Hot-melt composition comprising hydrocolloids

1. A formulation comprising

(a) a chemically crosslinked polymer matrix, obtainable from acrylic prepolymers crosslinkable by means of photopolymerization; and

(b) hydrocolloids embedded in the chemically crosslinked polymer matrix; and

(c) an additive which improves dynamic water absorption capacity, said additive being a sulfonated copolyester;

obtainable by

combining the acrylic prepolymers, hydrocolloids, and the additive which improves dynamic water absorption capacity, and heating and processing the mixture through a slot die at a processing temperature of less than 150° C., wherein the mixture has a viscosity of less than 100 Pa*s, at said processing temperature; and

crosslinking the acrylic prepolymers by means of photopolymerization by irradiation with UV light.

2. The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the formulation is a hydrocolloid pressure-sensitive adhesive.

3. The formulation of claim 1 , comprising about 30% to about 80% by weight crosslinked polymer.

4. The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocolloids are selected from the group consisting of superabsorbents.

5. The formulation of claim 4 , comprising about 10% to about 40% by weight hydrocolloids.

6. The formulation of claim 1 , further comprising a compound chosen from the group consisting of a tackifier, a plasticizer, one or more stabilizers, and mixtures thereof.

7. The formulation of claim 6 , wherein the tackifier comprises compounds chosen from the group consisting of copolymers of vinyl methyl ether and maleic acid; copolymers of vinyl methyl ether and pyrrolidone; and mixtures thereof.

8. An absorbent medical or cosmetics article comprising a formulation of claim 1 .

9. A process for reducing the occurrence of discolorations in the provision or processing of a formulation of claim 1 , wherein the provision or processing of a hot-melt formulation takes place at a melt temperature of not more than 150° C.

10. A process for providing or processing a hydrocolloid pressure-sensitive adhesive formulation, which comprises the following steps:

a) providing at least one crosslinkable acrylic prepolymer whose nature and amount are such as to give a melt viscosity of less than 100 Pa*s, at a processing temperature of less than 150° C.;

b) providing hydrocolloids;

c) providing an additive which improves dynamic water absorption capacity, said additive being a sulfonated copolyester;

d) combining the acrylic prepolymers, hydrocolloids and the additive which improves dynamic water absorption capacity, and heating and processing the mixture through a slot die, wherein the mixture has a viscosity of less than 100 Pa*s, at a processing temperature of less than 150° C.; and

e) crosslinking the acrylic prepolymer of the formulation by means of photopolymerization, by irradiation with UV light.

11. The process of claim 10 , wherein the mixture is laminated with a backing film before crosslinking.

12. The process of claim 10 , wherein the mixture is applied to a release material before crosslinking.

13. The process of claim 12 , comprising the step of irradiation through a backing film or the release material, or a double-sided irradiation of a hot-melt situated on the release material.

14. A process for crosslinking acrylic prepolymers in a hot-melt formulation comprising acrylic prepolymers crosslinkable by means of photopolymerization, hydrocolloids and an additive which improves dynamic water absorption capacity, said additive being a sulfonated copolyester, wherein all components are premixed and then applied to a release material, wherein the crosslinking takes place by means of irradiation with UV light.