Prepared is a melt-molding resin composition containing a thermoplastic resin and a sugar ester. The thermoplastic resin is a cellulose diacetate (A). The sugar ester contains a sugar alkanoic acid ester (B) which is an esterified product of at least one member selected from the group consisting of a monosaccharide, an oligosaccharide, and a sugar alcohol with a C.sub.2-6alkanoic acid. The sugar alkanoic acid ester (B) may be sucrose octaacetate. The ratio of the sugar alkanoic acid ester (B) relative to 100 parts by mass of the cellulose diacetate may be 10 to 65 parts by mass. The resin composition may be an injection-molding resin composition. The resin composition has excellent melt moldability, transparency, and mechanical characteristics.

A process is disclosed for combining a polysaccharide ester polymer with one or more plasticizers in a way that produces a homogeneous blend. The polysaccharide ester polymer can be in the form of particles and fed to a heated extruding device. Separate quantities of plasticizer can then be combined with the polysaccharide ester polymer particles as they are conveyed through the extruding device. Through the process of the present disclosure, a homogenous blended product can be formed that can then be used to form various articles including fibers, films, and molded articles.

The present invention relates to a thermoplastic cellulose composite for additive manufacturing. The composite comprises at least 50 weight-% of total cellulose, a plasticizer, and a coupling agent of an epoxy-modified polyunsaturated fatty acid. The material is fully bio-based and offers improved cellulose content and thermal resistance compared to existing bio-based thermoplastic materials used in additive manufacturing.

Glycerin and sodium polyacrylate may be mixed at a first mixing speed for a first mixing time. Free water and a fibrillated cellulose mixture may be added to second mixer and mixed at a second mixing time speed for a second mixing time. The glycerin and the sodium polyacrylate may be mixed with the free water and fibrillated cellulose mixture at a third mixing speed for a third mixing time. One or more of sodium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, and sodium benzoate may be added and mixed at a fourth mixing speed for a fourth mixing time. Sodium carbonate may be added and mixed at a fifth mixing speed for a fifth mixing time. A surfactant mixture and optionally fragrances may be added and mixed at a sixth mixing speed for a sixth mixing time to form a final mixture, which may be transferred to molds, dehydrated, and removed.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an extrusion foaming method for producing low-density extrusion foam from a thermoplastic cellulose-based starting material.

A cocopeat substrate and its manufacturing method, includes the steps of: (a) mixing raw materials, part by mass, of 70-75 parts of cocopeat, 0-0.5 parts of pH regulator, 0-0.5 parts of rooting agent, 25-30 parts of modified diisocyanate and 20-35 parts of water uniformly by a mixer to form a premixed material; (b) immediately filling the premixed material into a mold and carrying out hot press curing to obtain a cured cocopeat substrate; and (c) drying with hot air to remove excess moisture, and then air cooling under room condition. The cocopeat substrate has an EC value less than or equal to 1.0, a pH value of 5.0-6.5, a porosity of 80-85%, and a density of 0.18-0.25 g/cm.sup.3. The cocopeat substrate has a truncated pyramid structure and a planting hole functioning as a natural planting pot with slow natural decomposition rate, readily for use directly for growing seedlings.

Glycerin and sodium polyacrylate may be mixed at a first mixing speed for a first mixing time. Free water and a fibrillated cellulose mixture may be added to second mixer and mixed at a second mixing time speed for a second mixing time. The glycerin and the sodium polyacrylate may be mixed with the free water and fibrillated cellulose mixture at a third mixing speed for a third mixing time. One or more of sodium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, and sodium benzoate may be added and mixed at a fourth mixing speed for a fourth mixing time. Sodium carbonate may be added and mixed at a fifth mixing speed for a fifth mixing time. A surfactant mixture and optionally fragrances may be added and mixed at a sixth mixing speed for a sixth mixing time to form a final mixture, which may be transferred to molds, dehydrated, and removed.