Foaming (in a column) and dynamic surface tension behaviour of aqueous solutions of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), and ethyl (hydroxy ethyl) cellulose/sodium dodecyl sulphate (EHEC/SDS) mixtures was determined. The results indicated a synergism in foaming and surface activity for the EHEC/SDS mixtures over a specific concentration range. For the SDS solution, the maximum value in Marangoni elasticity (E m m a x ), as determined from dynamic surface tension data, was reached within a surface age of 0.05 s and it could be suggested that in this case E m m a x was relevant to foam stability. However, for the EHEC (nonfoaming solutions), E m m a x was reached after longer surface ageing periods (0.05-0.1 s). For the EHEC/SDS solutions, E m m a x occurred over a range of surface ageing periods depending on the polymer/surfactant ratio and no correlation was obtained between E m m a x and foaming. The E m m a x time lag for the polymer and polymer/surfactant mixtures was explained by the slower diffusion from solution to the new surface. For the EHEC/SDS, the enhanced the foaming behaviour was explained by the adsorption of surface active polymer/surfactant (clusters) species at the air/solution interface. It was suggested that this could lead to coherent (gelatinous) interfacial layers in the thin film lamella which reduce drainage.