This invention relates to a process for preparing polyamine-epihalohydrin
resins having reduced levels of residuals. The process comprises (a)
charging a membrane separation apparatus with an aqueous composition
comprising at least one polyamine-epihalohydrin resin, and (b) separating
the aqueous composition into a permeate and a retentate by passing the
aqueous composition through the membrane of the membrane separation
apparatus. The retentate comprises at least one polyamine-epihalohydrin
resin having lower levels of residuals on an equal active component basis
than the aqueous composition of (a). The permeate comprises residuals
removed from the aqueous composition of (a) and less than 5% by weight of
the active component of said at least one polyamine-epihalohydrin resin.
The polyamine-epihalohydrin resins having reduced levels of residuals can
be used to make wet strength agents, dry strength agents, creping
adhesives for paper products, curing agents for wood product adhesives,
and other products.