A mixture along with methods of preparing, uses and/or products made from the mixture and methods of preparing products made from the same. Where the mixture contains 0.5% to 10% by weight of one or more superabsorbent polymers and 90% to 99.5% by weight of one or more protective-colloid-stabilized polymers based on one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers and optionally one or more additives. Where the percentages by weight are based on the dry weight of the mixture and wherein no mineral binder is present within the mixture.

A mixture along with methods of preparing, uses and/or products made from the mixture and methods of preparing products made from the same. Where the mixture contains 0.5% to 10% by weight of one or more superabsorbent polymers and 90% to 99.5% by weight of one or more protective-colloid-stabilized polymers based on one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers and optionally one or more additives. Where the percentages by weight are based on the dry weight of the mixture and wherein no mineral binder is present within the mixture.

A mixture along with methods of preparing, uses and/or products made from the mixture and methods of preparing products made from the same. Where the mixture contains 0.5% to 10% by weight of one or more superabsorbent polymers and 90% to 99.5% by weight of one or more protective-colloid-stabilized polymers based on one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers and optionally one or more additives. Where the percentages by weight are based on the dry weight of the mixture and wherein no mineral binder is present within the mixture.

A piece of natural plant material is subjected to one or more chemical treatments to remove substantially all lignin therefrom, thereby allowing the extraction of delignified, cellulose-based fibers. For example, the natural plant material can be a grass, such as bamboo or gladiolus. Subsequent drying of the extracted fiber densifies the structure, yielding improved mechanical properties. In some embodiments, the extracted fibers can be used, either alone or in combination with other materials, as a structural material. For example, the extracted fibers can be embedded within, infiltrated with, coated by, or otherwise combined with a polymer or concrete to form a composite material.

In the field of decorative floor coverings, decorative panels are known having a MDF (Medium Density Board) or HDF (High Density Board) based core layer on top of which a decorative substrate is attached to provide the panels a desired appearance. The invention relates to a panel, in particular a decorative panel, a floor panel, a ceiling panel or a wall panel. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of mutually coupled panels.

Provided herein are composite materials comprising at least 70 wt. % thermally consolidated recovered paper and plastic fragments and less than 5,000 ng water-soluble endotoxin per gram of composite materials, as well as methods of preparing said composite materials and methods of sanitizing recovered waste materials.

Provided herein are composite materials comprising at least 70 wt. % thermally consolidated recovered paper and plastic fragments and less than 5,000 ng water-soluble endotoxin per gram of composite materials, as well as methods of preparing said composite materials and methods of sanitizing recovered waste materials.

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the manufacture of pigmented solids structures for which can be used for construction and/or decoration. Manufacturing comprises fixing one or more pigments to an aggregate material such as crushed rock, stone or sand. The pigmented aggregate is incubated with urease or urease producing microorganisms, an amount of a nitrogen source such as urea, and an amount of calcium source such as calcium chloride forming calcite bridges between particles of aggregate. The resulting solid has a hardness and colorfastness for most any construction material. Using selected aggregate and pigment, the process also provides for the manufacture of simulated-stone materials such as clay or granite bricks or blocks, marble counter-tops, and more. The invention is also directed to composition containing microorganisms and pigment as kits that can be added to most any aggregate materials.

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the manufacture of pigmented solids structures for which can be used for construction and/or decoration. Manufacturing comprises fixing one or more pigments to an aggregate material such as crushed rock, stone or sand. The pigmented aggregate is incubated with urease or urease producing microorganisms, an amount of a nitrogen source such as urea, and an amount of calcium source such as calcium chloride forming calcite bridges between particles of aggregate. The resulting solid has a hardness and colorfastness for most any construction material. Using selected aggregate and pigment, the process also provides for the manufacture of simulated-stone materials such as clay or granite bricks or blocks, marble counter-tops, and more. The invention is also directed to composition containing microorganisms and pigment as kits that can be added to most any aggregate materials.

A method of sequestering gas-phase materials, hempcrete formed using the method, and methods of using hempcrete are disclosed. An exemplary method includes providing a mixture of hempcrete compound material within a chamber and exposing the mixture within the chamber to a gas for a period of time to form hempcrete, wherein the hempcrete exhibits net-negative life cycle carbon emissions. A model to predict net life cycle carbon emission of hempcrete is also disclosed.