-builders.

Inventive cleaning agents may comprise one or more antifoams, selected for example from silicone oils and paraffin oils.

In one embodiment of the present invention, inventive cleaning agents comprise in total in the range from 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of antifoam.

Inventive cleaning agents may comprise one or more enzymes. Examples of enzymes are lipases, hydrolases, amylases, proteases, cellulases, esterases, pectinases, lactases and peroxidases.

In one embodiment of the present invention, inventive cleaning agents may comprise, for example, up to 5% by weight of enzyme, preference being given to 0.1 to 3% by weight. Said enzyme may be stabilized, for example with the sodium salt of at least one Ci-C₃-carboxylic acid or C₄-Cio-dicarboxylic acid. Preferred are formates, acetates, adipates, and succinates.

In one embodiment of the present invention, inventive cleaning agents may comprise at least one zinc salt. Zinc salts can be selected from water-soluble and water-insoluble zinc salts. In this connection, within the context of the present invention, water-insoluble is used to refer to those zinc salts which, in distilled water at 25°C, have a solubility of 0.1 g/l or less. Zinc salts which have a higher solubility in water are accordingly referred to within the context of the present invention as water-soluble zinc salts.

In one embodiment of the present invention, zinc salt is selected from zinc benzoate, zinc gluconate, zinc lactate, zinc formate, ZnCI₂, ZnSO₄, zinc acetate, zinc citrate, Zn(NO₃)2, Zn(CH₃SO₃)₂ and zinc gallate, preferably ZnCI₂, ZnSO₄, zinc acetate, zinc citrate, Zn(NO₃)₂, Zn(CH₃SO₃)₂ and zinc gallate.

In another embodiment of the present invention, zinc salt is selected from ZnO, ZnO aq, Zn(OH)₂ and ZnCO₃. Preference is given to ZnO aq. In one embodiment of the present invention, zinc salt is selected from zinc oxides with an average particle diameter (weight-average) in the range from 10 nm to 100 pm.

The cation in zinc salt can be present in complexed form, for example complexed with ammonia ligands or water ligands, and in particular be present in hydrated form. To simplify the notation, within the context of the present invention, ligands are generally omitted if they are water ligands.

Depending on how the pH value of mixture according to the invention is adjusted, zinc salt can change. Thus, it is for example possible to use zinc acetate or ZnCI₂ for preparing formulation according to the invention, but this converts at a pH of 8 or 9 in an aqueous environment to ZnO, Zn(OH)₂ or ZnO aq, which can be present in non-complexed or in complexed form.

Zinc salt may be present in those inventive cleaning agents that are solid at room temperature. In such inventive cleaning agents zinc salts are preferably present in the form of particles which have for example an average diameter (number-average) in the range from 10 nm to 100 pm, preferably 100 nm to 5 pm, determined for example by X-ray scattering.

Zinc salt may be present in those inventive cleaning agents that are liquid at room temperature. In such inventive cleaning agents zinc salts are preferably present in dissolved or in solid or in colloidal form.

In one embodiment of the present invention, inventive cleaning agents comprise in total in the range from 0.05 to 0.4% by weight of zinc salt, based in each case on the dry content of the cleaning agent in question.

Here, the fraction of zinc salt is given as zinc or zinc ions. From this, it is possible to calculate the counterion fraction.

In one embodiment of the present invention, inventive cleaning agents may comprise zinc salts, in combination with polyethylene imine.

In one embodiment of the present invention, inventive cleaning agents may comprise bismuth salts, for example in combination with polyethylene imine.

In another embodiment of the present invention, inventive cleaning agents are free from heavy metals apart from zinc compounds. Within the context of the present, this may be understood as meaning that inventive cleaning agents are free from those heavy metal compounds which do not act as bleach catalysts, in particular of compounds of iron and of bismuth. Within the context of the present invention, "free from" in connection with heavy metal compounds is to be understood as meaning that the content of heavy metal compounds which do not act as bleach catalysts is in sum in the range from 0 to 100 ppm, determined by the leach method and based on the dry content. Preferably, inventive cleaning agents has, apart from zinc, a heavy metal content below 0.05 ppm, based on the dry content of the formulation in question. The fraction of zinc is thus not included.

Within the context of the present invention, "heavy metals" are deemed to be all metals with a specific density of at least 6 g/cm³ with the exception of zinc. In particular, the heavy metals are metals such as bismuth, iron, copper, lead, tin, nickel, cadmium and chromium.

Preferably, inventive cleaning agents comprise no measurable fractions of bismuth compounds, for example less than 1 ppm.

