Non-alginate hydrogel microparticles for localized delivery and sustained release of therapeutic cells and/or tissues (including homogenous or heterogenous cell clusters) at a site of implantation. The microparticles comprise a 3-dimensional matrix of covalently crosslinked non-alginate polymer compounds and a therapeutically-effective amount of cells and/or tissue entrapped therein, wherein the cells have a viability of at least about 50%, and wherein the microparticle has a size of greater than about 30 pm. Compositions containing such microparticles and methods of using such microparticles for treatment are also described.

The present disclosure is directed to a composition comprising (a) a vinylidene chloride/methyl acrylate interpolymer having greater than 6 wt % methyl acrylate mer units in the interpolymer, (b) greater than 6 wt % of an epoxy plasticizer; and (c) less than 4 wt % of an acrylate polymer. The composition exhibits a crystallization time greater than 25 minutes to crystallization at 35° C. Films made from the present composition show improved processability and find advantageous application as permeable barrier film for food packaging, for specialty food packaging, and for gassy cheese.

The present disclosure is directed to a composition comprising (a) a vinylidene chloride/methyl acrylate interpolymer having greater than 6 wt % methyl acrylate mer units in the interpolymer, (b) greater than 6 wt % of an epoxy plasticizer; and (c) less than 4 wt % of an acrylate polymer. The composition exhibits a crystallization time greater than 25 minutes to crystallization at 35° C. Films made from the present composition show improved processability and find advantageous application as permeable barrier film for food packaging, for specialty food packaging, and for gassy cheese.

The present disclosure is directed to a composition comprising (a) a vinylidene chloride/methyl acrylate interpolymer having greater than 6 wt % methyl acrylate mer units in the interpolymer, (b) greater than 6 wt % of an epoxy plasticizer; and (c) less than 4 wt % of an acrylate polymer. The composition exhibits a crystallization time greater than 25 minutes to crystallization at 35° C. Films made from the present composition show improved processability and find advantageous application as permeable barrier film for food packaging, for specialty food packaging, and for gassy cheese.

A drag reducing agent has a core comprising a polyolefin; and a temporary container encapsulating the core. The temporary container contains a container material, which includes an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, a polyvinylpyrrolidone, an ethylene vinylpyrrolidone copolymer, a vinylpyrrolidone vinyl acetate copolymer, a polyvinyl acetate, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyethylene oxide, a polyethylene glycol, polyvinylidene chloride, a polysaccharide or its derivative, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. A largest dimension of the drag reducing agent is greater than about 1,000 microns.

Compositions and methods for producing smoke suppressants are disclosed. The smoke suppressant molecularly encapsulates a naturally-occurring inorganic substrate, such as expanded volcanic ash. These intercalated smoke suppressant compositions have particular utility for smoke suppression in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), both flexible and rigid compounds as well as other polymeric resins and materials.

Compositions and methods for producing smoke suppressants are disclosed. The smoke suppressant molecularly encapsulates a naturally-occurring inorganic substrate, such as expanded volcanic ash. These intercalated smoke suppressant compositions have particular utility for smoke suppression in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), both flexible and rigid compounds as well as other polymeric resins and materials.

Provided is a process for preparing a PVDC additive blend in which an additive is blended with PVDC under high shear blending to produce a highly uniform blend in which the additive is homogeneously distributed throughout the PVDC. It has been found that performing high shear blending in multiple successive stages in which the concentration of the additive in the blend is reduced in each successive stage helps in prove the uniformity of the PVDC additive blend. For example, the high shear blending may be carried out in 2 to 6 stages, and in particular, from 2 to 4 stages. Also provided is a PVDC additive blend having a uniform blend of PVDC and an additive, such as a blend of a PVDC copolymer of vinylidene chloride and methyl acrylate and a fluorescing agent, such as 2,2′(2,5-thiophenylendiyl)bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole).

Provided is a process for preparing a PVDC additive blend in which an additive is blended with PVDC under high shear blending to produce a highly uniform blend in which the additive is homogeneously distributed throughout the PVDC. It has been found that performing high shear blending in multiple successive stages in which the concentration of the additive in the blend is reduced in each successive stage helps in prove the uniformity of the PVDC additive blend. For example, the high shear blending may be carried out in 2 to 6 stages, and in particular, from 2 to 4 stages. Also provided is a PVDC additive blend having a uniform blend of PVDC and an additive, such as a blend of a PVDC copolymer of vinylidene chloride and methyl acrylate and a fluorescing agent, such as 2,2′(2,5-thiophenylendiyl)bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole).

A multi-stage emulsion processing aid polymer comprising one or more functionalized ethylenically unsaturated monomer into the emulsion polymerization reactor, wherein the functionality is selected from the group consisting of β-keto esters, β-keto amides, β-diketones, cyanoacetic esters, malonates, nitroalkanes, β-nitro esters, sulfonazides, thiols, thiol-s-triazines, and amine, where the functionality is incorporated into polymers by polymerizing, ethylenically unsaturated monomers containing these functionalities or by post functionalization of a polymer with additional reactions after polymerization in one of the first or second stages. Foamable halogenated polymers comprising the multi-stage emulsion processing aid polymer is also provided. Also provided are methods for making the multi-stage emulsion processing aid polymer and foamable halogenated polymers.