Water-based and aqueous phases are two distinct concepts.

Water-based and aqueous phases have distinct meanings in environmental contexts: ① For resin products, only the term "water-based" applies—meaning the resin is soluble in water, making it a water-based resin. However, when describing coating systems made from resins, both "water-based" and "aqueous phase" can be used interchangeably, as they both refer to coating systems where water serves primarily as the solvent component. ② In the context of resin production processes, the term "water-based" does not apply; instead, "aqueous phase" is the correct description. This refers to processes where water plays a central role as the primary medium during critical manufacturing steps. Resins produced via the aqueous-phase method are typically non-water-based—for example, aqueous-phase chlorinated rubber and aqueous-phase polyvinyl chloride—which must then be formulated into coatings, adhesives, or inks using appropriate solvent systems. Thus, "water-based" and "aqueous phase" are two distinct concepts that should not be confused or equated. ③ The aqueous-phase process represents a traditional manufacturing approach: a) In the inorganic salt industry, most production processes—including those involving solid materials—rely on water as a solvent. This is a specific type of aqueous-phase suspension process that has been practiced for centuries. b) In organic synthesis, water-based processes such as suspension polymerization and emulsion polymerization for resin production have been widely adopted and refined for over half a century. c) In the chlorinated polymer industry, the aqueous-phase suspension method has been employed for nearly 50 years in the manufacture of high-grade materials like CPVC and CPE.
So, resins produced via the water-phase process—non-aqueous resins such as water-phase chlorinated rubber and water-phase chlorinated polyvinyl chloride—can only dissolve in oil-based solvent systems. Therefore, "water-based resin" does not necessarily refer to resins made using the water-phase method. Unfortunately, some companies employing this water-phase production technique are exploiting the public's vague understanding of these terms, cleverly leveraging the word "water" to attract attention and create buzz. They’ve even gone so far as to heavily emphasize "water" in their marketing, deliberately blurring the critical distinction between "water-based" and "water-phase," two fundamentally different concepts. This is nothing more than a deceptive, pseudo-scientific tactic that deliberately confuses truth with falsehood.