Inventive cleaning agents are excellent for cleaning hard surfaces and fibres. For example, they may be used in dishwashing applications, preferably automatic dishwashing applications.

In one embodiment of the present invention, inventive cleaning agents comprise one or more further ingredient such as fragrances, dyestuffs, organic solvents, buffers, disintegrants for tablets (“tabs”), and/or acids such as methylsulfonic acid.

From inventive aqueous compositions, examplary detergent compositions for automatic dishwashing detergents can be formulated by mixing the respective components according to the following Table F.

Table F: Example detergent compositions for automatic dishwashing

The exemplary detergent compositions for automatic dishwashing above may additionally comprise polymers (as described in detail above). Furthermore, the exemplary detergent compositions for automatic dishwashing above may, in one embodiment, also be free from citrate and/or HEDP.

Laundry detergents according to the invention are useful for laundering any type of laundry, and any type of fibres. Fibres can be of natural or synthetic origin, or they can be mixtures of natural of natural and synthetic fibres. Examples of fibers of natural origin are cotton and wool.

Examples for fibers of synthetic origin are polyurethane fibers such as Spandex® or Lycra®, polyester fibers, or polyamide fibers. Fibers may be single fibers or parts of textiles such as knitwear, wovens, or nonwovens.

Another aspect of the present invention is a process for making tablets for automatic dishwashing from a powder or granule, wherein said granule or powder may be obtained from the inventive compositions. Said process is hereinafter also referred to as pelletizing process according to the invention.

Inventive tablets are preferably made with the help of a machine, for example a tablet press.

The pelletizing process according to the invention can be carried out by mixing inventive granule or powder with at least one non-ionic surfactant and optionally one or more further substance and then compressing the mixture to give tablets. Examples of suitable non-ionic surfactants and further substances such as builders, enzymes are listed above. Particularly preferred examples of non-ionic surfactants are hydroxy mixed ethers, for example hydroxy mixed ethers of the general formula (V).

Some aspects of the present invention are further illustrated by the following, non-limiting working examples. Working examples

Percentages refer to % by weight unless expressly noted otherwise.

First series of examples

Example 1:

4805 g of an aqueous composition containing MGDA (40% Fe-BV (MGDA trisodium salt), pH 10.5) was charged into a crystallization vessel equipped with three-stage pitch-blade turbine (Diameter of each stirrer stage was 900 mm), baffles, seeding funnel, condenser and a vacuum pump.

The composition was heated to 90° C under stirring at 400 rpm.

1016 g of water was evaporated within 3 hours under vacuum conditions (start of evaporation at 570 mbar abs, end of evaporation 505 mbar abs) under stirring at 400 rpm. The obtained solution had a concentration of 50.4% Fe-BV (MGDA trisodium salt).

40 g of orthorhombic crystals were charged at normal pressure at 90° C under stirring at 400 rpm. After a period of 20 min under stirring at 400 rpm, a slurry is obtained.

287 g of water was evaporated within 4 hours under vacuum conditions (start of evaporation at 505 mbar abs, end of evaporation at 470 mbar abs) under stirring at 400 rpm. The obtained slurry had a concentration of 55% Fe-BV (MGDA trisodium salt).

The obtained slurry was treated in different ways.

The slurry was discharged into a flask and passively let cool down to room temperature (25 °C)without stirring. The so obtained slurry was not flowable anymore by turning the flask upside down.

A part of 40 g of the slurry at 90°C was discharged and filled directly into a pouch, the pouch was sealed and let cool down to room temperature.

The remaining slurry in the vessel was cooled down to room temperature (25 °C) under stirring at 400 rpm and removed from the vessel at room temperature. The so obtained slurry, which has the appearance of a paste, remains flowable even for more than one week by turning the flask upside down. A part of 40 g of the slurry was filled into a pouch (made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)), the pouch was sealed. Example 2:

4382 g of an aqueous composition containing MGDA (40% Fe-BV (MGDA trisodium salt)) was charged into a crystallization vessel equipped with three-stage pitch-blade turbine (Diameter of each stirrer stage was 900 mm), baffles, seeding funnel, condenser and a vacuum pump.

The composition was heated to 70° C under stirring at 400 rpm.

645 g of water was evaporated within 2.15 hours under vacuum conditions under stirring at 400 rpm. The obtained solution had a concentration of 47% Fe-BV (MGDA trisodium salt).

13 g of orthorhombic crystals were charged at normal pressure at 70° C under stirring at 400 rpm. After a period of 30 min under stirring at 400 rpm, a slurry is obtained.

