Pulverulent mixtures containing at least one nitrite rubber and at least one release agent, which are characterized by a particular average particle diameter, are provided. These mixtures have particularly low emissions and are outstandingly suitable for producing materials and components for indoor applications.

Pulverulent mixtures containing at least one nitrite rubber and at least one release agent, which are characterized by a particular average particle diameter, are provided. These mixtures have particularly low emissions and are outstandingly suitable for producing materials and components for indoor applications.

A method for producing a polymer latex, including an emulsification step of mixing a polymer solution obtained by dissolution of synthetic polyisoprene and/or a styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer in an organic solvent, with an aqueous solution including 0.1 to 30 parts by weight of a rosinate based on 100 parts by weight in total of the synthetic polyisoprene and the styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, and emulsifying the resultant in water to thereby obtain an emulsified liquid, a solvent removal step of removing the organic solvent in the emulsified liquid, and a concentration step of concentrating the emulsified liquid from which the organic solvent is removed, and also adjusting the content rate of the rosinate in the emulsified liquid after concentration, in the range of 0.1 to 3 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight in total of the synthetic polyisoprene and the styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer in the emulsified liquid.

Methods for increasing the extractable rubber content of non-Hevea plant matter that entail the use of particular forms of hammer milling and/or roller milling in an increase in the amount of rubber that can be extracted from the resulting plant matter such as by organic solvent extraction or aqueous extraction are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods are for increasing the extractable rubber content of guayule plant matter, and entail the use of particular forms of hammer milling in combination with roller milling and flaking to increase the amount of rubber that can be extracted from the guayule plant matter such as by organic solvent extraction or aqueous extraction.

Methods for increasing the extractable rubber content of non-Hevea plant matter that entail the use of particular forms of hammer milling and/or roller milling in an increase in the amount of rubber that can be extracted from the resulting plant matter such as by organic solvent extraction or aqueous extraction are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods are for increasing the extractable rubber content of guayule plant matter, and entail the use of particular forms of hammer milling in combination with roller milling and flaking to increase the amount of rubber that can be extracted from the guayule plant matter such as by organic solvent extraction or aqueous extraction.

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining rubber from rubber-containing plant material, the method comprising the steps of subjecting a composition comprising rubber-containing plant material and a fermentation culture to conditions allowing anaerobic fermentation, wherein the composition preferably has a water content of less than 95 wt. %. The fermentation preferably does not involve movement of the rubber-containing plant material (or parts thereof), and preferably the fermentation is performed in the absence of oxygen ventilation. Additionally, it is preferred that the fermentation culture is cycled through the composition by percolation. A further step of the method involves obtaining the rubber from the composition.

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining rubber from rubber-containing plant material, the method comprising the steps of subjecting a composition comprising rubber-containing plant material and a fermentation culture to conditions allowing anaerobic fermentation, wherein the composition preferably has a water content of less than 95 wt. %. The fermentation preferably does not involve movement of the rubber-containing plant material (or parts thereof), and preferably the fermentation is performed in the absence of oxygen ventilation. Additionally, it is preferred that the fermentation culture is cycled through the composition by percolation. A further step of the method involves obtaining the rubber from the composition.

The present invention relates to an integrated process for processing and utilizing every part of the guayule plant (Parthenium argnetatum) which comprises the following steps in sequence: separating the stem and branches from the leaves of said plant with a mechanical treatment; treating the leaves to produce waxes and essential oils, and a fraction containing cellulose, hemicellulose (carbohydrates) and, to a minor extent, salts, organic compounds and lignin; extracting from the stem and branches a liquid phase, so forming a first solid woody residue, indicated with bagasse in the present text; treating said first solid woody residue to prepare sugars, resin, rubber and lignin.

The present disclosure provides for a method of purifying rubber from a plant that naturally produces rubber, the method including: a) contacting plant material with hot water or a dilute basic aqueous solution, thereby forming a plant material composition with a concentration of 3% or less of water extractable materials by weight and an inulin-containing composition; b) separating the plant material composition from the inulin-containing composition; c) pebble milling the plant material composition in the presence of enzymes; d) centrifuging the product of step c) to separate rubber from other material; and e) removing the rubber. Also provided herein is a product that can be obtained by any of the processes disclosed herein.

Pulverulent mixtures containing at least one nitrite rubber and at least one release agent, which are characterized by a particular average particle diameter, are provided. These mixtures have particularly low emissions and are outstandingly suitable for producing materials and components for indoor applications.