In one aspect, the invention provides a substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material including starch and hydrophobically modified layered silicate clay. In another aspect, the invention provides packaging made from material including the substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material described above. The nanocomposite material has improved mechanical and rheological properties and reduced sensitivity to moisture in that the rates of moisture update and/or loss are reduced. In another aspect, the invention provides a process for preparing the substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material described above, including a step of mixing the starch in the form of an aqueous gel with the hydrophobic clay in a melt mixing device. In a further aspect, the invention provides a process for preparing the substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material, including the steps of mixing the starch with the hydrophobic clay to form a masterbatch (hereinafter “the masterbatch process”) and mixing the masterbatch with further starch.

The invention relates to a new binder composition which is particularly suitable for the manufacture of composite materials utilizing such new binder composition in the required nonwoven materials. Composite materials using such new binder composition in their nonwoven part are suitable, in particular, for composites materials for interior construction, for linings, floor coverings, and for the manufacture of furniture and similar products.

The invention relates to a new binder composition which is particularly suitable for the manufacture of composite materials utilizing such new binder composition in the required nonwoven materials. Composite materials using such new binder composition in their nonwoven part are suitable, in particular, for composites materials for interior construction, for linings, floor coverings, and for the manufacture of furniture and similar products.

The present disclosure generally relates to compositions and methods for incorporating higher density metallocene linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) into cast power stretch films. When compared to conventional machine films on a gauge-by-gauge basis, films containing the properly selected m-LLDPE may offer increased load containment force, reduced application force, and comparable elongation and puncture resistance properties.

The present disclosure generally relates to compositions and methods for incorporating higher density metallocene linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) into cast power stretch films. When compared to conventional machine films on a gauge-by-gauge basis, films containing the properly selected m-LLDPE may offer increased load containment force, reduced application force, and comparable elongation and puncture resistance properties.

The invention relates to a new binder composition which is particularly suitable for the manufacture of composite materials utilizing such new binder composition in the required nonwoven materials. Composite materials using such new binder composition in their nonwoven part are suitable, in particular, for composites materials for interior construction, for linings, floor coverings, and for the manufacture of furniture and similar products.

The invention relates to a new binder composition which is particularly suitable for the manufacture of composite materials utilizing such new binder composition in the required nonwoven materials. Composite materials using such new binder composition in their nonwoven part are suitable, in particular, for composites materials for interior construction, for linings, floor coverings, and for the manufacture of furniture and similar products.

A method for producing a microporous material comprising the steps of: providing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); providing a filler; providing a processing plasticizer; adding the filler to the UHMWPE in a mixture being in the range of from about 1:9 to about 15:1 filler to UHMWPE by weight; adding the processing plasticizer to the mixture; extruding the mixture to form a sheet from the mixture; calendering the sheet; extracting the processing plasticizer from the sheet to produce a matrix comprising UHMWPE and the filler distributed throughout the matrix; stretching the microporous material in at least one direction to a stretch ratio of at least about 1.5 to produce a stretched microporous matrix; and subsequently calendering the stretched microporous matrix to produce a microporous material which exhibits improved physical and dimensional stability properties over the stretched microporous matrix.

A method for producing a microporous material comprising the steps of: providing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); providing a filler; providing a processing plasticizer; adding the filler to the UHMWPE in a mixture being in the range of from about 1:9 to about 15:1 filler to UHMWPE by weight; adding the processing plasticizer to the mixture; extruding the mixture to form a sheet from the mixture; calendering the sheet; extracting the processing plasticizer from the sheet to produce a matrix comprising UHMWPE and the filler distributed throughout the matrix; stretching the microporous material in at least one direction to a stretch ratio of at least about 1.5 to produce a stretched microporous matrix; and subsequently calendering the stretched microporous matrix to produce a microporous material which exhibits improved physical and dimensional stability properties over the stretched microporous matrix.

The instant invention is a high-density polyethylene composition, method of producing the same, injection molded articles made therefrom, and method of making such articles. The high-density polyethylene composition of the instant invention includes a first component, and a second component. The first component is a high molecular weight ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density in the range of 0.920 to 0.946 g/cm.sup.3, and a melt index (I.sub.21.6) in the range of 1 to 15 g/10 minutes. The second component is a low molecular weight ethylene polymer having a density in the range of 0.965 to 0.980 g/cm.sup.3, and a melt index (I.sub.2) in the range of 30 to 1500 g/10 minutes. The high-density polyethylene composition has a melt index (I.sub.2) of at least 1, a density in the range of 0.950 to 0.960 g/cm.sup.3. The method of producing a high-density polyethylene composition includes the following steps: (1) introducing ethylene, and one or more alpha-olefin comonomers into a first reactor; (2) (co)polymerizing the ethylene in the presence of one or more alpha-olefin comonomers in the first reactor thereby producing a first component, wherein the first component being a high molecular weight ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density in the range of 0.920 to 0.946 g/cm.sup.3, and a melt index (I.sub.21.6) in the range of 1 to 15 g/10 minutes; (3) introducing the first component and additional ethylene into a second reactor; (4) polymerizing the additional ethylene in the second reactor thereby producing a second component, wherein the second component being a low molecular weight ethylene polymer having a density in the range of 0.965 to 0.980 g/cm.sup.3, and a melt index (I.sub.2) in the range of 30 to 1500 g/10 minutes; and (5) thereby producing the high-density polyethylene composition, wherein the high-density polyethylene composition having a melt index (I.sub.2) of at least 1, a density in the range of 0.950 to 0.960 g/cm.sup.3. The injection molded articles according to instant invention comprise the above-described inventive high-density polyethylene composition, and such articles are made via injection molding.