VEEGUM® – VAN GEL® – VANATURAL®

VEEGUM® or VAN GEL®’s stabilizing and rheology properties, highly pure smectites, is related to its colloidal structure in the water. Each particle of smectite is composed of thousands of submicroscopic flakes “sandwiched” together, with a layer of water in between. The sides of these flakes are negatively charged, while the corners are positively charged.

The negative charge is prevalently balanced by sodium ions, even though other inorganic cations might be present in lower quantities. These charge-balancing ions are then paired with the sided of the flakes, and they are known as “interchangeable”, so they can be easily substituted by other cations.

When smectite is mixed with water, the latter goes between flakes, pushing them apart. As soon as this happens, the “interchangeable” ions start separating from the sides of the flakes. More and more water keeps penetrating the flakes due to the osmotic process, until they’ve been completely pushed apart; usually high speed stirring and/or the use of hot water speed up the process of hydration. Should there be any substances dissolved in the water, this will slow down the hydration process as it will inhibit the osmotic swelling crucial to the separation of the flakes.

VEEGUM® and VAN GEL® carry many useful features, one of the foremost is the capacity to stabilize low concentration O/W emulsions. Smectite’s colloidal structure successfully keeps the dispersed phase’s drops suspended and separated, thus smectite’s viscosity is not affected by the heat.VEEGUM® and VAN GEL® reduce emulsions tendency to dilute or break at high temperatures. Small quantities of the product (1%) stabilize emulsions containing anionic and non-ionic surfactants with a wide range of oils, fats and waxes. VEEGUM® is also very effective in stabilizing W/O emulsions, as it increases the dispersed phase’s viscosity, inhibiting coalescence. VEEGUM® has been used in formulations for fluid W/O emulsions, which are difficult to stabilize otherwise.

Thanks to its emulsion stabilizing property, VEEGUM® and VAN GEL®’s colloidal structure fosters excellent fine particle suspension in water systems. The high pour point helps successfully prepare suspensions made of minerals, salts and high density organic products. VEEGUM® and VAN GEL® have many advantages as suspending agents:

• They prevent hardening of the suspended material.
• They regulate phenomenons such as bleeding. Suspensions with a tendency to sediment are easily re-dispersed.
• They ensure uniformity in dosage, for example in pharmaceutical suspensions and condensed pesticides.
• They foster maximum suspension without losing fluidity.
• They won’t produce irreversible gelatinous gels, like many organic rubbers do.
• Their suspension efficiency is higher than that of organic rubbers with equal viscosity: especially convenient with low viscosity.

Thixotropy regulation can foster the formulation of cream products. Thick cremes can be spread easily. Spray products are easy to dispense, and they coat and adhere evenly to vertical surfaces. Suspensions are easy to handle and pour without compromising stability.

VEEGUM® contributes to improving spreadability and confers elegance to topical make up. It is also used to formulate topical non sticky products, thanks to the insoluble hybrid nature of the water suspensions. Moreover, it reduces or eliminates stickiness, rubbery or fibre texture for rubbers and organic polymers.

In addition to improved touch features, VEEGUM® and VAN GEL® are often used together with organic thickeners to improve their properties. Smectite contributes to enhance viscosity and pour point, while rubber and polymers’ protective colloidal action improves clay stability when combined with electrolytes, surfactants and other water soluble substances.

Advice of use for VEEGUM® and VAN GEL® with organic thickeners are detailed in following section titled Vanzan—Xanthan Gum.

VEEGUM® and VAN GEL® are commonly used in products with pH range of 2 to 13. For example, emulsions with alpha hydroxi acids, antiperspirants, analgesic suspensions for internal use, abrasive hypochlorite solutions and alkaline detergents for ovens. Some types are very effective with extreme pH, where stability is prolonged by the protective action of colloids, such as xanthan gum.

VEEGUM® and VAN GEL®, as anionic clays, are compatible with most anionic and non-ionic products, while on the other hand they’re incompatible with most cationic products. The dispersion can be combined with water soluble solvents: up to 20% in alcohol, 50% in glycerin and 30% in propylene glycol and PEG.