A small amount of water <1 g was further evaporated under stirring at 400 rpm. The obtained slurry had a concentration of 47% Fe-BV (MGDA trisodium salt).

The slurry in the vessel was cooled down to room temperature (25 °C) under stirring at 400 rpm within 3 hours, stirred for 12 hours at room temperature at 400 rpm, and removed from the vessel at room temperature into a flask. The so obtained slurry, which has the appearance of a paste, remains a flowable when turning the flask upside down. The viscosity of the slurry was measured at different shear rates at room temperature by using a rheometer from Anton Paar (MCR series) with a coaxial cylinder system. The data are summarized in the following table.

The product showed a shear-thinning behavior.

Example 3:

4310 g of an aqueous composition containing MGDA (40% Fe-BV (MGDA trisodium salt)) was charged into a crystallization vessel equipped with three-stage pitch-blade turbine (Diameter of each stirrer stage was 900 mm), baffles, seeding funnel, condenser and a vacuum pump.

The composition was heated to 70° C under stirring at 400 rpm. 770 g of water was evaporated within 2.5 hours under vacuum conditions under stirring at 400 rpm. The obtained solution had a concentration of 49% Fe-BV (MGDA trisodium salt).

The slurry in the vessel was cooled down to 50°C under stirring at 400 rpm within 2 hours and removed from the vessel into a flask. The so obtained slurry, which has the appearance of a paste, remains a flowable when turning the flask upside down. The viscosity of the slurry was measured at different shear rates at 50°C by using a rheometer from Anton Paar (MCR series) with a coaxial cylinder system. The data are summarized in the following table.

The product showed a shear-thinning behavior.

Further examples (series no. 2)

In a second series of (non-limiting) experiments, applications of the inventive composition containing aminocarboxylate chelating agent were reviewed.

The inventive composition with the appearance of a paste was filled into a mould or into a pouch. The inventive composition with the appearance of a paste was also filled into a mould or pouch together with other compounds, e. g. dye, a polymer, a surfactant, sodium silicate (water glass), and/or percarbonate.

It was found that components that are usually not well compatible with each other - e. g. the aminocarboxylate chelating agent MGDA and percarbonate - can be formulated together without the usual problems, e. g. of yellowing. This can be ascertained, for example, by performing storage tests and measuring the coloring (b value) after certain defined time intervals. Example A

An aqueous composition comprising MGDA (39.6 % by weight) was provided and a sulfonated polycarboxylate polymer (sodium salt) was gradually dissolved therein under stirring at 80° C (final ratio of MGDA and polymer 94:6 (wt/wt)) until a content of ca. 59 % by weight of MGDA (FeBV, MGDA trisodium salt) was obtained. The result was a composition with the appearance of a paste.

Approximately 15 g of the composition was filled into a silicon mould, which led to an evenly distributed, smooth surface.

Example B

Example A was repeated, but the resulting composition was filled into a pouch (made of PVOH). The so obtained pouch showed an even distribution of the composition within the pouch and was almost transparent.

Example C

Example A was repeated.

Approximately 15 g of the composition was filled into a silicon mould, and 0.5 g of sodium percarbonate was sprinkled onto the surface of the moulded composition. No yellowing of the moulded composition was observed at the border of the percarbonate pearls.

Claims

Patent claims

1 . Process for providing an aqueous composition comprising at least 45 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, relative to the total weight of the composition, comprising the steps of

• Heating the solution or slurry to a temperature of at least 50° C, preferably at least 70° C, under stirring, preferably at normal pressure,

• Removing at least part of the water at a pressure which is equal or smaller than the vapor pressure of the mixture at chosen temperature until a supersaturated solution regarding the orthorhombic solid phase is achieved,

• Preferably, further removal of water under stirring until a content of at least 45 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent is reached, and, optionally,

• Charging the obtained composition into a pouch or into a mould, at room temperature or at elevated temperature.

2. Process according to claim 1 , wherein the aminocarboxylate complexing agent is selected from methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA), glutamic acid diacetic acid (GLDA), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS) and their alkali salts, preferably MGDA trisodium salt.

3. Process according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition comprises at least 50 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably at least 55 % by weight, more preferably 60 % by weight.

4. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition has a viscosity in the range of 30 to 5000 mPas, preferably 50 to 3000 mPas at a shear rate of 1000 to 1 1/s and at a temperature in the range of 20° C to 90°C, and the composition shows a shear-thinning behavior.

5. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition has a pH value in the range of 9 to 14, preferably 10 to 14.

6. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition has a residual moisture in the range of 15 to 50 %, preferably 20 to 50 %.

7. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition has the appearance of a paste.

8. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition shows a shear-thinning property.

9. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition has a degree of crystallinity of at least 20 %, preferably at least 25 %, as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD).

10. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition has a content of orthorhombic crystals of at least 50%, preferably 70 %, more preferably at least 90%, as determined by XRD and relative to the content of the crystalline phase.

11 . Composition with the appearance of a paste, preferably as described in any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least 45 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, preferably at least 50 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably MGDA or its sodium salts, preferably with a viscosity of in the range of 30 to 5000 mPas, preferably 50 to 3000 mPas at a shear rate of 1000 to 1 1/s, preferably in the temperature range of 20° to 90° C and/or with a pH value in the range of 9 to 14, preferably 10 to 14, and/or showing a shear-thinning property.

12. Composition according to claim 11 , consisting of at at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, preferably MGDA or its sodium salts, and water.

13. Composition comprising at least 45 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent, relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably MGDA or its sodium salts, obtained or obtainable by the process according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10.

14. Use of a composition according to any one of claims 11 to 13 in cleaning applications, preferably dishwashing applications, more preferably automatic dishwashing applications.

15. Cleaning agent, preferably selected from dishwashing and laundry detergents, more preferably dishwashing detergents, particularly automatic dishwashing detergents, comprising a composition comprising at least 45 % by weight of at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent according to any one of claims 11 to 13, preferably obtained or obtainable by the process according to any of the preceding claims 1 to xxxxxxxx, and optionally an antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of 2- phenoxyethanol; preferably comprising said antimicrobial agent in an amount ranging from 2 ppm to 5% by weight of the composition; more preferably comprising 0.1 to 2% of phenoxyethanol.

16. Container comprising a detergent composition, preferably a single unit dose of a detergent composition, more preferably a dish-washing detergent composition, the container comprising one or more compartments, comprising in at least one compartment at least one aminocarboxylate complexing agent (A), wherein the complexing agent (A) is present in an amount of at least 45% by weight, relative to the total weight of the total of the detergent composition in the container, wherein the at least one complexing agent (A) isevenly distributed in one or more compartments of the container within an aqueous medium (M), and having, at ambient temperature, the form of a gel-type and/or the appearance of a paste, and wherein, in case of more than one complexing agent (A), the different complexing agents (A) can be mixed in one compartment or can be separated into two or more separate compartments, in case more than one compartment is present, said aminocarboxylate complexing agent (A), preferably, being at least one alkali metal salt of methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA), and wherein said aminocarboxylate complexing agent (A) is, preferably, partially neutralized with alkali, and wherein, optionally, the aqueous medium (M) additionally comprises, preferably evenly distributed in one or more compartments of the container, at least one further component, selected from surfactants, alkali metal silicates, polymers, preferably selected from polycarboxylates and polyaspartic acid, said container is, preferably, made from a polymer, and wherein the detergent composition furthermore comprises, optionally, sodium hydroxide, percarbonates, enzymes, and/or polymers.

17. Container according to claim 16, wherein the aqueous medium (M) including the aminocarboxylate complexing agent (A) has a viscosity of in the range of 30 to 5000 mPas at a shear rate of 1000 to 1 1/s in the temperature range of 20° to 90° C, and a pH value in the range of 9 to 14, and shows a shear-thinning property, and/or has the appearance of a paste.

18. Container according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said container encompasses only one compartment, comprising the entire detergent composition.

19. Container according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein said container encompasses at least two compartments, wherein one compartment (C1) contains aminocarboxylate complexing agents (A) in an aqueous medium which, including the aminocarboxylate complexing agent (A), is of gel-type and/or with the appearance of a paste at ambient temperature, and at least one further compartment (C2) which contains a solid composition and/or at least one further compartment (C3) which is of a gel-type and/or is with the appearance of paste, wherein compartment (C2) and/or compartment (C3), separately from each other, contain at least one component selected from surfactants, polymers, builders and enzymes.

20. Container according to any of the preceding claims 16 to 19, wherein said container encompasses at least two compartments, wherein said detergent composition additionally comprises an inorganic peroxide and/or fragrance, said inorganic peroxide and/or fragrance being part of the compartment containing the aqueous medium containing the aminocarboxylate complexing agent (A), wherein said compartment is of gel-type and/or with the appearance of a paste at ambient temperature, and wherein inorganic peroxide and/or fragrance are in a separate phase than the aminocarboxylate complexing agent.