An amphiphilic star-like polyether obtainable by i) step i: preparation of an aliphatic hyperbranched polyether polyol (core compound A) either by a) reacting an aliphatic alcohol α with the general formula [C n H (2n+2)-x OH x] y z, wherein 3≤x≤6, 0≤y≤20, 0≤z≤20, and 3≤n≤10 with itself and/or optionally with a di-, tri-, tetra- or higher functional aliphatic alcohol β with the general formula [C n H (2n+2)-x OH x] y z, wherein 2≤x≤8, 0≤y≤20, 0≤z≤20, 2≤n≤10, in the presence of a catalyst, and removing the water formed during the reaction (polycondensation approach i)a)) or b) reacting an aliphatic alcohol ω with the general formula [C n H (2n+2)-x OH x] y z, wherein 1≤x≤6, 0≤y≤20, 0≤z≤20 and 1≤n≤10 with at least one cyclic carbonate based on an aliphatic polyol with the general formula [C n H (2n+2)-x OH x] y z, wherein 3≤ x≤6, 0≤y≤20, 0≤z≤20, and 3≤n≤10, in the presence of a base as catalyst, and removing the carbon dioxide formed during the reaction (ring-opening polycondensation approach i)b)), ii) step ii: reacting core compound A with ethylene oxide, leading to compound B, iii) step iii: reacting compound B with a C 3 -C 20 alkylene oxide, leading to compound C, iv) optionally, step iv: reacting compound C with modifying reagents to convert 5 to 100% of the terminal hydroxyl groups to anionic sulphate, sulfonate, carboxylate, phosphate or phosphonate groups, leading to compound D. i) step i: preparation of an aliphatic hyperbranched polyether polyol (core compound A) either by a) reacting an aliphatic alcohol α with the general formula [C n H (2n+2)-x OH x] y z, wherein 3≤x≤6, 0≤y≤20, 0≤z≤20, and 3≤n≤10 with itself and/or optionally with a di-, tri-, tetra- or higher functional aliphatic alcohol β with the general formula [C n H (2n+2)-x OH x] y z, wherein 2≤x≤8, 0≤y≤20, 0≤z≤20, 2≤n≤10, in the presence of a catalyst, and removing the water formed during the reaction (polycondensation approach i)a)) or b) reacting an aliphatic alcohol ω with the general formula [C n H (2n+2)-x OH x] y z, wherein 1≤x≤6, 0≤y≤20, 0≤z≤20 and 1≤n≤10 with at least one cyclic carbonate based on an aliphatic polyol with the general formula [C n H (2n+2)-x OH x] y z, wherein 3≤ x≤6, 0≤y≤20, 0≤z≤20, and 3≤n≤10, in the presence of a base as catalyst, and removing the carbon dioxide formed during the reaction (ring-opening polycondensation approach i)b)), a) reacting an aliphatic alcohol α with the general formula [C n H (2n+2)-x OH x] y z, wherein 3≤x≤6, 0≤y≤20, 0≤z≤20, and 3≤n≤10 with itself and/or optionally with a di-, tri-, tetra- or higher functional aliphatic alcohol β with the general formula [C n H (2n+2)-x OH x] y z, wherein 2≤x≤8, 0≤y≤20, 0≤z≤20, 2≤n≤10, in the presence of a catalyst, and removing the water formed during the reaction (polycondensation approach i)a)) or b) reacting an aliphatic alcohol ω with the general formula [C n H (2n+2)-x OH x] y z, wherein 1≤x≤6, 0≤y≤20, 0≤z≤20 and 1≤n≤10 with at least one cyclic carbonate based on an aliphatic polyol with the general formula [C n H (2n+2)-x OH x] y z, wherein 3≤ x≤6, 0≤y≤20, 0≤z≤20, and 3≤n≤10, in the presence of a base as catalyst, and removing the carbon dioxide formed during the reaction (ring-opening polycondensation approach i)b)), ii) step ii: reacting core compound A with ethylene oxide, leading to compound B, iii) step iii: reacting compound B with a C 3 -C 20 alkylene oxide, leading to compound C, iv) optionally, step iv: reacting compound C with modifying reagents to convert 5 to 100% of the terminal hydroxyl groups to anionic sulphate, sulfonate, carboxylate, phosphate or phosphonate groups, leading to compound D.