VEEGUM® and VAN GEL® are derived from minerals, as such they can’t be decomposed by bacteria, heat or excess mechanical stirring. They’re insoluble in solvents and water and can be used with pH levels typical of almost all industrial and home detergents.

VEEGUM® and VAN GEL® are used as nonmigrating binders in tablets, sticks and pressed products. During the drying process they don’t migrate to the surface, fostering homogeneity and the desired levels of hardness, brittleness and even color. Good separating action in pharmaceutical and industrial tablets, especially in compact tablets where the active ingredient makes up most of the weight.

Nine subtypes of VEEGUM® are available for Pharmaceuticals and Make up industries. Four of these – VEEGUM®, VEEGUM® F, VEEGUM® HV and VEEGUM® K, are USP/NF monograph compliant for Magnesium Aluminum Silicate. VEEGUM® HS is USP/NF monograph compliant for Purified Bentonite. Product monograph contains parameters for viscosity of the dispersion and ratio of magnesium/aluminum content. They are also complaint with requirements for arsenic, lead, humidity, acid consumption, microbiologic parameters, color and x-ray identification. These five subtypes, as well as the following four, are used in home detergents, agriculture and industrial products, with similar benefits.

Aluminum Magnesium Silicate monographs in British Pharmacopoeia, European Pharmacopoeia and Japanese Pharmaceutical Excipients are usually applicable to VEEGUM®. These monographs are sometimes slightly differing from USP/NF monographs, and are also less detailed.

*Actual concentration depends on thickening requirements and stabilization of other ingredients contained in the formula.
**M.A.S. = Magnesium Aluminum Silicate

Industrial grade VEEGUM® and VAN GEL® enjoy the same purity and evenness than cosmetic and pharmaceutical VEEGUM®. Due to this, they are widely used in home and industriale detergents, condensed pesticides for agriculture, abrasive suspensions, ceramics and varnished objects, paints, varnishes, polishes and industrial specialties.

Industrial grades are used to achieve suspending power, emulsion stability and special rheology characteristics suitable for extreme pH and strong oxidizing agents.

VEEGUM® PURE (M.A.S.) and VANATURAL ® (Bentonite) are raw materials certified by ECOCERT.

As with all other grades of  VEEGUM®, VEEGUM® PURE is made up of smectic clays, however its use is allowed in products labeled “organic”. Performance is the same of other grades, and requires a careful phase of water dispersion to reach complete perfect hydration.

VANATURAL® is a natural bentonite, washed in water for optimal performance and purity. Recommended to stabilize suspensions, emulsions and as rheology modifier.

INCI: Bentonite.

Main characteristics:

• Stabilizing and emulsifying agent, against emulsion separation especially at high temperatures
• Suspending agent to avoid caking
• Tack-free feel in topical preparations
• Synergy with xanthan gum and CMC, reducing their thickening effect
• Compatible with commonly used anionic and non-ionic ingredients

VANATURAL® is easily dispersible in water and rapidly hydrated

VANZAN® is a polysaccharide with high molecular weight, often used as rheology modifier in water systems. It enhances viscosity, helps stabilize emulsions and prevents solid caking. Its characteristics are further amplified in synergy with VEEGUM® or VANGEL®.

Advantages to use of xanthan gum:

• High viscosity in low concentration
• Excellent stabilizing properties
• Stability at high pH levels
• Stability at extreme temperatures
• Stability in freezing/defreezing stages
• Synergy with other smectic clays

VANZAN Pharmaceutical and Personal Care grades

VANZAN NF is the most popular grade for major pharmaceutical and personal care applications.

VANZAN NF-C is suitable for obtaining a transparent and clear product as in the formulation of syrups and gel.

VANZAN NF-F is a finely ground powder for tablet and dry mix powder formulas.

For technical grades it is recommended:

VANZAN grade is generally recommended for most technical / industrial applications

VANZAN D is surface-treated to make it temporarily insoluble. This facilitates dispersion and prevents the gum from dissolving until the surface treatment is removed by raising the pH of the system to 9 or greater. It is particularly convenient for systems where the final pH is alkaline.