The method for producing a resin composition of the present invention includes a step of obtaining a lignin-containing solution that contains a solubilized lignin prepared through a treatment of separating lignin in a lignin-containing solution and a solvent, and a step of adding a resin to the lignin-containing solution to thereby obtain a lignin/resin-containing solution. Also, the method for producing a resin composition of the present invention includes a step of mixing the lignin/resin-containing solution with at least one solvent selected from water and a hydrocarbon having a dipole moment of 0.25 d or less. The lignin-containing resin molded article of the present invention uses the resin composition obtained according to the production method of the present invention.

The method for producing a resin composition of the present invention includes a step of obtaining a lignin-containing solution that contains a solubilized lignin prepared through a treatment of separating lignin in a lignin-containing solution and a solvent, and a step of adding a resin to the lignin-containing solution to thereby obtain a lignin/resin-containing solution. Also, the method for producing a resin composition of the present invention includes a step of mixing the lignin/resin-containing solution with at least one solvent selected from water and a hydrocarbon having a dipole moment of 0.25 d or less. The lignin-containing resin molded article of the present invention uses the resin composition obtained according to the production method of the present invention.

The invention is directed to an aqueous adhesive composition for lignocellulosic materials.

Halogenated butyl rubbers are provided comprising lignins and co-reinforcing agents, where the ratio of the lignin to the co-reinforcing agent is selected so as to effectively modulate advantageous properties of the vulcanizate. The advantageous properties are achieved when using a ratio of lignin to the co-reinforcing agent, such as carbon black or silica, that is higher than in a reference vulcanizate, in effect the substitution of lignin for conventional reinforcing agents improves the reinforcement of the vulcanizates.

The present invention relates to a method for increasing the reactivity of lignin, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) forming, under heating at a temperature of 30-70° C., an aqueous dispersion comprising alkali and lignin, wherein the alkali comprises a hydroxide of an alkali metal; and b) heating the dispersion formed in step a) at a temperature of 50-95° C. for producing alkalated lignin.

Carbon fibre precursors for use in the formation of carbon fibre materials. The carbon fibre precursors comprise fibres of polymeric material which have a coating layer thereon, the coating layer comprising a material susceptible to dielectric heating, for example carbon nanotubes. The carbon fibre precursors may be suitable for forming into carbon fibres using a dielectric heating step, despite the fibres of polymeric material not being susceptible to dielectric heating, without adversely affecting the structure and physical properties of the main body of the carbon fibre so formed. A method of preparing a carbon fibre precursor for a carbon fibre formation process and a method forming a carbon fibre are also disclosed.

A polyurethane elastomer composition that contains (a) an organic diisocyanate, (b) a polyester resin, (c) a chain extender, (d) an optional crosslinker, (e) an optional colorant, (f) a surfactant, (g) a foaming agent, (h) an optional bio-additive, and a composition comprised of a plasticizer and a lignin.

A mycological biopolymer material is subjected to treatment in one or more solutions that work to enhance and/or retain the inherent material properties of the material. In one embodiment, the solution is an organic solution; in another embodiment, the solution is an organic solvent with a salt; in another embodiment, the solution is an organic solvent phenol and/or polyphenol; and in another embodiment, a series of such solutions is used.

Provided herein is an asphalt binder composition, and more particularly, an amine-containing asphalt binder composition capable of improving mixability between an asphalt binder and an aggregate, and compactibility and water resistance of an asphalt paving mixture. More particularly, the present invention relates to an asphalt binder composition capable of being used in hot mix asphalt for improving workability and/or stripping-resistance, warm-mix asphalt, recycling of reclaimed asphalt pavement, or the like.

A solid polymer blend material comprising: (i) a lignin-acrylonitrile component containing a homogeneous blend of a lignin component and an acrylonitrile-containing rubber component; and (ii) a styrene-containing thermoplastic component that is non-elastomeric; wherein components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously dispersed in the polymer blend material. Methods for producing the blend material are also described. Methods for producing objects made of the blend material by melt extrusion are also described, comprising: (a) melt blending components (i) and (ii) to form a polymer blend in which components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously blended, wherein the polymer blend exhibits a melt viscosity of no more than 2000 Pa.Math.s at a shear rate of 100-1000 s.sup.−1 and when heated to a temperature of no more than 240° C.; and (b) forming an object made of said polymer blend material.